Rural Support Trust - Te Tai Tokerau

09/10/2026

Today is World Mental Health Day: 10 Oct 2026

Sometimes support starts with something as simple as a conversation.

If things are feeling tough, or you just need someone who understands rural life to listen, Rural Support Trust is here. Our local teams offer free, confidential support to farmers, growers and rural communities across Aotearoa.

You do not need to have everything figured out before you reach out.
📞 0800 787 254
rural-support.org.nz

07/10/2026

SURFING FOR FARMERS IS BACK FOR 2026!
Registrations are now open for another season of waves, yarns and a bit of time away from the farm.

Surfing for Farmers is a great opportunity to get outdoors, meet others from your local rural community and take some time for yourself -whether you're a regular surfer or keen to give it a go.

It’s FREE to join! 🙌

Surfing for Farmers is back for 2026! 🌊🏄

Registrations are officially OPEN on our brand spankin’ new website! Find your local crew and get yourself signed up for another season of waves, yarns and a bit of time away from the farm.

Even if you joined us last season, you’ll need to register again for 2026.

It’s completely FREE and easier than ever. Just choose your location, fill in your details and a few essentials to keep everyone safe. Once you’re registered, your local coordinator will be in touch with everything you need to know, and you can go from there.

Register now 👉 https://forfarmers.co.nz/find-your-local/

07/10/2026

I’M GOOD… ARE YOU? WITH WILLIE APIATA VC 🇳🇿

Rural Support is bringing Willie Apiata VC to two special events in our region.

Willie, one of New Zealand’s Victoria Cross recipients, has faced situations many of us couldn’t imagine. His insights into looking out for yourself, your mates and those around you are relatable to everyone.

📍 Aotea / Great Barrier Island
📅 Tuesday 27 October
🕕 6pm pōwhiri & shared kai
🕖 7pm event starts
📌 Kawa Marae

🎟️ Register here:
https://events.humanitix.com/i-m-good-are-you-with-willie-apiata-aotea-oct-27

📍 Waitangi
📅 Wednesday 28 October
🕡 6.15pm guests arrive & whakatau
🕖 7pm event starts
📌 Tahuaroa Room, Waitangi Treaty Grounds

🎟️ Register here:
https://events.humanitix.com/i-m-good-are-you-with-willie-apiata-waitangi-oct-28

Recommended for ages 16+.

Come along, hear Willie’s story and be part of an important conversation about looking after yourself and your mates. 💚"

06/10/2026

VENUE UPDATE: COMMUNITY BBQ - KAIWAKA
Our Community BBQ will be held at HAKARU HALL 📣

We’re looking forward to getting together with our local community for a free meal off the farm, good food and good company.

📅 Thursday 22 October 2026
📍 Hakaru Hall, 740 Settlement Road, Hakaru
🕕 Dinner from 6pm
Families and farm teams are all welcome. 💚
Please RSVP to Hazel:
📧 [email protected]

Come along, connect with your community and enjoy a meal together. See you there! 👋

05/10/2026

Behind every fleece is a team of people - farmers, shearers, woolhandlers, shed staff and more — working hard to get the job done.

Farmstrong is celebrating the people behind the fibre this month, with practical tips and stories to support wellbeing.

Because looking after yourself is just as important as looking after the job. 💚

Wool Month is here! 🐑

Behind every fleece is a team of people putting in the hard yards.

Farmers, shearers, wool handlers, shed staff, and many others all play a part in bringing wool from paddock to product. Their work takes skill, resilience and teamwork, season after season.

This month, we're celebrating the people behind the fibre and sharing practical tips and stories to help support your wellbeing.

Because looking after yourself is just as important as looking after the job.

04/10/2026

Thinking about NZFAP or NZFAP+ certification? 🌱

Beef+Lamb New Zealand Northern North Island and Ballance Agri-Nutrients are running practical workshops in Kerikeri, Dargaville and Wellsford to help farmers prepare for certification and get audit-ready.

The programme covers everything from farm planning and biosecurity to adverse weather event planning.

If certification is on your radar, this could be a useful opportunity to get some practical support.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1JBne3NfEL/

04/10/2026

Sometimes joy isn’t something you plan, buy or organise.
Sometimes it’s right there in front of you. ❤️

No boots. No rules. Just a kid charging across silage bales like they’re the best playground in the world.

Rural kids have a brilliant way of turning everyday farm life into an adventure. No fancy toys. No big plans. Just fresh air, freedom, imagination… and a little bit of harmless chaos.

Rural life can be tough and demanding, but moments like this are a lovely reminder of the good stuff too.

You work with what you’ve got. You find the fun where you can. And sometimes, the simplest moments are the ones that stay with you.

Maybe that’s a good reminder for us grown-ups too: slow down, notice the small wins, and enjoy them when they come along.

Bare feet. Big smiles.
That’s the good stuff. 🌱

Find the joy where you are.

01/10/2026

📸 PHOTO COMPETITION: Could your photo feature in the Rural Support Te Tai Tokerau 2027 Calendar?

We’re looking for your best images capturing the people, places, animals and moments that make rural Te Tai Tokerau special.

Think big Northland landscapes, farm life, harvest, livestock, working dogs, changing seasons - or those everyday rural moments that deserve to be captured.

Whether you’re a keen amateur or a photography pro, we want to see what you’ve got!

📸 High-resolution, landscape images
📍 Taken within Te Tai Tokerau
📩 Email your entries to: [email protected]
📅 Entries close 3 November 2026

If your photo is selected for the calendar, you’ll receive a voucher as a thank you.

Get snapping and help us showcase rural Northland in 2027.

Proudly sponsored by Halter.

01/10/2026

WHATEVER THE WEATHER - THAT’S A WRAP 🌦️

That’s a wrap on our Whatever the Weather events in Dargaville and Kaipara Flats - and the feedback has been incredibly positive.

A big thank you to everyone who came along, shared their experiences and joined the conversation.

Chris Brandolino brought the science to life, delivering a clear and insightful look at the El Niño forecast and what it could mean for our region.

Mark Ford shared an incredibly inspiring story about resilience, setbacks and moving forward. His message really stuck with us:
“I didn’t bounce back. I built forward.” - Mark Ford

As we look ahead, here are some useful resources for preparing for and navigating dry conditions:

DairyNZ Drought resources:
https://www.dairynz.co.nz/support/crisis-and-adverse-events/drought/

Beef + Lamb New Zealand Drought resources:
https://beeflambnz.com/knowledge-hub/adverse-events/drought-resources

Horticulture New Zealand Preparing for El Niño:
https://www.hortnz.co.nz/preparing-for-el-nino

Mark Ford resources for navigating setbacks and building forward: https://rewiredrunner.com/

Thanks again to everyone who joined us. Whatever the weather brings, you don’t have to navigate it alone. 💚

30/09/2026

Community BBQ - Kaiwaka
Kaiwaka, we’re coming your way!

The Northland Collaboration Group invites you to join us for a free Community BBQ - a chance to enjoy a good meal, catch up with your neighbours and connect with your local rural community.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families and farm teams are welcome
🍽️ Free dinner from 6pm
📅 Thursday 22 October 2026
📍 Kaiwaka Sports Complex, 2 Gibbons Road, Kaiwaka

Come along, bring the whānau and enjoy some good food and good company.

RSVP to Hazel: [email protected]