News
Read about the employment market, interesting job opportunities in the primary sector and keep up to date with what’s happening at New Zealand’s best primary sector recruitment company.
Salary Survey: Strong Engagement and Growing Insights Across the Primary Sector
April 2026
As we close in on the first quarter of 2026, we are really encouraged by the strong response and engagement we have seen so far with our Salary Survey. It’s clear there is a strong demand across the primary sector for reliable, transparent and real-time remuneration data, reflected in the average of 35 new data entries we are receiving each week.
One of the key developments this year has been the introduction of total package benefit values.
Building Strong Primary Sector Teams Starts with the Right People
March 2026
Strong primary sector businesses are built on capable, committed teams. The people working on the land, managing operations, and supporting business decisions all play a critical role in long-term success. Because of this, recruitment should never be treated as a simple transaction.
Finding the right person for a role is about much more than matching a CV to a job description.
Understanding Minimum Wage Obligations
January 2026
Employing staff comes with a range of responsibilities, and one of the most important is ensuring wages meet New Zealand’s minimum employment standards. With recent and upcoming changes to the minimum wage on 1st April 2026, it’s critical that employers understand what compliance looks like in practice where salaried roles, long hours, and accommodation are involved.
Rural Directions Salary Survey
December 2025
At Rural Directions, our focus in 2025 has been on strengthening what matters most: delivering a recruitment experience built on integrity, trust, and a genuine connection to New Zealand’s primary sector.
A key part of this commitment is ensuring job seekers feel valued, informed, and well prepared throughout the recruitment process.
A Pathway to Professional Farm Management and Beyond
December 2025
The demands on people working in the primary sector are shifting quickly and staying ahead means continually developing your skills and experience. The suggested pathway below outlines how someone might progress toward becoming a professional drystock manager. Everyone’s starting point is different, so you can step in wherever matches your background and experience.
The Rise of AI in Recruitment
October 2025
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming industries across the globe, and recruitment is no exception. From automated CV screening and chatbots answering job seeker queries, to predictive analytics identifying potential hires, AI is streamlining processes and saving businesses valuable time. On the surface, this seems like a win–win: faster placements, reduced administration, and more efficient hiring however there is a flipside.
Rural Directions Hawke’s Bay Shepherd of the Year Award 2025
September 2025
Now in its seventh year of sponsorship, the Rural Directions Shepherd of the Year Award continues to recognise the vital role shepherds play within New Zealand’s primary sector. Shepherds are a key link in the supply chain, with their daily work directly influencing animal welfare, farm performance, and the quality of product leaving the farm gate.
The role of the modern shepherd has evolved well beyond traditional stock work.
Farm Assurance & the People Piece
September 2025
NZFAP Plus is becoming a regular topic of conversation with our farming clients as more businesses embark on the journey to enhance the management practices of people, stock, natural resources and biosecurity.
At Rural Directions we are well-informed on the requirements of NZFAP Plus because of our own farm investments and our sister company MyEnviro.
20 Years in Business
August 2025
Back in 2005, we had a lightbulb moment… what if we didn’t just help shepherds find their next job but supported their career paths?
Some traditional farmers scratched their heads and said, “What the hell are you on about?”, but to me, it was clear. If we wanted to attract and retain great people in our industry, we had to start treating them as assets, not liabilities.
Safety Tips for the Winter
July 2025
Life on the farm offers plenty of fulfilment, but it also comes with serious risks. From manoeuvring heavy equipment to managing unpredictable animals or dealing with chemicals, staying safe demands constant vigilance. Add to the mix wet and wild weather conditions, and farming can be a very hazardous job! Making safety a top priority and sticking to established safety procedures can dramatically lower the chances of injury.