South Canterbury Rural Sipport Trust

South Canterbury Rural Support Trust

The purpose of South Canterbury Rural Support Trust is to assist in the building of strong and resilient rural communities.

Our trust members are local people with extensive rural knowledge and experience, we offer aid, assistance and advocacy to the South Canterbury rural community. We are a charitable organization that is in place to assist rural communities when they need the helping hand of those who understand and have the tools to assist.

Rural communities face a range of unique challenges and we are here to help. These include but are not limited to;

Biosecurity  |  Employment issues  |  Financial  |  Animal welfare  |  Health  & Wellbeing  |  Climatic events

We will facilitate you receiving the support you need when hardship comes your way. We draw on our network of rural professionals, health services and providers, local and central government agencies, Civil Defence and industry advocacy groups to provide the assistance that you may need.

Our trust is a part of a nationwide network that helps when large climatic events or natural disasters occur that effect the livelihoods of those living in rural communities. We work alongside MPI and industry organizations and professionals to aid in the recovery of communities and individuals following these events.

Free and confidential help is available to you or those in your community when there is a need, all you need to do is reach out.  Our experienced team are rural people that are passionate about supporting our community when times are tough and building resilience so that we are better equipped with the tools we need for when we inevitably face the challenges that farming life brings.

Email Us

Call South Canterbury Rural Support Trust now on 0800 787 254

Phoning from a mobile; please select 3, then select 4, then select 3 to be put through to the South Canterbury Coordinator

Our People

Our trust members are local people with extensive rural knowledge & experience, we offer aid, assistance and advocacy to the South Canterbury rural community.

Getting through this Dry Period

Getting through this Dry Period

We all know dry spells and droughts can be long and relentless. Now is the time to seek help and plan for the next few months. There are a range of options available to support you practically, financially, mentally, and help you maintain the welfare of your livestock.

May 2, 2024 0 Comments
𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀

𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀

We know it’s incredibly tough right now with large parts of the country currently farming through drought conditions and feed shortages.

April 9, 2024 0 Comments
Rural Champions - Nominations now open!

Rural Champions - Nominations now open!

Last year, the Otago Daily Times and Rural Life celebrated Year of the Farmer, a hugely successful initiative championing the work and community contributions of our farmers and growers. It culminated in the naming of Duntroon dairy farmer Myfanwy Alexander as our inaugural Rural Champion.
April 2, 2024 0 Comments
South Island Agricultural Field Days, Kirwee, Canterbury

South Island Agricultural Field Days, Kirwee, Canterbury

This is one of the oldest and largest agricultural events in the South Island; going back 70 years, it focuses on opportunities to view machines in their working state and reinforcing the relationship between farmers, service providers, scientists and technical experts.

3/26/2025 8:30 AM - 3/28/2025 4:00 PM 0 Comments

Upcoming Local Events

Help and resources available to you...

National

DairyNZ
0800 4 324 7969

Beef + Lamb NZ
0800 733 466

HORTNZ
0508 467 869

NZ Young Farmers
0800 699 346

Federated Farmers
0800 327 646

Dairy Women's Network
0800 396 748

OSPRI/NAIT
0800 482 463
 

 

Lifeline
0800 543 354 or 09 522 2999 or Free text 4357 (HELP)

Youthline
0800 376 633

Samaritans
0800 726 666

Alcohol Drug Helpline
0800 787 797

Gambling Helpline
0800 654 655

Rural Women New Zealand
0800 256 467

Rural Employee Scheme
0800 694 121

Rural Support Trust NZ

Donations to South Canterbury Rural Support Trust

We are a voluntary Charitable Trust and would welcome your donation to help us continue
supporting our rural families.

You can make a donation via bank transfer, using your name as a reference.

06-0889-0344843-00

Please email rst.secretary.timaru@gmail.com to enable us to acknowledge your donation and send a tax receipt.

Thank you for your kindness.

With thanks to our Principal Sponsors
 
Thanks to our Time Out Tour partners