Friday, 21 July 2023 11:26

State farmer backs national charities

Written by  Sudesh Kissun
Pāmu chief executive Mark Leslie. Pāmu chief executive Mark Leslie.

State farmer Pāmu is throwing its support behind three national charities this year.

Meat the Need gets $25,000, Rural Change (Will to Live) $12,500, and IHC Calf and Rural Scheme gets 41 calves valued up to $20,000.

Pāmu chief executive Mark Leslie says as New Zealand’s largest farmer, the company is conscious of its responsibilities to people and communities.

“Our strategic pillars include being a leader in health, safety, and well-being, as well as supporting the communities in which we farm.

“These three organisations are doing great mahi across the country.

“While we have supported IHC for decades, we became involved with Meat the Need at its inception in 2019, and this year we’ve agreed to support Rural Change in recognition of the work they are doing on the rural well-being coalface, particularly post-Cyclone Gabrielle.

“We are proud to back these organisations who align well with our company values and are also innovating and leading positive change.”

Meat the Need is dedicated to New Zealand farmers feeding New Zealand families. The organisation works with farmers, processors, and established food banks and missions to get mincemeat to families who face food uncertainty. Founder Wayne Langford says that the $25,000 donation from Pāmu means 21,300 mince meals to fill tummies. Pāmu has also been running a competition amongst its staff nationwide, for their best mince recipes. These will be included in food boxes in selected regions.

Rural Change (Will to Live) is focused on getting farmers and rural people dedicated psychological help when they need it. Pāmu is one of their largest sponsors, with a $12,500 donation, meaning 125 farmers can get professional help.

“Rural Change fills a vital gap in rural well-being, and since the cyclones, demand has outstripped their ability to help,” says Leslie.

“Stress and burnout are real risks for our rural communities, and it takes courage to reach out for help. It is very important to Pāmu to be part of these conversations and support the organisations who are at the coalface of farmer mental wellbeing.”

The IHC Calf and Rural Scheme has supported people with intellectual disabilities living in rural areas for more than 40 years. Pāmu farms are donating 41 calves from dairying operations across the motu, with a potential value of up to $20,000 depending on their final weight.

More like this

Pāmu farm opens gate to urban visitors

For many urban New Zealanders, stepping into Pāmu’s Pinta dairy farm near Taupo last month was the first time they had had the chance to experience farm life up close.

The future of beef breeding

Progeny testing at Pāmu’s Kepler farm in Southland as part of Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Informing New Zealand Beef programme is showing that the benefits of hybrid vigour could have a massive impact on the future of beef breeding.

State farmer cultivates talent with apprenticeship scheme

To mark International Day of Education on January 24, 2025, state farmer Pāmu (Landcorp) announced the commencement of its Apprenticeship Scheme, designed to equip the next generation of farmers with the skills, knowledge, and experience needed for a thriving career in agriculture.

Barks like a dog

OPINION: Landcorp is putting a brave face on its latest result, highlighting its progress on KPIs like climate change and gender pay gaps.

Featured

Controls lifted at poultry farm

Movement controls have been lifted from Mainland Poultry’s Hillgrove Farm in Otago, after the successful eradication of H7N6 strain of high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

Farmers urged not to be complacent about TB

New Zealand's TBfree programme has made great progress in reducing the impact of the disease on livestock herds, but there’s still a long way to go, according to Beef+Lamb NZ.

Editorial: Making wool great again

OPINION: Otago farmer and NZ First MP Mark Patterson is humble about the role that he’s played in mandating government agencies to use wool wherever possible in new and refurbished buildings.

National

Machinery & Products

Farmer-led group buys Novag

While the name and technology remain unchanged and new machines will continue to carry the Novag name, all the assets,…

Buhler name to go

Shareholders at a special meeting have approved a proposed deal that will see Buhler Industries, the publicly traded Versatile and…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Make it 1000%!

OPINION: The appendage swinging contest between the US and China continues, with China hitting back with a new rate of…

Own goal

OPINION: The irony of President Trump’s tariff obsession is that the worst damage may be done to his own people.

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter