A Rakaia Gorge farm is opening its doors to highschoolers ahead of its next intern intake.

Coleridge Downs has run their Cadet Programme since 2016, almost ten years, and it has proven a success so far.

Training manager Kristen O’Callaghan said demand to get into the course is at an all-time high.

“We get between 45 and 50 applications a year for the four places,” she said.

“It’s become quite sought after, so you’ve got to be pretty passionate.”

The business operates three farms in the region, totalling over 9500 hectares and running 45,000 stock units.

The cadetship sees four school leavers work a two-year stint on the properties.

They earn a wage and learn all of the skills needed to run a farm.

“They learn general farming skills in their time here, to the point that they’re pretty well trained shepherds when they leave to head out to their new job in two years,” O’Callaghan said.

Cadets learn everything from training heading dogs to doing the paperwork.

Working on a farm like Coleridge Downs takes commitment and persistence, and entry competition is tough.

“We select the best fit, the most ambitious and most passionate young people that will fit our system.”

While it’s not compulsory to attend the open day, O’Callaghan said it’s ideal for serious applicants.

“They need to come and have a look and decide if that’s what they want, and understand what goes on.”

Applicants need to be in year 12 or 13, have at least a restricted licence, and must be on track to having NCEA Level 2.

“Applications open after the open day, in May, and we’ll start the selection process from July through August.

“[By] September we will know who we’ve selected and then they start work early February, 2026.”

by Anisha Satya