What is this sector about?
Primary industries rely on plant and animal resources to create products, raw materials and other goods. This includes agriculture, horticulture, forestry, fisheries, aquaculture, equine, and viticulture.
No matter what part of the sector you choose to work in, you’re contributing to an important and sustainable sector that’s one of New Zealand’s biggest employers and biggest exporters.
Careers in this sector involve…
- Growing things
- Working with animals
- Working outside
- Physical work
- Using equipment and machinery
- Science and research
- Using business skills
- Interacting with the environment?
If so, a career in this sector might be right for you!
Areas of speciality may include…
- Biodiversity
- Animal health
- Business and consulting
- Water management
- Pest management
- Research and development
- Food supply and processing
- Agri-technology
- ICT
Waikato Dairy Snapshot
More than 350,000 New Zealanders, or one in seven people, are employed in this sector, contributing over $46.4 billion in export revenue and accounting for 11% of New Zealand’s GDP (Ministry for Primary Industries, year ended June 2019).
Waikato is home to many clever agri-tech businesses designing and developing innovative, world-leading technology in areas such as animal health and herd improvement to food processing and environmental sciences.
New Zealand produces 3% of all the world’s milk. Dairy farming contributed 34% ($19.7 billion) of New Zealand’s earnings from export merchandise in 2019-2020 (dairynz.nz)
The dairy farming industry employs more than 10,000 people in Waikato; and more than 20,000 people are employed in primary and related industries in our region. (mbie.govt.nz)
Smarter Futures: Food and Farming
There is a global demand for low carbon safe food with high nutritional value, which provides massive opportunities now and into the future. Waikato has always been innovative in this sector – many of New Zealand’s leading agri-science research facilities are based here. Opportunities will include innovative technologies to foster efficient and new ways of operating sustainably.
Forestry in the Waikato
The forestry and wood processing sector is a substantial contributor to New Zealand’s economy and society. Wood products are New Zealand’s third largest export earner, behind dairy and meat.
The sector contributes over $6.9 billion in export revenue and accounts for 1.6% of New Zealand’s GDP. The environmental, community and social benefits of forests are being increasingly recognised. (mpi.govt.nz)
Did you know?
New Zealand produced 10.6 million native tree seedlings in 2020.
Plant nurseries employ more than 3000 people throughout New Zealand, and contribute $334m to the economy.
Plants and trees in our urban areas help improve health and wellbeing, control temperature, reduce air pollutants, regulate water flow, and absorb carbon emissions.
(ppi.co.nz)
Agriculture
The science and practice of cultivating soil, growing crops, and raising animals for food, fiber, and other products.
Growing plants and raising animals for food and other stuff we need.
Horticulture
The branch of agriculture that deals with the art, science, technology, and business of growing and maintaining plants, particularly fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants.
Growing and taking care of plants, fruits, veggies, flowers, and pretty plants.
Forestry
The science and practice of managing, conserving, and cultivating forests and woodlands for sustainable resource extraction, ecological health, and recreation.
Managing and taking care of forests for wood, wildlife, and fun activities.
Fisheries
The industry and practice of catching, processing, and selling fish and other aquatic organisms from natural and cultivated sources.
Catching and selling fish and other sea creatures.
Aquaculture
The controlled cultivation of aquatic organisms such as fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and aquatic plants for commercial purposes.
Farming fish and other water animals and plants.
Equine
Relating to the breeding, raising, training, and care of horses.
Raising and caring for horses.
Viticulture
The science and practice of cultivating grapevines for the production of grapes, particularly for winemaking.
Growing grapes, especially for making wine.
Primary Qualifications
Whether you are looking to study at the University of Waikato or Wintec, qualification options include…
University of Waikato
- Bachelor of Business Studies (BBus) (Agribusiness)
- Bachelor of Management Studies with Honours (BMS(Hons)) (Agribusiness)
- Bachelor of Science (BSc)
- Bachelor of Science (Aquaculture) (BSc) Tauranga Campus
Vision College
- NZ Certificate in Primary Industry Skills (Level 2)
Wintec
- NZ Diploma in Dairy Processing (Level 6)
- Applied Horticultural Services (Level 3)
- Advanced Horticultural Trades (Level 4)
- NZ Certificate in Aboriculture (Level 5)
- Bachelor of Technology (Science)
Aquaculture
The aquaculture sector offers significant growth potential for New Zealand, creating regional jobs, supporting related industries, and boosting export earnings for local communities and the economy.
28% of New Zealand’s Pacific Oysters and 23% of our Green Shell mussels are farmed in the Coromandel (aquaculture.org.nz).
Study a BSc majoring in Aquaculture at the University of Waikato’s Tauranga campus.
Sources: careers.govt.nz, beehive.govt.nz, Hays Salary Guide 2021, New Zealand Herald, nzrecreation.org.nz, seek.co.nz, sportnz.org.nz, Toi Māori Aotearoa, waikato.ac.nz, wecreate.org.nz, wintec.ac.nz, youthguarantee.education.govt.nz
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