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Ashlan Jones

Pāmu Farm Apprentice
Aratiatia Farm

Aspiring Shepherd with a Passion for the Hills

Growing up on a small sheep and beef farm in Hurleyville, Taranaki, it’s no surprise that Ashlan Jones feels right at home on the hills. From a young age, she’s been surrounded by livestock and inspired by the rhythm of rural life.

“I’ve always liked working with stock,” Ashlan says. “My dad really encouraged me to do what I love—and that’s farming.”

Ashlan joined the Pāmu Apprenticeship Programme to build on her practical experience and take her skills to the next level. Before starting with us, she’d already clocked up hours helping on the family farm and doing casual station work. Now, she’s set her sights on becoming a head shepherd.

She’s currently working on a hill country station and soaking up as much knowledge as she can. 

“I’m most excited to be learning alongside others who are also just starting out,” she says. “And I really want to make sure that the skills I’ve already got are sharpened up and done well.”

Ashlan has a strong interest in sheep and beef farming and dreams of working with a team of dogs on a big station. She’s already started building that dream—her young huntaway pup Fleur is her companion and future working mate.

Outside of farming, Ashlan loves riding horses over hill country and spending time with friends. She describes herself as kind, reliable, and trustworthy, and says one of her favourite things about the job is simply not being stuck inside behind a computer.

In five years’ time, she hopes to be showing others how to farm and giving back to the community that’s supported her journey.

At Pāmu, we’re proud to support apprentices like Ashlan—people with passion, grit, and a clear drive to grow New Zealand’s future farming leaders.

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