Fonterra Careers

30/10/2025

Meet Sheryl 👋

As Nutritional Business Support Manager at Te Mātāpuna Fonterra, Sheryl believes what truly makes the Co-op special is its people. Every day, she sees how teamwork, trust, and respect come together to create a supportive and balanced workplace.

“The people I work with make any job worthwhile. We’re all here for each other and share the load so no one’s expected to do more than their fair share. There’s a real sense of trust and balance.”

No two days are ever the same for Sheryl. From production planning and people leadership to quality and safety, her role is all about keeping things running smoothly — and supporting her team to do their best work.

Sheryl’s Fonterra journey began at our Waitoa site, where she learned the ins and outs of powder manufacturing. Since then, she’s explored roles across technical and quality teams, and even spent time overseas in our Amsterdam office — before coming full circle back to her roots in manufacturing.

For Sheryl, it’s this inclusive, proactive culture and the great people she works alongside — that make Fonterra such a rewarding place to be.

08/10/2025

Our Waitoa Milk Collection Team farewelled two incredible members of our Depot – Arthur and Neil as they closed a remarkable chapter in their Fonterra journeys.

Neil was part of Fonterra for 20 years, with the last 7 at Waitoa. True to his spirit of challenge, Neil is going to set off on an extraordinary adventure – walking the length of New Zealand alongside his son.

Arthur dedicated 25 years to the Waitoa Depot. He has decided to call time on his career and is looking forward to spending more time with his whānau after an incredible journey on the road with us.

Arthur and Neil’s journeys remind us of what it means to be part of something bigger – bound by whanaungatanga. Every collection made is a story of people, teamwork, and the communities we proudly support, today and into the future.

We wish Neil, Arthur, and their families all the very best in their next chapters 💙

19/09/2025

Meet Jamie, one of our tanker operators helping keep milk moving across Aotearoa New Zealand 💙

Beyond the road, Jamie connects with the community by visiting local schools in Tamura, inspiring curious students and receiving heartfelt letters of thanks. It’s a reminder that meaningful work isn’t just what happens on the job — it’s the impact you have on the people around you.

Over the past year, you might’ve also spotted our Te Mātāpuna tanker. Its design celebrates culture, connection, and community — and it’s been nominated for the Tū Rangatira – Supreme Award at the Ngā Tohu Reo Māori Awards.

17/09/2025

15/09/2025

Māori Language Week is a time to honour and celebrate te reo as a taonga that connects us to culture, identity, and whānau. It’s also a chance to recognise and share the journeys of those embracing and revitalising the language in their everyday lives.

Meet Jeff, who shares how reconnecting with Te Reo Māori has transformed his perspective and deepened his connection to his Māoritanga. Over the past five years, Jeff has been on a haerenga to learn Te Reo Māori alongside his Dad and close friends, an experience he describes as uplifting, fulfilling, and life-changing.

For Jeff, it’s not just about learning the language — it’s about weaving whakapapa, tikanga, and whakaaro Māori into his everyday mahi. Whether it’s teaching colleagues kupu, connecting through kai with karakia, or championing “It’s cool to kōrero,” Jeff is passionate about showcasing the richness of Te Ao Māori in the workplace.

Watch Jeff’s story and hear his journey 🌟

12/09/2025

03/09/2025

We’re proud to announce our new partnership with Science Olympiad NZ, supporting their national STEM programmes as part of our Careers in Dairy kaupapa!

This partnership opens doors for students across Aotearoa New Zealand to explore advanced science and connect with real-world careers in dairy. With a focus on equity, this partnership will expand access for Māori, Pasifika, and rural students across Aotearoa.

Together, we’re inspiring the next generation of scientists, innovators, and problem-solvers.

Learn more about the partnership in the link here: bit.ly/46hYDVE

02/09/2025

Did you know our New Zealand Manufacturing stores stock up to 9,000 parts on the shop floor, depending on the size of the site?

For Le-Anne, one of our inventory specialists, managing this extensive inventory isn’t just about numbers, it’s about making sure the right parts are in the right place at the right time to keep our factories running smoothly.

She loves the challenge of problem-solving in such a fast-paced environment and says the best part is being surrounded by a supportive team that drives her to keep growing every day💙

29/08/2025

We’re excited to be part of the Te Arawa Arataua Māori Agribusiness Summit on 3rd & 4th September 2025. Come and have a kōrero with us – we’d love to connect, share stories, and explore opportunities together. See you there! 👋

13/08/2025

06/08/2025

We're excited to welcome Wiremu back to FRDC (Fonterra Research and Development Centre) this summer! 🙌

Supported through our partnership with the Pūhoro STEMM, Wiremu joined us last summer to explore the world of dairy and data. That experience helped shape his career direction and now he’s returning to lead his own project, designing an in-house database powered by AI, Large Language Models, and coding.

Incredible to see how young Māori talent like Wiremu are imagining tomorrow and driving innovation forward.

21/07/2025

Ever wondered if it's too late to start a new career? 🌟 Meet Anna, a solo mum and proud Māori wāhine who's proving that it's never too late to follow your passion. From an admin job to an apprentice fitter at Fonterra, Anna is showing us that with determination and the right support, anything is possible 🚀

Anna's story is a reminder that your next chapter is yours to write. Whether you're interested in trades or exploring new fields, don't let self-doubt hold you back. As Anna says, "If you're excited about it - that's enough. You've got nothing to lose."
Ready to take the leap? Discover how you can start building your future at Fonterra.

🔗 Apply for apprenticeships and learn more here: https://careers.jobsformums.co.nz/company/fonterra