Rural leader grateful for latest honour
Waikato dairy farmer Neil Bateup, made a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in the New Year 2026 Honours list, says he’s grateful for the award.
Ohinewai farmer and group chair Neil Bateup urged rural communities to get their boosters to help prevent possible disruptions to meat processing, work forces and the wider supply chain, particularly at a time when the dry weather has already been testing the agricultural sector.
“The need to self-isolate will bring challenges to farming families and their businesses,” says Bateup who also chairs the Rural Support Trust.
“It is important to think and talk to your family and neighbours about what you would do to continue your operations should you, a team member or a family member contract Covid-19.”
The Rural Support Trust has been working with district health boards (DHBs), the Ministry of Social Development and the Ministry for Primary Industries, with input from various agricultural industries, Waikato Civil Defence Group and Auckland Emergency Management as part of the Waikato Primary Industries Adverse Event Cluster, to plan how best to support rural communities during Covid-19.
Bateup says if a if a farmer or a grower contracts Covid-19 they will be asked, by their respective DHB, if they would like to be referred to the Rural Support Trust for support.
“We encourage you to allow this referral, and don’t hesitate to make contact if there is a need. We can tailor support to suit your needs and listen to any concerns you may have. We can also help navigate challenges and utilise the network across agencies where needed.
"Our rural communities will need to come together and support each other as Covid-19 spreads,” he says.
Waikato Federated Farmers president Jacqui Hann says contingencies are needed as it’s highly likely that everyone will become either a close contact of, or contract, Covid-19.
“Focus on planning ahead for supplies as Covid continues to play havoc with supply chain logistics. If we get sick, we may not be able to work, some for a longer amount of time than others, and in critical situations we might end up in hospital. Being prepared will put us on the front foot.”
The Waikato Rural Support Trust has facilitators who are rural people and work with industry bodies and partners to navigate, support and help access relevant, practical information, advice and support to the rural community. Its services are confidential.
The Waikato Primary Industries Adverse Event Cluster covers the South Auckland and Waikato regions and was set up in 2016 to bring together agencies from the primary industries, central and local government to prepare for and coordinate responses to adverse events.
The Waikato Primary Industries Adverse Event Cluster will continue to meet as needed in response to COVID-19 and the climatic conditions.
