Big volume, big need
At peak, we collect 89.7 million litres of milk every day – that's over 35 Olympic pools. We need a huge team to move it.
Students - Grass to Glass
From grass to glass and beyond
Explore what careers in dairy are out there and where STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) can take you.
What does it take to turn grass into milk, and milk into world-class products on shelves around the world? At Te Mātāpuna Fonterra, more than 17,000 people help make it happen, from farmers to food technologists, scientists to tanker drivers, software engineers to packaging experts. As a student, this page helps you explore the big picture: where your learning connects to real careers, and how you could one day help feed the world. Learn more about the Grass to Glass experience here.
Why Te Mātāpuna Fonterra needs people like you
Big volume, big need
At peak, we collect 89.7 million litres of milk every day – that's over 35 Olympic pools. We need a huge team to move it.
Across Aotearoa
With 28 sites and 65 stores across NZ, there's probably a Te Mātāpuna Fonterra site near you – from rural towns to big cities.
Global reach
95% of our dairy is exported to over 140 countries – your work here can feed the world.
Powered by co-op farms
Te Mātāpuna Fonterra is owned collectively by 8,500 farms. That makes us a co-op – we grow together.
From paddock to product – where you could fit in
- Discover roles like Environmental Advisor, Food Technologist and Research Scientist.
- No two days are the same – you could be in a lab, factory, or field.
- STEM skills open doors across the dairy sector – from sustainability to logistics.
- Te Mātāpuna Fonterra supports early careers with apprenticeships, grad programmes, and internships.
- Careers range from AI specialists to Heavy Automotive Engineers.
- You don’t need to grow up on a farm to have a career in dairy.
Real careers, real people
Apply for scholarships
- Explore scholarships and funding support that can help you study and take the next step towards a dairy career.
- Food Technology Scholarships x9 - For students enrolled in their first year of a Bachelor of Food Technology with Honours at Massey University.
- Pasifika Undergraduate Scholarship x1 - For Pasifika students enrolled in their first year of undergraduate studies at Massey University in a science or technology degree.
- Māori Food Technology Scholarship x1 - For Māori students enrolling in their first year of a Bachelor of Food Technology with Honours undergraduate studies at Massey University.
- Pūhoro Scholarships x2 - Available only to Pūhoro STEM academy students.
What’s next?
Test your smarts, learn with Milkie
Jump straight into the quiz and see how much you really know about the world of dairy. It’s a quick, fun way to test your smarts—and discover something new along the way.
More to come soon… this is just the beginning!