New Zealand Study Tour
Applications are open and close 5:00pm (AEDT) on Monday, 9 November 2026.
Building global perspective and leadership for the future.
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 Products Federation (ADPF) and the Lions Club of Strezlecki, 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.
The tour has been part of Gardiner’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-March 2027 (dates TBC)
- Eligibility:
- Be aged between 20 and 40 years.
- Hold a valid Australian or New Zealand passport, or ensure you have one by the time of interviews in December 2026.
- Be available to travel around mid-March 2027 (dates TBC).
- Participate in pre-tour induction and networking activities in mid-to-late February 2027, online and/or in person in Melbourne.
- Have been employed full time or part time in the dairy industry, either on or off farm, for at least two years.
- Agree to abide by the tour group code of conduct.
- Agree to proactively engage in future activities with Gardiner Foundation and Australian Dairy Conference.
Note: Applications are welcome from all dairying regions across Australia. Given Gardiner’s remit to invest in the Victorian dairy industry and communities, a majority of selected participants will come from Victoria. The tour is fully funded, but participants may need to cover some costs, such as travel to and from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, where the tour will begin and end.