Need help?
Environment Southland is among several organisations in Murihiku Southland that offer support to farmers.
If you need some advice or even just someone to talk through any issues with, there are a wide range of resources and support services available to you.
Check out the services offered by the organisations below, as well as their contact details.
Southland Rural Support Trust
The Southland Rural Support Trust assists rural individuals and their families in getting back on their feet following challenging circumstances such as financial, personal, or climatic adverse events. Contact us any time for a confidential chat about you, your business, the weather, your finances, a neighbour, partner, friend, family/whānau, or a farm team member.
Phone: 0800 787 254 (0800 RURAL HELP)
Email: southland@ruralsupport.org.nz
Website: www.rural-support.org.nz
Southland Federated Farmers
Southland Federated Farmers represents local farmers views within the region, alongside its advocacy role with local and central government when it comes to regulations. They also offer a variety of services such as management, financial, employment and administration support.
Phone: 0800 327 646
Website: www.fedfarm.org.nz
MPI On Farm Support
On Farm Support is focused on supporting farmers and growers to take an integrated approach to farm planning, tackling environmental challenges, adapting to change, and connecting farmers and growers to existing services.
Farm planning support
- Access to integrated farm planning, support, and advice
- Assistance with preparing and responding for adverse events
- Help with improving on farm biosecurity resilience
- Help with how best to integrate riparian and tree planting
- Links to locally run catchment groups and expertise.
Phone: 0800 70 71 33
Email: SouthlandOFS@mpi.govt.nz
Website: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/agriculture/farm-managemen...
Thriving Southland & local catchment groups
Thriving Southland connects you with members of the farming community (catchment groups) and supports you on this journey. They provide free resources, support great events and empower you to take ownership of local issues so they can be addressed and resolved. Its dedicated team of coordinators is there to encourage and develop groups, get projects off the ground and inspire community action.
Catchment groups work together to take action towards a common vision.
Phone: 021 466 700
Email: office@thrivingsouthland.co.nz
Website: www.thrivingsouthland.co.nz
Environment Southland land sustainability team
The Environment Southland land sustainability team is available by phone, email, and on-farm visits to provide advice on land management issues and good environmental practices.
Phone: 0800 76 88 45
Email: service@es.govt.nz
Website: www.es.govt.nz
Farmstrong
Farmstrong is an initiative to help farmers, growers and their families to cope with the ups and downs of farming by sharing things they can do to look after themselves and the people in their business. Their website provides resources on improving your wellbeing to help you live well to farm well.
Website: www.farmstrong.co.nz
1737 - Need to talk?
Whatever you’re going through, 24-hours a day, 1737 is available free to talk to a trained counsellor or peer support worker. They offer brief one-on-one counselling support.
Call or text: 1737
Depression.org.nz & the Depression Hotline
The depression.org.nz website provides resources on understanding mental health and starting the conversation if you are struggling.
Call the Depression Hotline and they will offer support from trained councillors.
Website: www.depression.org.nz
Call: 0800 111 757
In crisis?
If you or someone you know is in crisis, follow the below.
1. If anyone is in immediate physical danger, call 111
2. Or go to your nearest hospital emergency department
3. Phone the Otago Southland Mental Health Crisis team on 0800 467 846 and press 1 for Southland
