Monday, 23 September 2024 10:36

IHC calf & rural scheme making a difference

Written by Sudesh Kissun

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Members of IHC’s North Canterbury Kapa Haka ropu performed at Ngai Tahu’s Te Whenua Hou farm in North Canterbury.

South Island agribusinesses Ngai Tahu Farming and PGG Wrightson were able to see first-hand the fruits of their continued support of IHC recently when members of IHC’s North Canterbury Kapa Haka ropu performed at Ngai Tahu’s Te Whenua Hou farm in North Canterbury.

PGG Wrightson has sponsored IHC’s Calf & Rural Scheme since its inception and Ngai Tahu Farming is a long-term generous calf donor. The IHC Calf & Rural Scheme has been raising money to support people with intellectual disabilities and their families in rural areas of New Zealand for 43 years.

The calf donations help IHC fund a number of community initiatives that make a big difference in people’s lives. Kapa haka is just one of those initiatives, where people with intellectual disability can connect with their respective iwi and enjoy the excitement of being part of a performing group.

Ngai Tahu Farming welcomed IHC’s North Canterbury Kapa Haka rōpū onto its farm, along with PGG Wrightson chief executive Stephen Guerin.

“We have a long affiliation with Ngāi Tahu Farming and the IHC Calf & Rural Scheme is a crucial part of our responsibility the community. This occasion was a wonderful way to weave together those threads and see the important impact of our support,” says Guerin.

Ngai Tahu Farming operations manager – dairy and assets Ben Jaunay said being a part of the IHC Calf & Rural scheme is a way for the business to express its manaakitanga values.

“Rearing calves for the scheme is a tangible way for us to give back to the community and directly support the IHC. On a personal level, it is incredibly rewarding mahi to be involved in.”

IHC national fundraising manager Greg Millar said “We love having the opportunity to say thank you and to show Ngai Tahu Farming and PGG Wrightson along with thousands of dairy farmers around the country what a huge difference their support to the IHC Calf & Rural Scheme makes in rural communities.”