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Men’s champion Jay Reeve and Women’s champion Abbey MacDonald celebrate after earning their place at the World Stone Skimming Championships in Scotland. Photo Deanna Gerlach An icy start on the shores of Lake Hāwea did little to deter the crowds gathering for the inaugural Aotearoa Stone Skimming Championships. The event, held on May 16, was presented by Novus Glass supporting Melanoma New Zealand. Wrapped in puffer jackets and beanies, spectators lined the lake edge while c

Farmers across Mid Canterbury are encouraged to step away from the pressures of the paddock this weekend, and focus on connection, wellbeing, and a bit of friendly competition at the upcoming Tennis for Farmers event. Hosted by the Mid Canterbury Rural Support Trust, the event will be held on Sunday, May 17, from 3-7pm at the Ashburton Trust Tennis Centre. Organisers Tom Matteucci and Crystal Jewell are both third-year scholarship students from Lincoln University, and inspire

Maybe things haven’t gone the way you hoped lately. Maybe the season turned on you, the bills stacked up, or someone said something that affected you more than it should have. Rural life has a way of throwing curveballs with extra force — fuel prices, weather, markets, regulations, breakdowns, and the sheer unpredictability of working with land, animals, and machinery. There are absolutely things outside your control: what others say and do, luck, timing, the weather, traffic

The nation’s most decorated living war hero has something to say about arable farming, and last month, he visited Ashburton to deliver the message. Willie Apiata, to date the only recipient of the Victoria Cross in New Zealand, was recognised for carrying a wounded soldier to safety under fire in Afghanistan, and now he has delivered a series of talks to Canterbury farmers. His memo was simple. “Don’t be a dick, ask for help.” Apiata was clear. Whether on the battlefie

From left, John Chapman, CEO of MATES in Construction; Lucy Waterreus, CEO of ClubsNZ; Barbara Kuriger, MP for King Country and Taranaki, deputy speaker of the house, and Patron of the Whatever with Wiggy Charitable Trust; and Craig Wiggins, meeting in Parliment in 2025. Supplied. Rising fuel costs are placing fresh pressure on rural New Zealand, adding to the growing burden of many local farmers. And Craig Wiggins, founder of the Mid Canterbury ‘Whatever With Wiggy’ mental h

If I asked you to name three or four events that have happened to you over the last few years, what comes to mind? Probably the big stuff. Accidents. Break‑ups. Graduations. Getting engaged. Someone dying. But notice that I didn’t say major events. Like most people, your mind likely jumped straight to the significant moments—the ones that feel dramatic or life‑defining—when the truth is that each and every day contains dozens of small events that can offer wonder, comfort, a

Following on from last month’s article about recognising when it might be time to seek professional support, this month we’re looking at what actually happens when you see a counsellor, psychologist, or therapist for the first time. Rural people are good at getting on with things. We fix machinery with whatever’s in the shed, we check on neighbours after a storm, and we shoulder more than we ever say out loud. But even the most capable people hit patches where the load gets t

Mark Ferguson, chief executive of neXtgen Agri, is taking on a 2,000km movement challenge across 2026 to raise funds and awareness for brain cancer research. Supplied. Christchurch-based neXtgen Agri chief executive Mark Ferguson has set himself a significant challenge for 2026 — walking, running or riding 2,000 kilometres over the year to raise funds and awareness for brain cancer research. The challenge, called TwentySix2000, was inspired by the diagnosis of one of his clos

Stress, worry, and low moods are part of the human experience. Everyone encounters moments of emotional strain, especially in today’s unpredictable world. Yet when these feelings persist or begin to interfere with daily life, they may signal something more serious than ordinary ups and downs. Distinguishing between everyday challenges and knowing when professional care might be needed, is an important step toward protecting your wellbeing. If you find yourself overwhelmed by

With Mental Health Week just having past, it’s great to see awareness building on the topic – an issue that has always existed, but with more visibility and acknowledgement, comes a perception that problems are increasing. If you don’t struggle with your mental health, that is great. You lucked in when mental health issues were being randomly assigned to around a quarter of the population, or roughly half of us over the entirety of our lives. But if you haven’t had the misf

Farmers don’t equipment or experience to join Surfing for Farmers- they just need to show up. Supplied. When Stephen Thomson first had the idea for Surfing for Farmers, he never imagined it would grow into one of New Zealand’s most celebrated grassroots wellbeing initiatives. What began with a handful of Gisborne farmers hitting the surf in 2018 has now evolved into 25 beach locations nationwide, with farmers ditching Swanndris for wetsuits and hitting the water 8,000 times i

“I just want to be happy”. Something I hear on an almost daily basis, in my personal and professional roles. It’s also something everybody wants for their children – and with good reason. Why would we not? Being happy has become the holy grail of wellness, a sign of excellent mental health, and the panacea to all of life’s ills. It’s also a message we constantly see everywhere: movies, TV, framed wall art, clothing, social media, and just our culture in general. Think: Don’t