Taranaki

Marcia, after a long career at Inland Revenue, joined Taranaki Rural Support as Coordinator in April 2015. The first challenge was 2 months into the role - providing response and recovery to the farmers impacted by the floods. Over her first 10 years the Trust supported 1870 calls for support, which has led to a varied and challenging role, a chance to meet amazing farmers within communities and to make a difference in outcomes working alongside individuals.

Amanda is a fifth-generation dairy farmer, working alongside her husband Greg and their two children on a 310-hectare high-altitude farm nestled on the boundary of Egmont National Park, surrounded by extended family. Her passion for rural governance has led her to serve as Chair of the Taranaki OSPRI Committee, where she contributes to the national TB and NAIT programmes. She also enjoys her role as Deputy Chair of the New Plymouth Districts Veterinary Group Executive Committee. Amanda is deeply committed to supporting farmers, advocating for animal welfare, and protecting the environment. From her farm, she can see the lights of New Plymouth and beyond — often prompting the question, “Why would I want to be anywhere else?” Taranaki proud. Biosecurity defender.

Jasmin Kuriger is a Chartered Accountant at BDO Taranaki with extensive experience and a strong understanding of the agricultural sector. Based in Inglewood, she has deep rural roots shaped by her upbringing and close family ties to farming. Jasmin is passionate about supporting farmers and rural communities, and is committed to helping them navigate the unique challenges of today’s environment.

Joe is a semi-retired agricultural consultant based in Hawera for the past 38 years. He has been involved with the Trust since its inception - firstly as an advisor on behalf of the then MAF in the setting up phase and then as a Trustee. Joe is married to Cath a retired primary school principal and they have 3 adult children. Joe is the past chair of the Rural Advisory group of Civil Defence and Emergency Management.

Mark serves as a Trustee through a Federated Farmers appointment clause in the Trust Deed, fostering valuable alignment between the two organisations. He farms a fourth-generation dairy property in Lepperton alongside his wife Merryn. Together, they have eight children, with two still living at home.

Amanda Burling is a Chartered Accountant with lifelong ties to the primary industry, raised on a sheep and beef farm, later dairy farming, rousie work in Taranaki and Otago, and now accounting alongside supporting her partner in shepherding and management roles. Amanda is mum of three, all engaged in the rural sector, with one studying Ag Science at Lincoln. She has recently moved from Taranaki, but her roots remain strong through family, friends, and clients. Amanda is passionate about building resilience in farming through three pillars: financial, farming systems, and the mental and physical wellbeing of rural people. These pillars are interconnected and vital to success. Having witnessed the effects of mental health struggles both personally and professionally, Amanda was eager to join the Taranaki Rural Support Trust as a trustee. She is committed to continuous learning, supporting others, and finding solutions to help individuals and businesses thrive.

Ryan has 12 years of hands-on dairy farming experience and has worked as a DairyNZ Consulting Officer and Operations Manager for a large-scale corporate farm. He now runs his own advisory business, The Ag Advisor Ltd, offering strategic, financial, and performance support to the rural sector. He also leads a team contract milking 450 cows. Based in Egmont Village with his wife Sarah and their two children, Ryan is passionate about helping people succeed.

Malcolm is a semi-retired dairy farmer from Lepperton, North Taranaki. With his wife Kim, they have successfully run a 180-cow dairy farm for over 40 years. While raising their four children, Malcolm served on the Huirangi School Board of Trustees. He has spent over 20 years on local and national governance boards, driven by a passion for community housing and supporting vulnerable families. Community service is important to him and he has held various roles, including Elder at their local Christian church in Bell Block. Malcolm is keen to use his governance experience to support the Rural Support Trust in addressing rural challenges.

Andrew is a committed advocate for New Zealand’s rural community, with a strong background in business management, leadership, and the agricultural sector. His experience in territory management, real estate, and agri-business has given him a solid grasp of the challenges rural enterprises face. Andrew brings a strategic mindset, strong networks, and a passion for sustainable development, and is eager to support this initiative to enhance rural well-being. As a family man and active community member, he is driven to help Taranaki’s rural community thrive.

Graeme has been involved with the Trust since 2007, serving as both Coordinator and Chair. Although he stepped down as a Trustee in 2024, he continues to support the Trust in an Associate capacity, particularly during Adverse Events. “It is a privilege working with our rural communities, finding a pathway for people who experience difficulty and adversity.” Graeme previously farmed in Toko and now lives in Bell Block with his wife Noeline. He is a Trustee of the People's Activity Centre in Stratford, which offers alternative education for high school students, and also serves as a Trustee of the Lehmann Trust, which provides agricultural scholarships to students in universities and training institutes. Together, Graeme and Noeline run Evergreens, a community group in Bell Block that hosts monthly speakers and activities for people aged 65 and over.