Published on 28 Oct 2025

Building a Resilient Dairy Workforce: Strategic Solutions for Long-Term Sector Growth

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Craig Griffiths Innovation + Engagement Lead Contact me

Allen + Clarke partnered with DairyNZ to help address a critical workforce shortage in New Zealand's dairy industry. COVID-19 border restrictions and government visa reductions had doubled the annual shortfall of on-farm roles from 2,000 to 4,000 positions. Using a Human Centred Design approach, we engaged with stakeholders to identify key challenges and co-design practical solutions that would make the sector more attractive to domestic talent, reducing reliance on immigrant workers. 

The Human Centred Design approach revealed insights that might have been missed through traditional consultation, particularly around the emotional aspects of faring identity and career aspirations. Engaging directly with a broad cross-section of stakeholders, ensured the solutions identified were practical, implementable and had strong sector buy-in. 

The Human Centred Design and Sprint based methodology delivered a robust, actionable plan within tight timeframes despite seasonal constraints and by addressing both structural and cultural elements, our recommendations tackled immediate workforce shortages while laying groundwork for long-term sector resilience. 

Our action plan gave DairyNZ practical steps to build workforce resilience that went beyond traditional solutions. By involving farmers, industry bodies and potential workers in the design process, we developed recommendations that people were ready to implement.

Design Thinking in Action

We designed and delivered a Human Centred Design approach to help develop DairyNZ's 'Great Futures in Dairying' Plan. 

Problem Definition - we conducted 32 on-farm interviews across New Zealand and 15 off-farm interviews with stakeholders including school leavers, training organisations, milk co-ops, banks and government ministries. This allowed us to generate approximately 650 key insights which were distilled into 12 themes and 24 design challenges. 

Ideation - we facilitated six workshops across different regions and with diverse sector participants to generate innovative, practical and industry-informed solutions that addressed the identified challenges. 

Prototyping and reporting - we tested and refined selected concepts with stakeholders and developed final recommendations for DairyNZ's 'Great Futures in Dairying' Plan. 

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Transforming Challenges into Opportunities

Our Human Centred Design approach uncovered the emotional side of farming - how identity, pride and career aspirations shape workforce decisions. This deeper understanding helped us create solutions that not only addressed immediate staffing shortages but also built a foundation for lasting change in how the dairy sector attracts and retains talent. 

Our analysis revealed several interconnected challenges requiring tailored solutions: 

  • Generational Gap - new pathways for succession and alternative ownership models were needed. 

  • Farm Resource Constraints - smaller farms required support to achieve economies of scale through resource sharing and staff syndication. 

  • Compliance Complexity - growing administrative burdens demanded collective approaches. 

  • Working Conditions - traditional practices needed modernisation including improved accommodation, and flexible working arrangements. 

  • Skills Development - leadership and people management gaps required targeted training programmes and mentoring systems. 

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Interconnected coloured pathways forming abstract network diagram

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