New Zealand Study Tour
Building global perspective and leadership for the future of dairy.
The Gardiner Foundation New Zealand Study Tour is an annual program that offers emerging dairy leaders a unique opportunity to explore global dairy systems, connect with peers and industry leaders, and grow their leadership potential.
Delivered with the support of the Australian Dairy Conference (ADC), Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) and the Australian Dairy Products Federation (ADPF), the eight-day tour visits leading dairy operations across New Zealand’s South Island, one of the world’s most productive and progressive dairying regions.
Since its inception, the tour has been part of Gardiner Foundation’s long-standing commitment to investing in people and developing leadership capability across the Victorian dairy industry and beyond.
Key Aims of the Tour
The tour is designed to:
- Facilitate strong networks between young dairy professionals and key industry stakeholders
- Increase exposure to diverse dairy systems and on-farm innovation
- Explore the real-world challenges facing New Zealand dairy
- Showcase global industry models and leadership pathways
- Strengthen participants’ leadership skills and inspire future engagement in the industry
Leadership development is central to the program. Throughout the tour, participants engage with leaders across the NZ dairy sector and are expected to apply their learnings through active involvement in leadership roles within the dairy industry and dairy communities upon return.
Key Details
- Tour duration: 8 days
- Location: South Island, New Zealand
- Timing: Mid-to-late March (dates TBC)
- Eligibility:
- Aged 18–40
- Australian resident with a current passport
- Employed in the dairy industry (on or off-farm)
- Willing to participate in pre-tour activities and post-tour leadership engagement
- Able to travel from and return to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport
While the tour is fully funded, participants may be responsible for incidental travel costs to and from Melbourne.