Mid Canterbury

Frances has many jobs - mum, farmer, wellness and mbovis coordinator, business director, team member and a partner, just to name a few! Frances has been involved with the Mid Canterbury Rural Support over the last three years. She loves working with our local farmers, our community, with MPI, being a listening ear, and helping voice concerns for our farmers - to help connect them to what they need, whatever that may be. Frances is trained as part of this role with psychological first aid, recovery matters, Good Yarn, CIMS, and de- escalation training, and also suicide prevention training.

Duncan and his family moved to Ashburton in 2005 to further their dairying career, farming in the Lowcliffe and Ealing districts. Previous to this they had worked their way up through the sharemilking system in Taranaki and Manawatu as well as working in farm consultancy in Taranaki. They sold their farm in June 2022 and currently live on the outskirts of Ashburton on a wee lifestyle block. Duncan and his wife Lyn have 2 daughters living in and around Ashburton with their respective families, so they now call this home. Duncan has always had a great community sense and is passionate about maintaining a vibrant rural community for everyone to flourish. He has been involved in a few community challenges over the years and knows the importance of keeping our communities together and healthy, our vibrant communities are at the core of keeping our people healthy and strong. He looks forward to doing his bit to help people navigate through their challenges in life to keep our vibrant rural communities as strong as they currently are.

Naneh is a mum of four girls with a background in insurance, where she developed strong connections with rural clients and a genuine interest in the rural sector. Passionate about meeting new people, she is always looking for ways to give back to her local community.

Matt farms near Methven with his wife Sally and two daughters. Matt has a had a career in banking and brings a wealth of knowledge gained during this time and from his farming experience.

Josh farms with his wife, Becs, and runs a dairy farming business, with 3 young boys to keep them busy. Josh has farmed in several different locations with corporate farming businesses and has experienced a number of challenging times, natural disasters, financial pressures and tests upon personal wellbeing. This is no different to many people in our rural community and it is this reason that Josh became involved in the Mid Canterbury Rural Support Trust. Having a supportive, well-resourced and knowledgeable community is invaluable to those people going through hard times.

Cole is Owner of a 120ha dairy farm in Hinds. He loves his rural community and gives a lot back by getting involved in the local community. Cole's children go to the local Hinds school where Cole is the Chair of the Board of Trustees. Cole is also a Director of EA Networks and MHV Water.

Rochelle lives on a small lifestyle block at Eiffelton and is passionate about all things rural and was appointed trustee for Mid Canterbury Rural Support in 2021. Her involvement comes after having spent many years farming in the deer industry and working across a number of rural sectors. She is a Civil Defence Volunteer and in her spare time a keen horsewoman, traveller and gardener while continuing to run a small administration business.

Jo and her husband Greg have a farm in Ruapuna which is currently leased as a dairy support block. Jo has a background in HR in the Health sector and worked and volunteered in the Disability sector for 15 years prior to that. With two grown children, Jo has recently completed a Diploma of Photography and enjoys spending time photographing landscapes, aurora’s and astrophotography. Family time at the bach, gardening and reading are favourite pastimes.

Andy moved to New Zealand from Scotland in 2012 to continue his career within the civil and construction industry in Ashburton, he now calls Mid Canterbury home. It was here that Andy met his Scottish Wife, who also immigrated to Ashburton with her extended family who moved to Ashburton to further their careers within the agricultural industry. Andy and Stacy are happily married with two young children. The family absolutely love Mid Canterbury and the lifelong friends and connections they have made within the community. Andy has a strong and very diverse background as a commercial manager and general manager within the UK and the South Islands civil and construction industry. Now working within the Rural Sector as the General Manager for Rural Transport Ltd, Andy seized the opportunity to further his governance experience within the voluntary sector linked to the heart of Mid Canterbury’s primary industries. This is where Andy hopes his diverse industry knowledge and passion for mental health advocacy can be effectively used at a local level.