Brunch on Us: We invite rural communities to take a well-earned break

Take a break, share a meal and connect with the people who understand rural life. You can’t pour from an empty cup… but we’ll happily fill your plate.

There’s always another fence to fix, another calf to feed, another email to answer or another job waiting. But this August and September, Rural Support Waikato invites farmers, growers and rural communities to step away from the daily demands of the farm for a couple of hours and enjoy a free brunch with others who understand the realities of rural life.

Brunch on Us is a series of relaxed, drop-in events being held across the wider Waikato Trust region, offering a chance to catch up, share stories and enjoy good food in good company. So grab your gumboots – and come along for a hot meal, a yarn and a reminder that taking time for yourself matters.

Forget the formalities – there’ll be no speeches, no sales pitches and no pressure, just good food, good company and a chance to catch up with people who understand rural life.

“You don’t have to register, and there are no presentations – just a warm welcome, great food and refreshments,” says Wanda Leadbeater from Rural Support Waikato. “This is about checking in with each other, sharing stories and updates, and reminding our communities that they’re not alone.”

Whether you’re farming, growing, contracting, working in the rural sector, or simply part of the rural community, you’re welcome to attend. Bring your partner, your neighbour, your farm team – or that mate who keeps saying, “Yeah, I’m good,” but might appreciate getting off the farm for a couple of hours.

Because sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself is simply turn up.

‍Brunch is on us: all-sector rural community get-togethers

10:30am–12:30pm, held at the following locations:

·       Gordonton: Tuesday 25 August, GordontonHall

·       Aka Aka: Wednesday 26 August, Aka AkaSchool Hall

·       Ngatea: Thursday 27 August, Ngatea RugbyClubrooms

·       Onewhero: Friday 28 August, OnewheroRugby Club

·       Tatuanui: Tuesday 1 September, TatuanuiWar Memorial Hall

·       Waihi Beach: Tuesday 1 September, WaihiBeach Surf Club

·       Mangatangi: Wednesday 2 September,Mangatangi Hall

·       Pollok: Thursday 3 September, PollokCommunity Hall

·       Otorohanga: Friday 4 September, Kio KioCommunity Hall

·       Te Awamutu: Tuesday 8 September, Te RahuHall

·       Putaruru: Wednesday 9 September, NZTimber Museum

·       Piopio: Thursday 10 September, PiopioAria Golf Club

·       Reporoa: Friday 11 September, ReporoaRugby Clubrooms

·       Tirohanga: Tuesday 15 September,Tirohanga Settlers Hall

·       Ngakuru: Wednesday 16 September, NgakuruHall

·       Matamata: Thursday 17 September, HinueraRugby Club

·       Tokoroa: Friday 18 September, SouthernUnited Rugby Club

These gatherings are more than just brunch. They’re a chance to pause, reconnect and remind each other that no one in rural New Zealand has to face life’s challenges alone.

We’d love to see you there.

For more information, email: events.waikato@ruralsupport.org.nz

Proudly supported by: Fonterra, Farm Source, NZ Sure, Primary ITO, OFI, Farmline Machinery, Open Country, Kaimai Eggs, FMG, Matamata Butchery, BYL Livestock, DairyNZ, Tatua, Power Farming, On Farm Support – Ministry for Primary Industries, Mangatangi-Maramarua Catchment.

WE ARE RURAL SUPPORT, TOGETHER.

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