Rural Support Trust Bay of Plenty

Mission Statement
Supporting and strengthening rural people and their communities through challenging times.

What We Do
The Rural Support Trust (RST) provides free and confidential support to farmers, growers, contractors, workers, and rural families across the region. Our focus is on people. We walk alongside individuals and whānau when times are tough, helping them navigate stress, pressure, financial or business challenges, health concerns, or personal difficulties. We listen, connect, and help create a plan forward.

Our trained Facilitators understand rural life and the pressures that come with running a farm or rural business. We meet people where they are – on farm, at home, over the phone, or at the kitchen table – and we work alongside other services such as health providers, farm advisors, financial counsellors, and rural professionals to ensure the right support is available.

We also play a key role when adverse events occur. This includes supporting rural communities through floods, storms, drought, disease outbreaks, and other disruptions. We work with Civil Defence, industry organisations, councils, and government agencies to coordinate welfare, recovery, and community resilience efforts.

Alongside one-on-one support and adverse event response, we help build strong rural communities by hosting local catch-ups, wellbeing events, workshops, and practical skill-building activities. These events create connection and reduce isolation, helping people look out for each other.

In everything we do, our approach is grounded in trust, listening, care, and local knowledge. We are here to ensure that no rural person feels alone, and that help is available early, before challenges become crises.