Latest news with #WayneLangford
Scoop
15-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Government Delivers Lifeline For Flood-Affected Farmers
Federated Farmers are welcoming the announcement of a $600,000 Government support package to help flood-affected farmers in the Nelson Tasman region get back on their feet. "This funding is desperately needed to support recovery efforts on the ground and will make a real difference for farming families," says Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford. "We're incredibly grateful that the Government have recognised this need early and taken practical steps that will allow clean-up work to get underway immediately." The Government package includes $50,000 for the Farmers Adverse Events Trust, established by Federated Farmers, and will be matched dollar-for-dollar by donations from other farmers. Langford has visited many impacted farmers over the past fortnight, and will be on the ground again today surveying the damage and assessing what further support might be needed. "Each farm is completely different. Some have only had minor damage that they will be able to fix themselves, but others will definitely need some significant help," Langford says. "That's where Federated Farmers are going to be focusing most of our efforts. We need to prioritise those who have been hit hardest and then work our way out from there. "What this $50,000 from the Government means is that we can start work almost immediately with diggers, bulldozers and fencers from later this week. "That's the kind of support these farmers need the most right now. They need boots on the ground, shovels in the dirt, and heavy machinery starting to roll in." Langford says Federated Farmers will be playing a key role in coordinating this work but more donations will still be required to fund recovery efforts over the coming weeks. "We really need New Zealanders to get in behind these farmers with donations. It doesn't matter if they're large or small, every dollar counts and will make a difference." If you would like to donate, you can do this directly through your internet banking or by calling into your nearest bank branch. The Farmers Adverse Events Trust is a registered charity and donation receipts will be available. 100% of the funds received will go directly to support farming families on the ground. Account Number: 06-0594-0028181-30 Please use your name or organisation's name as a reference.
NZ Herald
10-07-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Fieldays 2025 boosts rural mood with better prices, Govt support
Fieldays 2025 has been hailed 'a cracker' by Federated Farmers' hierarchy. 'It's always a great time to catch up with our members and other farmers, but this has definitely stood out as one of the more positive Fieldays I've attended,' national president Wayne Langford said. 'I noticed a real shift
Scoop
08-07-2025
- Climate
- Scoop
Flood-Hit Farmers Need Our Help
Federated Farmers is calling on Kiwis to get in behind flood-affected farming families at the top of the South Island, as recovery efforts ramp up and the scale of the damage becomes clearer. President Wayne Langford visited the area on Monday July 7 and says the destruction in parts of Nelson and Tasman is extensive, with some farms totally unrecognisable. "I drove back up through the Motueka River and you can just see where it's come through and swallowed everything in its path. It's total devastation," he says. "One farm I visited had about 50 hectares taken out. The river changed course and just chewed right through it. Orchards nearby got absolutely smoked as well." Langford says it's clear some properties have been hit far worse than others - and that those farmers urgently need our support. "The damage can really vary. Some places have just lost boundary fences, but others have lost entire blocks. I met a guy who has lost a quarter of his farm. "It's heartbreaking to see, and the real kicker is that the worst of the damage is to farms right by the river - which are also some of our most productive." He says it's now time for the rest of the farming community to do what we do best in times of adversity - to get in behind these families and show them some support. "We know what to do in these situations. The Rural Support Trust is doing good work on the ground, and local volunteers are already rolling up their sleeves. "For people who really want to help, the best thing they can do is donate to the Farmers Adverse Events Trust. That's the best way to get the support to where it's needed most." The trust is designed to get funding directly to farmers who have suffered extraordinary loss - not just business-as-usual setbacks, Langford says.
Scoop
15-06-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Call For More Rural Psychologists To Help Farmers With Mental Health
There are disproportionately high suicide statistics in rural areas. , Hawke's Bay and Tai Rāwhiti reporter While many farmers are feeling good about record meat and dairy prices, mental health is still a massive issue with disproportionately high suicide statistics in rural areas. Depression is something Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford is familiar with, after his own battle began eight years ago. 'It's amazing how it creeps in. It affects your farm, your family and your entire life. 'I describe it creeping in like a fog – all of a sudden you find yourself in a bit of a mess and you need help to get out,' he said. Langford is grateful for the support his wife wrapped around him, and urges other farmers in his situation to reach out. 'The key for me was getting off farm, spending time with kids and family,' he said. The sector is welcoming a $3 million funding boost for the Rural Support Trust over four years to improve access to mental health services, but it's sparked calls for more clinical psychologists in rural areas. Clinical psychologist Sarah Donaldson told RNZ that through her work with the Trust she sees high demand from the farming sector. 'Our largest proportion for referrals is distress – from mild through to acutely suicidal. 'There are greater risk factors in the rural sector unfortunately – huge workloads, isolation, work and home are all wrapped up in one bundle and there's lots riding on it,' she said. The Rural Support Trust helps farmers access the help they need, which Donaldson describes as a 'lifesaving' service. But she's worried about a shortage of specialists in rural areas, such as clinical psychologists. 'We need more people that have some clinical training that can be attached to rural support or do outreach services. 'There are people scattered around the country but there's no specific channel to train in rural mental health currently,' she said. Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey assured RNZ that the government is working on a workforce plan in a bid to reduce wait times for patients needing mental health services, which he said will also have an impact in rural communities. 'But let's be very clear, one of the biggest barriers to people accessing timely mental health and addiction support is too many workforce vacancies,' said Doocey. He said a key factor is the lack of clinical internship placements. 'Sadly, only up to a couple years ago there was only 30 clinical internship places a year. We've committed to doubling that, growing it by 100 percent to up to 80 placements by 2027,' said Doocey. The new funding for the Rural Support Trust is on top of another $3 million over the next four years allocated through the Ministry for Primary Industries, and $2 million of health funding is being invested in the Rural Wellbeing Fund. Rural Support Trust chair Michelle Ruddell said the farming sector has been calling for this for years. 'We are immensely grateful for the funding and it means our rural people will be better supported. 'We are going to be able to deliver our core work – it's one on one, free, impartial and at a time and place that suits them,' she said. Ruddell describes the demand for their services as 'huge' and said a key part of the work is getting farmers to speak up when they need help. 'Looking after our mental health is really hard and it often gets left behind – our rural people not only struggle to ask for help on a day to day basis, but actually don't often ask for help very often for their own wellbeing,' she said. It's a challenge the group is up for, they're determined to reach more farmers in every nook and cranny of Aotearoa.
Scoop
15-06-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Call For More Rural Psychologists To Help Farmers With Mental Health
Article – RNZ There are disproportionately high suicide statistics in rural areas. , Hawke's Bay and Tai Rāwhiti reporter While many farmers are feeling good about record meat and dairy prices, mental health is still a massive issue with disproportionately high suicide statistics in rural areas. Depression is something Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford is familiar with, after his own battle began eight years ago. 'It's amazing how it creeps in. It affects your farm, your family and your entire life. 'I describe it creeping in like a fog – all of a sudden you find yourself in a bit of a mess and you need help to get out,' he said. Langford is grateful for the support his wife wrapped around him, and urges other farmers in his situation to reach out. 'The key for me was getting off farm, spending time with kids and family,' he said. The sector is welcoming a $3 million funding boost for the Rural Support Trust over four years to improve access to mental health services, but it's sparked calls for more clinical psychologists in rural areas. Clinical psychologist Sarah Donaldson told RNZ that through her work with the Trust she sees high demand from the farming sector. 'Our largest proportion for referrals is distress – from mild through to acutely suicidal. 'There are greater risk factors in the rural sector unfortunately – huge workloads, isolation, work and home are all wrapped up in one bundle and there's lots riding on it,' she said. The Rural Support Trust helps farmers access the help they need, which Donaldson describes as a 'lifesaving' service. But she's worried about a shortage of specialists in rural areas, such as clinical psychologists. 'We need more people that have some clinical training that can be attached to rural support or do outreach services. 'There are people scattered around the country but there's no specific channel to train in rural mental health currently,' she said. Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey assured RNZ that the government is working on a workforce plan in a bid to reduce wait times for patients needing mental health services, which he said will also have an impact in rural communities. 'But let's be very clear, one of the biggest barriers to people accessing timely mental health and addiction support is too many workforce vacancies,' said Doocey. He said a key factor is the lack of clinical internship placements. 'Sadly, only up to a couple years ago there was only 30 clinical internship places a year. We've committed to doubling that, growing it by 100 percent to up to 80 placements by 2027,' said Doocey. The new funding for the Rural Support Trust is on top of another $3 million over the next four years allocated through the Ministry for Primary Industries, and $2 million of health funding is being invested in the Rural Wellbeing Fund. Rural Support Trust chair Michelle Ruddell said the farming sector has been calling for this for years. 'We are immensely grateful for the funding and it means our rural people will be better supported. 'We are going to be able to deliver our core work – it's one on one, free, impartial and at a time and place that suits them,' she said. Ruddell describes the demand for their services as 'huge' and said a key part of the work is getting farmers to speak up when they need help. 'Looking after our mental health is really hard and it often gets left behind – our rural people not only struggle to ask for help on a day to day basis, but actually don't often ask for help very often for their own wellbeing,' she said. It's a challenge the group is up for, they're determined to reach more farmers in every nook and cranny of Aotearoa.
