The Oamaru sharemilker said he employed seven Filipinos and three Kiwis this season to milk his 1700 cows, and next year would increase that to 10 Filipinos and four Kiwis when he moved to a new 2100-cow farm in the Maniototo.
He was not manipulating or taking advantage of cheap labour, as migrant workers are paid the same and given the same conditions as New Zealanders.
Rather, it was their attitude and motivation, which he said was superior to many young New Zealanders he had employed or considered for employment.
He had tired of young people with an attitude of trying to get what they can out of the employer rather than seeing what they can learn from the job.
As a result, Mr Kirkwood favoured employing mature New Zealanders and Filipinos.
Only the most motivated Filipinos made the decision to travel to a foreign country, he said, and to work in an industry which differed greatly from their own.
"They have to succeed. It is a totally different mentality."
Planning for their arrival was vital.
All came with some farming qualifications from the Philippines. But Mr Kirkwood said he spent the first month with plenty of one-on-one training and ensured their accommodation was stocked with food and warm when they arrived.
"The training is pretty basic, but the difference is they thrive on the opportunity, whereas a lot of Kiwis take for granted the future in our industry."
Immigration delays meant his first migrant workers arrived three years ago right on calving, but they soon warmed to the work and the training they were given.
"You know that if you train them, they'll go great guns."
Training was ongoing as were English lessons.
But the biggest obstacle Mr Kirkwood had found was breaking down the employer-employee barrier.
He said the Filipino culture put employers on a pedestal, a position Mr Kirkwood found uncomfortable and impractical when running a farm.
"If I go and wash down the yard after milking they think it is because they haven't done the job correctly."
It was important the employer took an interest in their lives - what was happening back in the Philippines and how they were settling in.
They also reacted favourably to promotion and Neil Molina, who had worked for Greg and Kelly Kirkwood since 2003, would next season manage their new Maniototo farm.
"Going from dairy assistant to shed manager or herd manager is everything and anything."
Mr Kirkwood expected about half his staff would enter the industry's sharemilking system and some could eventually go on to farm management.
Two of his Filipino staff were about to start their third season and next year would be herd and shed managers on the Kirkwood farm.
The Kirkwoods expect to employ 13 to 14 people in the Maniototo, with three working in each of the farm's three dairy sheds and the others working as tractor drivers, managing the run off and other roles.
He was not totally disillusioned with the calibre of Kiwis seeking work in the industry and in the past three months had employed four "mature" New Zealanders, aged over 30.
Mr Kirkwood said there were also success stories with young people and he had staff who had overcome early hardship to advance up the ladder and prove themselves.
A blend of local people with the migrants was important for a smooth transition into the community, helping with such matters as children attending new schools and clubs, in their move into a new area.