East Coast

Jane, who is originally from Scotland and was brought up on the family dairy farm in Dumfries and Galloway, now lives with her husband and two children on their sheep and beef farm at Makuri, East of Pahiatua. They also farm properties in Central Hawke's Bay. Farming in two such different climates for 20 years, she is well aware of the stresses related to farming in high rainfall areas and drought prone areas. Jane has supported the rural community and been an active member of many school, social and sporting clubs committees.

Sarah grew up in the Wairarapa and is well connected to the local rural community and industry. She lives on a sheep and beef farm in South Wairarapa with her three children. Alongside assisting rural people to access practical and on farm support when needed, she also has speciality skills to support the wellbeing and mental health of farmers, their families and rural communities. She understands the common challenges that can arise living and working rurally. Sarah works collaboratively with other rural facilitators and networks as needed to create a tailored plan to address the challenges which present for an individual or community. She still enjoys working part time casually on local farms, hunting, playing and motivating others to exercise and has coached rugby for the last 15 years.

Hailing from Central Otago, Jonathan’s formative years were on sheep and beef properties. He studied Geography at Otago University and began working in Motueka for a Fruit Marketing company. Since then he has had a varied career over the past 40 years holding senior management roles in a number of different industries including rural banking, Finance & Credit, and the Not-for-Profit Sector. Married to Deb, they have two adult children, both residing in Hawkes Bay and have lived here for the past 25 years. Jonathan has a passion for the rural community and the rural industry as a whole having spent the majority of his working life in this area. Jonathan brings his broad life skills, business experience and financial knowledge to East Coast Rural Support Trust and is enjoying reconnecting with and supporting the rural community of the greater Hawkes Bay area.

Vicki was born & raised a true country girl through and through in Tairāwhiti, and still remains on the land on her lifestyle block North of Gisborne. She describes herself as "a real people's person" - committed to validating and acknowledging people's experiences, whilst supporting and encouraging them to achieve positive outcomes, no matter their situation. There is no better place than helping out and ensuring mental wellness and self care is at the forefront of everyday living! Vicki is an active hunter and loves surfcasting when she is not mucking around with her horses. More importantly, there is nothing better in life than spending time with her grandchildren, who always make life seem so much brighter!

Lisa is passionate about backing and empowering rural people to take action - for themselves, their whānau, teams and the places they care about. She and her husband Tom have farmed near Eketāhuna for 35 years, raising their four (now adult) children there. Lisa brings decades of experience in leadership development, communication, governance and grassroots community work. She has led not-for-profit programmes and teams across Aotearoa that support rural communities to lead from the ground up. She believes that when people understand themselves and connect well with others, it creates the foundation for strong collaboration, effective teams and personal wellbeing.

Janine is a deputy chairperson, treasurer and trustee of the East Coast Rural Support. She has a background in banking, farm ownership and governance and is a Senior Area Manager at DairyNZ. Janine also joined the Rural Support National Council as a trustee in 2025.

Lee joined the East Coast Trust in 2024. She previously worked for MPI and farms in the Tararua region.

Lawrence is a chartered accountant and regular facilitator of financial workshops. He has a passion for helping farmers and growers understand the financial needs of their business.

Abby joined the East Coast Trust in 2024 and is also a Rural Manager at Rabobank. She grew up on a dairy farm in the Wairarapa and understands the importance of building good relationships and networks.

Jerry has been a trustee on the East Coast RST since 2023 and he is also a servicing councillor on the Central Hawkes Bay District Council.

Kevin has been a trustee on the East Coast Trust since 2016. He is a hill country farmer and in 2013 was awarded a life membership of Federated Farmers after more than 30 years of service.

East Coast born and bred in Rangitukia Lance Rickard has been connected with his whenua and working in the Agriculture Industry as an Ag Consultant since completing his studies at Lincoln University. Married to Margaret with 5 daughters, he still remains working in this sector along with being involved with the Evacuation Centre from Cyclone Gabrielle. Lance started with ECRST Tairawhiti in 2024.

Tairāwhiti Farmer Hamish Cave together with Amanda and their team farm 2340ha at Ngatapa. Sunworth is breeding and finishing farm running 850 cows and 5000 ewes as well as young stock. Prior to becoming a Trustee with Rural Support, Hamish had many years involvement with Federated Farmers as the Meat & Fibre Chair and then the Provincial President for Gisborne/Wairoa province. Hamish was encouraged to become a Trustee late in 2022 and has had a very active role since the weather events of 2023.