Michael Voitl

About Michael Voitl

Professional Summary My goal is to stay in New Zealand with my family for the rest of my life. For that, I will take every job opportunity that helps me get a work visa. I am also willing to work on a voluntary basis until I have my visa. Born on a dairy farm in a small village in Austria, trained as a chef at a young age and having been self-employed running my own restaurant, I am used to prioritizing work instead of leisure time. I have no problem working late or on weekends and holidays. I am able to adapt fast to all different kinds of situations. I have experience working on New Zealand dairy farms on a voluntary basis, mostly in the milkshed and helping with fencing. I really enjoyed the farm work and received positive feedback from managers and colleagues. From 2016 to 2020 I ran my own restaurant called "Fink in der Au" near Vienna, with 120 seats regularly booked during weekends and music events. I managed presentation, menu, purchasing, and employees while working around 90 hours a week. I also worked as a private chef after closing the restaurant due to pandemic lockdowns, staying flexible to travel and gain experiences in various fields. Prior to this, I gained extensive hospitality experience from 1997 to 2016 in different kitchens and restaurants in Vienna and Lower Austria, including working at the 3 Hauben rated restaurant "Triad Machreich". I also organized kitchens for music festivals and cooked for summer camps, gaining the necessary expertise to run my own restaurant. I was born and raised on a family dairy farm where I assisted with herd care, milkshed work, and preparing hay and silage. Though dairy farming differs between Austria and New Zealand, I bring basic knowledge, good animal handling skills, and adaptability. Education Agricultural Skilled Worker Sep 2012 – Apr 2013 Landwirtschaftliche Fachschule Warth / Agricultural College Warth, Austria Completed agricultural studies to be able to run a farm in the future and access European Union funding. Apprenticeship Qualification / Entrepreneur Audit Sep 1994 – May 1997 Gastgewerbeschule St. Poelten / Hospitality Academy St. Poelten, Austria Achieved degree allowing ownership and management of a restaurant and training apprentices. One of the youngest holders of this degree in Austria at 17 years old. Military service completed as proof of three years’ work experience by age 21.