About The Big Deer Tour

Deer Industry New Zealand is focused on providing future rural professionals with an opportunity to get to know what the deer industry has to offer. Deer numbers are growing in New Zealand and farmers are increasingly seeking expert assistance with integrated management decisions to improve their productivity, profitability and environmental compliance.

Deer Industry New Zealand (DINZ) is an industry-good, levy-funded organisation with a small, diverse team skilled in marketing, research, advocacy, communications, farm production, quality assurance and culinary development. We work with deer farmers, processors and marketers to promote a profitable and confident deer industry. Our office is based in Wellington.

Passion2Profit is a Primary Growth Partnership between the New Zealand farmed deer industry and the Ministry for Primary Industries. Passion2Profit aims to improve the profitability of the New Zealand farmed deer industry.

The Big Deer Tour will show a small group of students the deer industry from top to bottom, it will offer participants the chance to see what makes the deer industry special and to meet professionals providing services to this sector.

2022 Dates:

The Big Deer Tour will take place from Tuesday 19th April to Friday 22nd April 2022.

The chosen students will have costs for transport and accommodation covered. Each student will also receive a $200 allowance to cover additional expenses.

Applicants will be students studying toward completing a masters or degree in an agricultural related discipline that will lead to a qualification appropriate to employment in the agricultural sector. Deer Industry NZ will also be willing to consider individual recommendations from industry contacts.

Applicants will be selected based on:

1. Academic grades
2. Relevant course of study
3. A written submission on why they would like to take part in the programme
4. Two written references, either character or employment

Eligible applicants will be considered by a selection panel comprising the Passion2Profit Manager - Farm Performance and the DINZ Producer Manager. Please note that the awarding of the placement is entirely at the discretion of the selection panel. The panel will respect the confidentiality of all information provided by applicants.

Applications are now open and will close on midday 12pm Friday 01 April 2022. Successful applicants will be notified by Tuesday 05 April 2022.

Please note applicants must be available to travel either side of the tour start and end dates if required.

Covid-19 Protection Framework and DINZ Operations under “Traffic Lights”

Deer Industry New Zealand is committed to doing everything we can to keep our people and our industry safe from Covid-19. Vaccination is the best method for limiting the impact of Covid-19. For Deer Industry NZ and NZ Deer Farmers Association run events, applicants must be fully vaccinated and hold a current my vaccine pass in order to attend this event.

Please note, covid risk will be monitored and the tour may be subject to change at any time. 

Applicants must apply in writing (letter or email) explaining why they would like to take part in the programme and why they feel they would be the most suitable applicant. They must also submit their record of academic transcript along with two written references which can be character or employment related. A Covid-19 my vaccine pass will also need to be verified.

Completed applications should be submitted to:

Rob Aloe
Project Manager
Deer Industry New Zealand
PO Box 10702
The Terrace
Wellington
Email: rob.aloe@deernz.org
Phone: 04 473 4500