At Smedley Station, your classroom is 5,660 hectares of real working farmland. You’ll learn by doing — building practical, work-ready skills that prepare you for life in modern farming. With only 13 cadets selected each year, Smedley combines hands-on farm experience, practical learning, and real responsibility in a supportive rural environment.
Get a glimpse into life at Smedley Station — where cadets live, learn, and work together on a real working farm.
Smedley is designed for young people who:
Applicants must:
You don’t need to come from a farming background — just a genuine interest in agriculture and a willingness to work hard.
Smedley is one of New Zealand’s most respected agricultural training farms, offering a unique two-year cadetship programme.
You’ll live on-site, train alongside your peers, and gain hands-on experience across sheep, cattle, and deer farming while working towards NZQA-accredited qualifications.
At Smedley, you don’t just learn about farming — you become part of a real working farm environment where responsibility and practical experience go hand in hand.
At Smedley, cadets gain hands-on experience across a wide range of farming operations while working on 5,660 hectares of real working farmland.
Training combines practical on-farm learning with formal study through Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT), Hawkes Bay Campus, helping cadets build the skills, confidence, and work ethic needed for a future in modern agriculture.
Cadets gain experience in:
Training is structured around the farming calendar, allowing cadets to apply what they learn in real-world situations throughout the year.
Cadets also complete NZQA-recognised agricultural training delivered through Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT), Hawkes Bay Campus. Those who successfully complete all academic requirements will achieve:
Throughout the programme, cadets are supported by experienced staff and mentors while developing the practical capability, confidence, and independence required to succeed in the agricultural industry.
Smedley is more than training — it’s a lifestyle and community.
Cadets live on-site and work closely together throughout the two-year programme. New cadets are paired with second-year cadets to help them settle in and build confidence early on.
Teamwork, camaraderie, and shared experiences are a huge part of life at Smedley, and many cadets form lifelong friendships during their time here.
Accommodation and meals are fully provided as part of the cadetship.
You live, learn, and work together on station — and pretty quickly Smedley starts to feel like a big family.
“When I was still in primary school I knew someone who attended Smedley and from there on out it was always my dream. Alongside the practical skills I gained that I will always carry with me, what has stood out since leaving Smedley is all the other skills that weren’t necessarily front of mind while I was there – things like resilience, learning to work with so many different personalities, and confidence. It really does set up the foundation for the rest of your career. Having that background helped me throughout my degree as I was able to apply the practical to theory. Now I use those skills day-to-day at Rabobank interacting with clients. The foundation helps me to relate with them, and have genuine discussions about the farm – it is one of my favourite parts of the role.”
Ready to join Smedley?
Applying for Smedley is more than simply completing a form. From attending an Open Day to the interview process, each step is designed to help you decide whether life at Smedley is right for you. Here’s what to expect.
Orientation Days are held in June each year.
You’ll have the opportunity to:
– Visit the farm
– Meet staff and cadets
– Learn more about the programme
– Ask questions about life at Smedley
Anyone intending to apply for a cadetship is strongly encouraged to attend an Open Day. Families are also welcome.
Applications are completed online through the Smedley website.
Applications for the 2026 intake close:
Monday, 6th July 2026
Selected applicants will be invited to interviews on Wednesday 12th and Thursday 13th August 2026.
All applicants will be advised whether or not they have been selected for interview.
The cadetship begins in mid-January and runs through to December each year.
Successful applicants begin a two-year journey combining practical farm work, learning, responsibility, and personal growth.
Take the next step towards a future in farming.
Applications are completed online using our application form.
If you’re unable to complete the online application form, you can contact us directly for assistance or request a hard copy application form.
Smedley Station
1153 Smedley Road
Tikokino, RD 4
Central Hawke’s Bay 4274
New Zealand
Manager: Greg Crombie
Phone: (06) 856 5725
Email: smedley@publictrust.co.nz
Applicants must be at least 16 years old and under 20 at the time of applying.
Smedley is designed specifically for school leavers and young people starting their farming careers, so it’s ideal if you’re finishing school and want a hands-on pathway into agriculture.
Yes. Open Days are held annually in June.
They usually run from 2:00pm to 4:30pm and give you a full introduction to the cadetship.
👉 Attendance is strongly encouraged for all applicants.
Check out the home page for the next open days.
No — you don’t need prior farming experience to apply.
Smedley is designed to teach you from the ground up, combining:
What matters most is your attitude, willingness to learn, and interest in farming.
Smedley Station is a charitable trust, managed by Public Trust. It operates as a working commercial farm, with income supporting the cadet training programme. While there are no course fees to become a Smedley cadet, you will need to invest in your own saddle and working dog. The good news is that we will contribute towards these costs. Hostel accommodation and food is provided free of charge. While you’re training, you’ll receive a weekly allowance and an annual clothing allowance. You may be eligible for a Student Allowance, depending on government criteria.
Smedley provides working horses as part of the programme, although cadets will need their own saddle. A subsidy is provided to help with this cost.
As cadets progress through the programme, working dogs become part of training. Smedley helps cadets source suitable dogs and contributes towards feed, vet costs, and purchase support.
Smedley accepts a limited number of cadets each year to maintain a hands-on and supportive learning environment.
Selection is based on attitude, willingness to learn, work ethic, and genuine interest in agriculture — not just previous farming experience.