Latest news with #Farmstrong
NZ Herald
17-07-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
Farmstrong: Abbi Ayre's Shed Shout a hit with Reefton farmers
She said it was a combination of ideas that came to the couple when they were farming in Culverdon. 'We just dropped a whole lot of pamphlets in our neighbours' letterboxes, because we'd never met them ... and had everyone around to the cow shed and we just all chatted. 'I thought, oh, that was a cool idea.' A similar casual Friday catch-up during calving in Duntroon began to cement the Shed Shout idea in their heads. 'We would go to somebody's cow shed and just have a beer or whatever and catch up for the week.' Ayre said it was a nice way of learning that everyone was dealing with the same issues. The couple mulled over the Shed Shout idea, but Ayre said they never really got around to it and put it on the back burner. However, a tough season in Reefton brought the concept to the forefront of their minds. 'We'd had a pretty hard season here in Reefton... from the wettest winter/spring in 25 years to the driest summer in 50,' Ayre said. 'I thought, oh well, let's just pull everyone together and basically have a really low-key chat.' Reefton dairy farmer Abbi Ayre's Shed Shout was well attended, even in foggy weather conditions. She mooted the idea with other farmers. '[I said] would you guys be keen to like jump around some cow sheds over calving - and that's where it came from.' The Shed Shout ended up attracting 50 people, including kids, who braved foggy weather to attend. Guests were treated to a barbecue and a bouncy castle for the children. Ayre and Terblanche are Farmstrong Champions. Farmstrong is a nationwide rural wellbeing programme that helps farmers and growers manage the ups and downs of farming and growing. Mackay asked Ayre what made her a Farmstrong Champion, and she was unsure how to answer at first, because it came naturally to her. 'I think I follow loosely the five ways to well-being without even really knowing I'm doing it.' Also in today's interview: Ayre talked about working on super yachts and sang the praises of Reefton.
Scoop
11-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Primary Sector-Government Partnership To Boost Rural Health And Resilience
Press Release – New Zealand Government The establishment of this fund is a result of advocacy by Federated Farmers Chair, Wayne Langford, who has been a long-time champion of rural wellbeing and mental health. Minister of Agriculture Minister of Forestry The Government is stepping up support for rural New Zealand with a $4 million Rural Wellbeing Fund to expand investment in community-based initiatives, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced today at Fieldays. 'The establishment of this fund is a result of advocacy by Federated Farmers Chair, Wayne Langford, who has been a long-time champion of rural wellbeing and mental health,' Mr McClay says. The contestable fund to drive rural health and community resilience will prioritise initiatives that have strong local backing and secure co-funding from industry or regional partners. It will support new and existing initiatives like Surfing for Farmers, Farmstrong, NZ Young Farmers, FirstMate and many more. A five-member panel with representation from the primary sector will be established to assess project applications. Projects must demonstrate strong local delivery, provide clear benefits to rural people, and ability to attract co-investment from industry and sector partners. 'We're backing the people on the ground who are already doing great work—this fund is about scaling up, reaching further, and removing barriers for rural communities to lead their own wellbeing efforts,' Mr McClay says. This fund brings the Government's total investment in rural resilience and mental health to more than $11 million over the next four years. 'This package is about ensuring the farmers and growers who generate our export income, create jobs, and sustain our regions have the support they need to thrive,' Mr McClay says. 'When rural New Zealand is well, New Zealand does well,' Mr McClay says. In addition to the Rural Wellbeing Fund, the Government has confirmed: $6 million over four years for Rural Support Trusts across the country; An extra $1 million in 2025 for frontline rural mental wellbeing services; $400,000 in grants for A&P shows that foster rural connection and pride; and $250,000 to support the expanded outreach work of Rural Women New Zealand in 2025/26. Expressions of interests for project funding are now open. For more information, visit
Scoop
11-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Primary Sector-Government Partnership To Boost Rural Health And Resilience
Press Release – New Zealand Government The establishment of this fund is a result of advocacy by Federated Farmers Chair, Wayne Langford, who has been a long-time champion of rural wellbeing and mental health. Minister of Agriculture Minister of Forestry The Government is stepping up support for rural New Zealand with a $4 million Rural Wellbeing Fund to expand investment in community-based initiatives, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced today at Fieldays. 'The establishment of this fund is a result of advocacy by Federated Farmers Chair, Wayne Langford, who has been a long-time champion of rural wellbeing and mental health,' Mr McClay says. The contestable fund to drive rural health and community resilience will prioritise initiatives that have strong local backing and secure co-funding from industry or regional partners. It will support new and existing initiatives like Surfing for Farmers, Farmstrong, NZ Young Farmers, FirstMate and many more. A five-member panel with representation from the primary sector will be established to assess project applications. Projects must demonstrate strong local delivery, provide clear benefits to rural people, and ability to attract co-investment from industry and sector partners. 'We're backing the people on the ground who are already doing great work—this fund is about scaling up, reaching further, and removing barriers for rural communities to lead their own wellbeing efforts,' Mr McClay says. This fund brings the Government's total investment in rural resilience and mental health to more than $11 million over the next four years. 'This package is about ensuring the farmers and growers who generate our export income, create jobs, and sustain our regions have the support they need to thrive,' Mr McClay says. 'When rural New Zealand is well, New Zealand does well,' Mr McClay says. In addition to the Rural Wellbeing Fund, the Government has confirmed: $6 million over four years for Rural Support Trusts across the country; An extra $1 million in 2025 for frontline rural mental wellbeing services; $400,000 in grants for A&P shows that foster rural connection and pride; and $250,000 to support the expanded outreach work of Rural Women New Zealand in 2025/26. Expressions of interests for project funding are now open. For more information, visit
Scoop
10-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Primary Sector-Government Partnership To Boost Rural Health And Resilience
Minister of Agriculture Minister of Forestry The Government is stepping up support for rural New Zealand with a $4 million Rural Wellbeing Fund to expand investment in community-based initiatives, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced today at Fieldays. 'The establishment of this fund is a result of advocacy by Federated Farmers Chair, Wayne Langford, who has been a long-time champion of rural wellbeing and mental health,' Mr McClay says. The contestable fund to drive rural health and community resilience will prioritise initiatives that have strong local backing and secure co-funding from industry or regional partners. It will support new and existing initiatives like Surfing for Farmers, Farmstrong, NZ Young Farmers, FirstMate and many more. A five-member panel with representation from the primary sector will be established to assess project applications. Projects must demonstrate strong local delivery, provide clear benefits to rural people, and ability to attract co-investment from industry and sector partners. 'We're backing the people on the ground who are already doing great work—this fund is about scaling up, reaching further, and removing barriers for rural communities to lead their own wellbeing efforts,' Mr McClay says. This fund brings the Government's total investment in rural resilience and mental health to more than $11 million over the next four years. 'This package is about ensuring the farmers and growers who generate our export income, create jobs, and sustain our regions have the support they need to thrive,' Mr McClay says. 'When rural New Zealand is well, New Zealand does well,' Mr McClay says. In addition to the Rural Wellbeing Fund, the Government has confirmed: $6 million over four years for Rural Support Trusts across the country; An extra $1 million in 2025 for frontline rural mental wellbeing services; $400,000 in grants for A&P shows that foster rural connection and pride; and $250,000 to support the expanded outreach work of Rural Women New Zealand in 2025/26. Expressions of interests for project funding are now open. For more information, visit
NZ Herald
23-05-2025
- Health
- NZ Herald
How Kane Brisco keeps ‘pretty proactive with the top paddock': Farmstrong
'Good mental fitness requires great physical support. 'All the things you need to do to look after the top paddock, so to speak, require physical actions and living a good physical life. 'It's really difficult to have one without the other, to be honest.' This idea is seen in Farmstrong's toolkit, which has lessons learnt from the world of elite sport. However, that doesn't mean it's difficult to follow, as the toolkit offers farmers practical and down-to-earth advice. 'If I can do it, anyone can, I'm a pretty typical Kiwi bloke,' Brisco said. As a keen ex-rugby player, Brisco is a big fitness fan, but he said that wasn't the only way to build mental wellbeing. 'I always write out some of the old thoughts from the top of my head that are perhaps causing some frustrations.' Catching up with others also helps. 'Socialising's really important, being part of the community and your friends' group,' he said. As the saying goes, 'a problem shared is a problem halved,' so talking it out with friends and family can help with feelings of going it alone in farming. Brisco said he'd been through this a couple of times in his farming career. 'You think you're the only one, and you think you're the worst farmer in New Zealand or the district or whatever, and you feel like a bit of a failure,' he said. 'But when you go out and actually talk to other people, there's always someone else that's got the same problems, or in fact has it worse, and that can really take a mental load off.' The Farmstrong Toolkit helps people manage frustrations and setbacks, teaching them to maintain focus and perspective in difficult situations. A recent drought in Taranaki had Brisco using his tools for tough times. 'It's nothing I haven't been through before, I'm a big believer in approaching challenges with the right mindset,' he said. 'That gets you through going pretty good and sees you well out the other end. 'I'm pretty proactive with the old top paddock these days, mate.'
