Caitlin Flack

Growing up in Otautau, a small rural town forty minutes from Invercargill, Caitlin Flack developed an early appreciation for the country lifestyle. As a former student of Central Southland College, her path into agriculture was shaped by a clear and simple motivation: a love for animals and the land. 

Today, as an apprentice at Pāmu, she is turning that lifelong interest into a practical, hands-on career. Caitlin brings a quiet determination to her work. She describes herself as hard working, kind, and motivated. These three traits are essential for anyone wanting to build a lasting career in the primary sector. Her journey into farming did not start on her own family farm, but rather through lending a hand on properties owned by family friends. These early experiences gave her a realistic view of what the job entails and cemented her decision to pursue farming full time. 

Roots in Otautau 

Family plays a massive role in the decisions young people make about their futures. For Caitlin, her parents have been the biggest influence on her career choice. Deciding to enter a physically demanding trade like farming requires resilience, and having a strong support system at home makes a significant difference. 

Her parents have consistently supported her ambitions, encouraging her to stick with the work she is passionate about. This solid backing gave her the confidence to step out of her comfort zone and apply for the apprenticeship programme. Working on local farms in Southland provided a strong foundation. Southland is known for its intensive sheep and beef operations, and learning the ropes in this environment requires a good work ethic. Caitlin learned early on that farming is a lifestyle that demands commitment regardless of the weather or the day of the week.

The Move to Pāmu 

Transitioning from casual work on local farms to a formal apprenticeship is a big step. On her first day at the station, Caitlin admits she felt very nervous. This is a normal reaction to starting a new job, especially one that involves moving to a new property and working with a new team. However, those nerves were quickly overtaken by her excitement to begin. 

The main motivation for Caitlin to join the Pāmu training programme was the clear opportunities it brings. She recognized that to progress in the agricultural industry, practical experience needs to be backed up by formal qualifications. The apprenticeship provides exactly that balance. It allows her to gain her Primary ITO Level 3 and Level 4 papers while continuing to work full time on the land. This combination of classroom learning and physical work aligns perfectly with her long term career goals. 

Mastering Deer and Crutching 

When it comes to the daily work, Caitlin is very clear about where her interests lie. She is highly focused on livestock, specifically sheep, beef, and deer. Working outdoors is demanding, but being around animals is her absolute favourite part of the job. 

During her apprenticeship, Caitlin has set specific goals for the skills she wants to master. She is particularly looking forward to gaining more confidence in working with deer. Deer farming requires a different approach compared to handling sheep or cattle. It involves understanding their specific behaviour, moving them quietly, and working safely in the yards and the shed. 

Alongside deer handling, she is also focused on improving her crutching skills. Crutching is a highly physical and essential task on any sheep and beef property. Developing an efficient technique on the board is crucial for any capable shepherd, and Caitlin is determined to put the work in to get it right. 

Training Dogs and the Outdoors 

Good stockmanship often relies on having a good team of working dogs. While Caitlin does not currently have any dogs of her own, she has a proven talent in this area. Outside of her daily farm duties, training dogs is one of her biggest passions. She has already successfully trained and sold three working dogs. 

Starting a pup and turning it into a capable heading or huntaway dog requires an immense amount of patience, consistency, and an understanding of animal psychology. This achievement speaks volumes about her dedication and her natural ability with animals. When she is not working or training dogs, Caitlin maintains a very active lifestyle. Her hobbies include playing sports, hunting, cooking, and spending time with her friends and family. These interests keep her grounded and physically fit, which is highly beneficial for the demands of station life. 

Learning from Role Models 

In the farming sector, learning from experienced operators is just as important as reading a textbook. Caitlin looks up to her old boss as her main role model in the industry. During her time working for him, she absorbed a massive amount of practical knowledge. 

What stood out to her most was his ability to run a farming operation entirely on his own. He managed everything himself, demonstrating a level of dedication and independence that left a lasting impression on her. Seeing firsthand what it takes to operate a farm single handedly has given Caitlin a clear benchmark for her own work ethic. It showed her the level of responsibility and broad skill set required to be a successful farm manager.