Libby Meredith

Libby Meredith grew up with the daily routines of a dairy farm shaping her early years in Upper Atiamuri. The early morning starts, the commitment to animal welfare, and the seasonal rhythms of the Waikato dairy sector provided her with an excellent foundation. Attending St Paul's Collegiate, she naturally gravitated towards agricultural studies in the classroom, knowing early on that her future lay outdoors. Today, as an apprentice with Pāmu, she is taking her lifelong passion for animals and applying it to a completely new range of farming systems. 

Describing herself as caring, funny, and positive, Libby brings a highly constructive attitude to the demands of rural life. For her, working outdoors is the ultimate environment because it keeps her active, surrounds her with fresh air, and allows her to work closely with animals every single day. 

Roots in the Dairy Sector 

The influence of family is central to Libby’s story. Her father is her absolute role model in the industry, and his specific path into agriculture provides a highly inspiring benchmark. He did not grow up on a farm himself. Instead, he made a major career change later in life, stepping into the primary sector with no previous agricultural experience. 

Starting from scratch, he demonstrated exactly what commitment looks like in farming. By putting in the hard work and remaining dedicated to the trade, he eventually became highly successful and now owns his own dairy farm. Watching this journey gave Libby a clear blueprint for her own career. It proved to her that a strong work ethic and a continuous willingness to learn are the most valuable tools a young farmer can possess. Her father not only gave her early practical experiences but also actively encouraged her to apply for the apprenticeship to broaden her horizons. 

The Move to Pāmu 

Stepping away from the familiar environment of the family farm to join a formal training programme is a significant decision. Encouraged by her family and her friends, Libby applied for the apprenticeship to challenge herself. Arriving on her first day at the station, she experienced the typical mix of being super nervous and highly excited. However, those initial nerves faded within a few hours as she got to know the team and felt the welcoming culture of the property. 

What drew her to Pāmu was the sheer scale and the immense variety of the overall operation. She saw the opportunity to experience a very broad range of farming systems outside of the dairy sector she already knew. She also highly values the strong support system provided by the organisation. She notes that the management team actively backs their staff to progress, providing the necessary support for anyone who shows a genuine desire to grow in their role. 

Expanding from Dairy to Drystock 

Until joining the apprenticeship, Libby had exclusively worked in the dairy sector. The routines of a milking shed are vastly different from the daily operations on a sheep and beef station. This complete change in direction is exactly what she wanted. She currently views her future interests as a fifty fifty split between dairy and livestock, keeping her options completely open as she gains more varied experience. 

During her time on the station, she is highly focused on mastering the new practical skills required for drystock farming. She lists crutching, general stock handling, fencing, and yard work as her main priorities. Crutching requires specific physical technique, while effective yard work relies heavily on reading the flight zones of the sheep and cattle. Alongside these physical tasks, she is keen to expand her understanding of animal health and overall livestock management. Mastering these areas will make her a highly capable all rounder, comfortable in any agricultural setting. 

Beyond the Farm Gate 

A sustainable career in farming requires a good balance of work and personal interests. Libby makes the most of the rural lifestyle by spending her time outside of work hunting, fishing, and camping. She is deeply passionate about horses and dogs, indicating a natural talent for working with animals of all sizes. 

While she does not currently own a team of working dogs, her affinity for animals suggests it will be a natural step if she chooses the drystock path permanently. Training a good heading dog or huntaway takes immense patience, a trait she already applies to her daily work. Alongside her outdoor pursuits, she keeps active by playing sports and enjoys spending time baking and hanging out with her friends. These varied interests ensure she remains grounded and energized for the demands of the working week on the station. 

Looking to Farm Management 

Looking to the future, Libby has set clear and achievable milestones for her career. Her immediate goal is to successfully complete her Primary ITO Level 3 and Level 4 certificates. Gaining these formal qualifications will cement the practical knowledge she is building on the farm every day. She wants to reach a point where she has absolute confidence in her own knowledge, allowing her to tackle complex everyday farm tasks entirely on her own. 

Over the next five years, she plans to use this educational foundation to step into a higher leadership role. Her ultimate dream is to become a farm manager. Whether that management role ends up being in a large rotary dairy shed or on a sprawling drystock station remains to be seen, but she is currently laying the best possible groundwork for either outcome.