Come up to work

35°56'26.536''S 173°51'59.128''E

Dargaville

Opportunities everywhere

Working in Kaipara offers the chance to build a career without compromising your lifestyle. From dairy farming, horticulture, and forestry to roles in local government, trades, retail, and hospitality - opportunities here are diverse and growing. Hybrid working is common, letting you balance professional ambitions with the freedom of country and coastal living. With Whangārei just 45 minutes away and Auckland 90 minutes south along SH 1, an occasional commute to the major hubs is all you need to keep the wheels turning and opportunities flowing.

Store front with a sign that says "caro with love." Interior visible through sliding glass doors, showing a sofa, shelves, and decorative items. Potted cacti outside to the right of the entrance.

WHERE IDEAS and tenacity CAN WIN BIG

Building a small business in Kaipara means tapping into a community that values local spirit and fresh ideas. Whether you’re opening a stunning new boutique, running a café, operating a farm, or starting a creative venture, there’s space here to grow. With ever increasing visitor numbers, a supportive council, and a “locals backing locals” attitude, it’s the kind of place where you can turn your small business dreams into a thriving reality.

WORK STORIES

Here are a few local industries to inspire you to seek out your next career step in our beautiful communities.

A large industrial building complex surrounded by green countryside with rolling hills and trees.

Fonterra

The Fonterra factory in Maungatūroto stands as a cornerstone of the local economy, employing around 118 people and fostering a strong sense of community.

Barista pouring latte art into a cup in a coffee shop.

Hospitality

The hospitality scene in Kaipara is full of heart and fabulous fresh food. Meet the locals behind the cafés, eateries, and venues bringing warmth, flavour, and unforgettable experiences to this beautiful region.

Interior of a thrift store with clothing racks, shelves of accessories, and scattered furniture like a beige armchair and a coffee table. Several shoppers browse the items, and colorful triangular banners hang overhead.

Local Retail

Op shops, boutiques, supermarkets, DIY stores - between the buzzing new retail centres in Mangawhai and Dargaville’s character-filled high street, Kaipara is full of opportunity.

A man on a blue all-terrain vehicle (ATV) with a large brown and white dog sitting behind him, sitting on a grassy hill with rolling green hills and scattered trees in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Farming

Farming in Kaipara offers hands-on careers in dairy, kumara, and sheep and beef farming. With opportunities for training and growth, it’s a chance to build a rewarding life connected to the land and community.

A man with a beard wearing a black polo shirt standing outdoors next to a potted palm tree, with modern building architecture in the background.

our building INDUSTRY

Construction and trades are among the top sectors for job creation, contributing to nearly half of the district's employment. The building industry in Kaipara is booming, driven by rapid population growth, especially in Mangawhai - one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing towns. And we’re committed to growing in the right way with sustainable initiatives, like the "Building Out Waste" project in Mangawhai, aiming to tackle construction waste.

A person working on a laptop at a wooden table with coffee and desserts, including a slice of cake and a pastry topped with chocolate, along with a polka-dotted cup and a black tray with a coffee drink.

MEET THE LOCALS

WORK TO LIVE, DON’t live to work

Hybrid working means you can log in from a sunny deck, a cosy café, or a home surrounded by rolling hills. Meetings finish, and within minutes you’re walking the beach, picking up fresh produce, or watching the kids play barefoot outside. Here, career ambitions blend naturally with the simple, beautiful pleasures of everyday life.