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 Fonterra Te Mātāpuna, 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 Fonterra Te Mātāpuna 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 Fonterra Te Mātāpuna 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
Fonterra Te Mātāpuna is owned collectively by 8,500 farms. That makes us a co-op – we grow together.
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.
Real-life inspiration
Sithum Nanayakkara
Asset Intelligence Engineer
Sithum’s journey into engineering at Fonterra
Discovering the world behind dairy
Originally from Sri Lanka, Sithum moved to Aotearoa to study engineering, knowing little about the full scope of the dairy industry. While he once thought dairy was mainly about farming, joining Fonterra showed him the huge role engineering and technology play behind the scenes of milk processing.
Turning data into real‑world impact
Now an Asset Intelligence Engineer, Sithum helps introduce new digital technologies that improve how equipment is maintained across Fonterra’s sites. His role focuses on using data, automation, and predictive tools to keep machinery running efficiently, and save time and resources.
Backed to learn and grow
Starting out through the engineering graduate programme, Sithum was supported by mentors, buddies, and hands‑on rotations. He was encouraged to ask questions, try new things and step outside his comfort zone. His advice to students is to follow what you love doing, and keep an open mind about where your career could lead. “Once you realise just how massive Fonterra is, you can start to imagine the amount of career opportunity there is here. Even just in manufacturing - it’s just massive. It’s such a big eye opener.”
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!