New Zealand–Ireland Partnership to Strengthen Calving Season

A new international partnership between New Zealand recruitment firm Max People Ltd and Ireland’s FRS Farm Services is set to open up valuable exchange opportunities for young people in agriculture  and offer meaningful support to Irish farms during their busiest months.

Max People is a specialist recruitment company that places skilled workers across New Zealand. Founded by two Irishmen now based in New Zealand, the company has built a reputation for delivering trusted labour solutions and supporting international workforce development  with deep ties to both the Irish and New Zealand farming sectors.

The initiative comes at a time when the demand for skilled calving season labour is rising in both countries. In the last 2 years Max People have placed over 150 Irish onto New Zealand Dairy farms. The majority of these placements align with the Irish academic calendar, allowing students to travel between January and May. However, this period also coincides with Ireland’s own calving season — during the Northern Hemisphere’s winter and spring — when Irish farms are facing peak labour shortages of their own. While large numbers of Irish workers head to New Zealand each year, very few New Zealand-based workers have historically travelled in the opposite direction. At the same time, New Zealand farms face their own peak labour demand between June and December. This new collaboration between Max People and FRS aims to create a more balanced exchange that supports both sectors when they need it most.

The exchange model will allow young people in New Zealand, including agricultural students, working holidaymakers, and recent school leavers to travel to Ireland between January and May to support Irish calving operations. With FRS’s nationwide presence and Max People’s established host farm networks and deep pool of agricultural candidates, the partnership has the potential to create a direct and sustainable pathway between the two countries.

Candidates on both sides of the exchange will be supported with job placement secured before travel, accommodation arranged in advance, and airport pick-up on arrival. Max People and FRS will also guide applicants through the visa process to ensure a smooth and supported experience, including access to Ireland’s Working Holiday Authorisation scheme — which now provides a clear 12-month pathway for eligible New Zealanders to live and work abroad.

“This isn’t just about filling gaps — it’s about giving back to the Irish industry,” says Trina Moore, Recruitment Manager at Max People. “For years, we’ve had incredible support from Irish ag colleges and families who send students to us for hands-on training and industry experience. Now we’re in a position to offer something in return — structured opportunities for New Zealanders to gain the same kind of seasonal experience on Irish farms.”

With Irish and New Zealand agriculture sharing deep similarities — including pasture-based systems, strong seasonal cycles, and a hands-on, practical approach to training — the time is right to build a formal bridge between the two sectors. While New Zealand offers experience on larger-scale, often highly systemised dairy operations, Ireland presents a unique opportunity to work on smaller, family-run farms where adaptability, personal responsibility, and close teamwork are part of everyday life. For New Zealanders, this means not only gaining international experience, but also developing new perspectives on herd management, animal care, and the community-driven nature of Irish farming. The exchange will offer young agricultural workers the chance to broaden their skill sets, build global connections, and bring fresh ideas home to their own farming careers.

“This is about collaboration, not competition,” Moore says. “We already have a large number of committed host farmers in New Zealand, many of whom would be proud to support a direct exchange and welcome the idea of their son, daughter or farm assistant heading to Ireland to experience dairy farming and travel — while hosting an Irish student in return. The farming world is global — and this is a great example of how we can work together to grow talent across borders.”

“We are delighted to partner with Max People on this exciting new exchange initiative,” said Colette McInerney, Head of Operations at FRS Farm Services. “This collaboration represents a unique opportunity to strengthen ties between Ireland and New Zealand, two countries deeply rooted in agricultural excellence. By creating a two-way pathway for young people to gain hands-on, international farming experience, we’re not only addressing critical seasonal labour needs, but also investing in the future of our industry. We look forward to the many opportunities this partnership will bring for both Irish and New Zealand participants.”

The partnership reflects a broader commitment from both organisations to strengthen the future of the agricultural workforce,not just by filling roles, but by investing in international learning, retention, and the next generation of farming leaders. It’s a practical step toward a more connected, resilient, and future-focused rural economy.

For more information, media enquiries, contact:

Trina Moore

Recruitment Manager, Max People

trina@maxpeople.co.nz

Colette McInerney

Head of Operations, FRS Farm Services

cmcinerney@frscoop.ie

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