New Zealand rolls out wellbeing events and marae resilience funding

The Rural Support Trust is organising a series of free community wellbeing events across Timaru, Ashburton and Dunsandel, featuring former New Zealand SAS soldier Willie Apiata, a Victoria Cross recipient. The events aim to foster open conversations on mental resilience, leadership and recovery among farmers and rural professionals, and are supported by a range of rural industry partners.

Separately, the New Zealand Government announced further funding for the Māori Climate Platform, bringing total investment to more than NZ$10 million for marae upgrades in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, Waikato and other regions. The Stage 2 funding will install solar power, battery storage and water‑storage systems at several marae, including Waiwhetū Marae, to maintain power and safe drinking water during severe weather and emergencies.