Irrigation and Plant Health Manager

• Competitive salary
• Health and life insurance
• Up to 4% Kiwisaver matching

Experience the Best of Both Worlds – Live and Work in Beautiful Kerikeri

THE OPPORTUNITY

This is a newly created role, with the opportunity to make it your own – it’s central to the success of this premium blueberry operation, where getting water, plant health, and environmental conditions right has a direct impact on crop quality and business performance.

Irrigation and fertigation must be carefully managed which means timing, accuracy, and close attention are critical to keeping the crop healthy and productive.

You’ll manage irrigation, fertigation, and venting using modern tunnel systems and Priva technology, making time-sensitive decisions based on climate/weather conditions.

This is a role where details matter. Any issues need immediate attention, and small problems can quickly become major ones if they are missed. You’ll be responsible for plant health, managing pest and disease pressures, and making sure the right action is taken quickly.

Reporting to the Berry Manager, you'll work closely with the Production Manager and lead the crew who help carry out this work, bringing structure to the day, coordinating tasks, and supporting the team to get harvesting and maintenance tasks completed timely.

It’s a great fit for someone who enjoys structure, likes working closely with others, and takes pride in leading consistent, high-quality work that supports a strong crop outcome.

ABOUT US

Pāmu Landcorp Farming Limited is a State-Owned Enterprise with over 110 farms across New Zealand. Our purpose is to lead the delivery of innovative and sustainable agriculture and horticulture solutions for future generations.

Pāmu’s Northland Blueberries 12-hectare tunnel operation sits alongside our 70-hectare avocado orchard in Kerikeri, right in the heart of the Far North. It’s a key part of Pāmu’s growing horticulture business, producing both avocados and berries in a region known for its sunshine, mild climate, and strong growing conditions.

LIVE IN KERIKERI

Living in Kerikeri means enjoying a relaxed lifestyle with beautiful beaches, bush walks, and swimming spots close by. The town has great cafés, markets, and a friendly community feel, making it an easy place to settle in and build a life. It’s the kind of place where you can finish work and be at the beach, on a trail, or at a local eatery within minutes - a perfect mix of work, nature, and balance.

ABOUT YOU

You bring solid experience in irrigation, fertigation, plant health, glasshouse, tunnel house, or indoor growing systems. You know how to monitor conditions, respond quickly when something is off, and make sound decisions that protect plant performance and crop quality.

You like structure and planning, but you’re also able to act quickly when conditions change. You’re comfortable working in a role where timing matters, priorities can shift with the weather, and issues need immediate attention.

Ideally, you’ll have:

• Priva (or similar) experience
• Tractor & sprayer experience
• Growsafe certification
• Approved Handler certification

We’re proud to have a supportive and inclusive culture at Pāmu, and we encourage applications from people who share our values – even if you don’t tick every box.

BENEFITS

We offer a competitive salary package, including health and life insurance, enhanced parental leave benefits, and up to 4% KiwiSaver matching. You'll also receive an extra day of leave over Christmas, plus ongoing training and development.

APPLY NOW 

Applications close midnight 31 May 2026.

For more details about the role, please email – Bill Mahood – Berry Manager: [email protected].

For a copy of the job description, please email Ange Lewis: [email protected].

To be eligible for this role, you must be available for an in-person interview and have unrestricted legal rights to work in New Zealand. We are unable to accept applicants on temporary work visas for permanent opportunities.

Pāmu provides a safe workplace and the successful applicant will be required to pass a drug and alcohol test and undergo a criminal background check prior to being appointed.  

Our values are core to who we are at Pāmu and the way that we all work together.  We are Grounded, Genuine, Bold, and Shoulder-to-Shoulder. To read more, click on this link to see them on our website. To see what it's like to work in our Dairy team, click on this link to see A Day In The Life of a Dairy Assistant at Pāmu, or to learn about what our Livestock team is all about, click on this link to see A Day In The Life of a Shepherd at Pāmu.

Pāmu is the brand name for Landcorp Farming Limited, and successful applicants will be employed by Landcorp Farming Limited.