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Alex Field

Farm Manager
Waipuna Farm

Leaving the land and his team better than he found them

For Alex Field, farming is about the long game. Whether he is looking at the paddocks he manages or the people he trains, his focus is always on growth and constant improvement. 

Alex started his career working casually during the school holidays at Duncraigen in 2009. While studying at Telford, he put in time at Jericho Station, which led to his first full-time role at Pāmu as a Shepherd General at Wilanda Downs in 2012.  

Today, as part of the team at Waipuna, his daily motivation is straightforward. He wants to be better than he was yesterday and always learn something new. 

"I love watching the improvement of the property, knowing that when I shut the gate the next person will find it better than when I opened it."

Team work makes the dream work

Teamwork is a massive part of keeping Waipuna running well. When looking at Pāmu values, Alex finds it hard to pick just one. He believes you have to aspire to live up to them all to do the job right. 

The Waipuna crew makes sure to acknowledge wins as they happen and celebrate moments of growth. For Alex, watching his staff develop their skills and go on to take on bigger challenges is one of the most rewarding parts of the role. 

"As a small team at Waipuna we are often working closely, being honest with each other and working shoulder-to-shoulder to achieve the most we can."

When the hard work pays off

Farming excellence, for Alex, comes down to constant improvement: planning ahead for the problems the team can control, reacting to the ones it cannot, and reflecting on how to prevent them next time. 

The reality of the job means leaving a warm fire on rainy and snowy days to look after animals and the land. But the payoff makes those cold mornings worthwhile. 

"The best moment is watching the stock truck drive out the gate. Knowing the animal that you fed and watered for months, and all the work that went into it, pays off right there."

The road ahead

Looking to the next five years, Alex sees himself running a large farm with a bigger team or possibly working in the operations space. With two clear paths ahead, Alex knows working at Pāmu gives him the scope to take either, or the skills to make the most of whatever opportunities come his way. 

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