Rural Support Trust Hosts Wellbeing Events Featuring Willie Apiata
The Rural Support Trust is hosting a series of community wellbeing events featuring former NZSAS soldier and Victoria Cross recipient Willie Apiata.
The 2025 Rural Support Dinner, Debate, Auction drew 540 including Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Wednesday, at the end of the first day of Fieldays.
Items donated for the auction included a signed Blackcaps cricket bat, signed limited-edition rugby jersey donated from Richie McCaw, VIP tickets to the One NZ Warriors vs Dolphins game, cow collars, swinging cow brush, dinner under ‘Mable’ the mega cow structure in Morrinsville and holiday packages.
Organiser Mike Green told Rural News that the event is a great lead into what they are trying to achieve- to bring the industry together to support the Rural Support, enabling them to continue to meet the needs of our rural communities.
“This will be an annual event many of the partners that I have spoken to since the event have confirmed that they will continue their support to achieve our goals.”
Speaking at the event, PM Luxon said that government is boosting support for rural resilience and wellbeing.
“We’re backing Rural Support Trusts by committing $3 million over the next four years, to help improve rural communities’ access to primary mental health services and specialist services.
“A range of services already exist, this is about making them easier to access, better connected, and focused on delivering support that makes a difference for people in rural communities.
“Whether it’s help on the farm, over the phone, or at a local event, we’re ensuring rural people know where to turn and can get support when they need it.”
This funding is on top of the ongoing funding of $3 million over the next four years allocated to Rural Support Trusts through the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
The event also heard from Deanne Parkes, a farmer who turned to RST for help.
Parkes, now a mental health advocate, told the dinner that reaching out to RST changed both her life and in the lives of others who have since reached out for help too.
“I truly believe if more women shared their stories — the way many brave men already do — I might have reached out for help earlier myself. I hope my voice encourages others to take that first step and reach out for help.
“I want people to know: it can get better — and we can learn the tools to keep ourselves well.
“I also want more people to know about Rural Support — the difference they made for me was life-saving.
“ And I want to help break the stigma that still exists around talking about mental health in rural communities.”
