Can you visit a New Zealand sheep farm, ask a farmer questions, and watch a live shearing session—all without leaving your living room? Yes. Virtual agri-tours are making it possible, offering real-time experiences that go far beyond static videos or prerecorded walkthroughs. These tours are interactive, informative, and designed to connect people worldwide with New Zealand’s agricultural life—on demand and in sync with New Zealand time.

Real-Time Access to Rural New Zealand

Virtual agri-tours are built on interaction. Participants don’t just watch—they engage. Using platforms like Zoom and Airbnb Experiences, these sessions take viewers into the heart of rural New Zealand. From high-country sheep stations to mixed-animal farms, the experience is structured to mimic the real-time pace of life on a farm.

A standout experience is Angie Hossack’s “Meet the Sheep & Tour My New Zealand Farm.” Participants are introduced to her Corriedale sheep—each named and with distinct personalities. Beyond introductions, guests see the shearing process, learn about sheep breeds, and get a real sense of how farming works in the South Pacific. The format encourages live questions, comments, and even a few laughs.

Another crowd favorite is the “Animal Farm and Nature Highlights” tour run by Arthur Chin in Palmerston North. Originally from Singapore, Arthur now manages hundreds of sheep, chickens, and kunekune pigs. His 90-minute tour includes trivia games, animal feeding, and a deeper look into the sustainability techniques applied across the property.

A Different Kind of Tour Guide

These aren’t narrated drone shots with calming music. The guides are working farmers. They balance talking to a camera with feeding animals, answering questions, and maintaining a connection with remote viewers. It’s this blend of hands-on realism and digital access that sets these tours apart.

In Wanaka, Mark from Virtual Journeys leads a tour across a high-country farm. This isn’t just about animals—it’s about the landscape, conservation efforts, and local history. The tour is private, customizable, and runs live via Zoom for up to an hour. It’s ideal for anyone who wants to go beyond surface-level sightseeing.

Why People Are Booking

People are drawn to virtual agri-tours for different reasons. For families, they offer an educational break from routine. For companies, they make quirky team-building activities. For travelers who can’t physically visit New Zealand, they provide a way to connect with rural life in real time.

Some common use cases include:

• School classrooms connecting with New Zealand farmers during morning lessons.
• Families abroad giving their children an up-close view of animals they’ve never seen in person.
• Businesses using these tours as creative corporate engagement tools.

And because these experiences are conducted live, they sync with New Zealand time. Whether you’re watching from Toronto or Tokyo, you’ll need to account for the timezone difference to catch the action as it happens.

Not Just Live—Also Educational

Virtual agri-tours aren’t limited to one-time video calls. Several programs use them for long-term education. Farmer Time, a project by Beef + Lamb New Zealand, connects classrooms to farmers on a recurring basis. Every two weeks, primary and intermediate students get to talk directly with their matched farmer via video call. These relationships last through the school year and cover seasonal shifts in farming activities.

For students in city centers, this can be the first exposure to life on a farm. They ask questions, track changes in livestock, and even learn how weather affects operations. While these aren’t full-fledged tours, they are real-time windows into a working environment that’s often distant and unfamiliar.

Going Deeper with Technology

If you’re not available during live sessions, pre-recorded options are also available. Virtual Journeys offers a 360-degree farm tour of their Wanaka property. Accessible via VR headset or regular screen, this immersive experience lets viewers roam the grounds, click on information points, and pause at will. While not interactive in real-time, it’s detailed and flexible enough to serve classrooms or curious individuals looking to explore on their own schedule.

Another offering, “Reducing While Producing,” uses short documentary-style films to highlight how New Zealand farmers are working toward climate goals. These are not virtual tours per se but are structured like them—with narration, interviews, and footage stitched together to show processes in a digestible format.

Lasting Benefits for Farmers and Viewers

Virtual agri-tours started as a response to travel restrictions, but they’ve stuck because they work. Farmers can supplement their income, share their stories, and build global awareness about agriculture. For audiences, the value lies in authentic interaction, access to otherwise unreachable locations, and a deeper understanding of how food is produced.

These aren’t passive media. They are real conversations. When a farmer pauses mid-tour to bottle-feed a lamb or answers a student’s question about fertilizer, it’s unscripted, raw, and memorable.

Best Platforms to Join In

If you’re ready to book or browse, here are the main platforms hosting these experiences:

• Airbnb Experiences – User-friendly booking and reviews make it easy to join tours.
• Zoom-based tours – Usually organized directly through the farm or a local tourism company.
• VirtualJourneys.co.nz – Specializes in rural New Zealand experiences.
• FarmerTime.co.nz – School programs focused on education and regular interaction.

Before joining, check the current New Zealand time to avoid missing your slot. Tours often run at fixed times that match the local schedule, particularly for sunrise or afternoon feeding routines.

Final Thoughts

Virtual agri-tours connect people to a part of New Zealand that’s real, rugged, and often overlooked. With live guides, engaging formats, and options for both live and on-demand viewing, they offer something personal and impactful. Whether for education, entertainment, or curiosity, the farm gate is now just one click away.