Community

In Aotearoa, mental health issues, particularly among young people, continue to challenge communities, both urban and rural. At the heart of one of the country’s most recognisable mental health initiatives is Mike King, founder of the I Am Hope charity and the man behind Gumboot Friday. In a recent conversation with us, Mike shared insights into the growth of the initiative, its importance to rural communities, and the power of walking through the mud together - both figuratively and literally.

Growing demand and restoring profitability to New Zealand’s strong wool growers and sheep farming communities, are goals that are front and centre for Wool Impact. Formed in mid-2022, with the support of the government, WoolWorks, and New Zealand’s leading meat companies, Wool Impact advocates for increased demand and value.

Operating throughout Otago and the wider Christchurch area, Spout Milk is revitalising traditional methods of reducing plastic waste by delivering milk in reusable kegs. Inspired by the beer industry and mirroring the classic glass bottle days, these kegs offer a sustainable solution for rural, corporate and hospitality industries.

It’s been nearly two years since we last visited HealthPost Nature Trust’s efforts to regenerate nature and restore biodiversity at Onetahua (Farewell Spit) and Wharariki, the northernmost tip of the South Island.

For many, farms are filled with nostalgia, connection, safety, and belonging. Most rural workers have a willingness to protect the land, including the animals and its people, and are driven to leave it in a better condition than they found it; that is no different for the Tasman-based charity Fossil Creek Farm Trust, owned by Lloyd Tibble and Jude Porteous.

Upholding a ‘By Farmers, For Farmers’ approach, Growing Future Farmers (GFF) gives students access to career pathways within the agricultural industry. The trust was formally established in 2019 and has increased from 10 students in 2020, to 139 students enrolled in their 2024 programme.

For farmers and growers, there are many unique challenges that come with living rurally. The Rural Support Trust is a nationwide network of trusts that aim to support farmers and growers experiencing challenging times, helping them identify ways to move forward and improve their mental wellbeing.

The importance of mental health is paramount, especially for our younger generations. Gumboot Friday returns this year on Friday the third where people all around the country are hosting events to raise funds for young people, 25 and under, to have access to free and timely counselling services.

Education, promotion and advocacy drive the not-for-profit organisation Campaign for Wool New Zealand (CFWNZ), which strives for the advancement of strong wool to support a brighter, more sustainable future, not only for New Zealand farmers but for those who manufacture and use woollen products.

For many, nature helps us unwind, enabling a sense of serenity to focus on our well-being, and there’s no better way to give back to nature than by looking after the environment and its diverse wildlife.

It was a fresh, invigorating morning as the finals of the Goldpine NZYF Fencing Tournament kicked off in Temuka last month. Spectators wrapped up warm to cheer on the finalists, a result of 7 regional events held across the first half of this year.

It was a crisp, frosty morning when we visited Fieldays at Mystery Creek – the largest agricultural event in the country. Seven teams of two competed in the Fieldays Silver Spades Doubles Championship, putting their skills, efficiency and workmanship to the test

When it comes to acknowledging the value in a primary sector, it seems we are not alone. If you go looking, you’ll find a growing number in the scientific community pushing for a broader discussion about the importance of the sector worldwide.

The culture and the mana were evident when visiting Pūniu River Care’s (PRC) office and nursery in the heart of Te Awamutu. This Māori-led incorporated society and registered charity was founded in 2015 by Shannon Te Huia as a means to protect and care for the environment.

Bees play a vital role in all aspects of the ecosystem, whether it be supporting the growth of flora by their pollinating abilities or providing fauna with the food and shelter they require through thriving vegetation.

A school filled with future leaders of the agricultural industry and backed heavily by a supportive community, Feilding High School offers a unique experience to students who want to gain practical knowledge on how to care for animals and the environment around them.

As we start a new year, we’ve reflected on the work we do at Goldpine, the plans we’ve got and who and what our products are supporting. Every day we set out to produce the best natural products we can because they let you achieve your goals.

Starting life as a water reserve for the local community of Nelson until the 1850s, The Brook Waimarama Sanctuary has now become the largest fenced Sanctuary in the South Island, filled with over 250 endemic species and a thriving regenerative forest.

The 54th Fieldays event was held six months later than its usual timing, with the postponement, economy and supply chain issues being a few of the challenges that impacted lower attendance rates.

As we headed up the cliffs of Cape Farewell, the northernmost point of the South Island, we couldn’t help but be blown away by the stunning landscapes that Golden Bay has to offer.

It was a pearler of a day in South Taranaki’s town of Hāwera where local dairy farmer and fitness enthusiast Kane Brisco ran 50 kilometres for Gumboot Run NZ: an event that he set up to raise funds for two New Zealand mental health charities.

As we captured the faces of the GOFENCE® team running across the wild south coast beach in Dunedin, there were smiles and a shared sense of relief as they made it to the finish line.

Federated Farmers of New Zealand (FFNZ) is an organisation that advocates on behalf of the rural community. The history of the group dates back to 1899 with the first meeting of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union (NZFU).

Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) has been an integral part of strengthening and supporting women to see them reach their full potential in all aspects of life. Founded in 1925, RWNZ has been an authoritative voice in the rural sector for nearly a century.

South Taranaki boy Kane Brisco is the founder of Farm Fit, a great resource for physical workout programmes and mindset tools for people within the rural community. When Kane was younger, he spent his holidays helping out on his uncle’s farm where he developed his love for farming.

As Covid rears its ugly head again, this is a poignant time for all of us across the country to check in on each other whilst also looking after our mental health and wellbeing. New Zealand Young Farmers (NZYF) presented a webinar titled The Big 3 on Wellbeing, which featured three big names in the rural and mental health space; Elle Perriam, Kane Brisco, and Tangaroa Walker