Health & Wellbeing

George and Wiggy talk about some of the biggest changes in 2023, lessons learnt and more.

"The big challenge is getting stock off the island on that boat and at the moment the boat's been really patchy," Ginny Dodunski said.

After being pulled over and charged with drink-driving, Freddy Gane used his lesson as an opportunity to raise further awareness around the drinking culture in rural NZ.

"I'm away from home a heck of a lot now, just about more than when I was commentating," Wiggy said when he revealed his plans to sell his farm.

Ka Ora Telecare has secured the contract to deliver this service for the next three years, marking a promising era for enhanced healthcare services in rural NZ.

Holden’s initiative not only brings people together but also highlights the importance of physical and mental well-being.

International Keynote speaker Julia Jones returns with feedback from attending the Australia National Farmers Federation Annual Conference last week.

As the saying goes, failing to plan is planning to fail - and in this case, the stakes are too high to ignore.

Katie Cox is a well-known trainer/rider in her community and has seen a flood of support come in through Wiggy's charitable foundation.

Phil Duncan also warned of some wild weather that could potentially be on the way next week.

The report disclosed an 8% reduction in sales of antibiotics critical for human health, totalling 6,285kg in 2022, the lowest since 2017.

Most people have just a few 'good bones' in their body but Krissy has an entire skeleton of good bones, which is just one reason why she is one of Hamish's Heroes.

Hurdling over obstacle after obstacle, Gisborne farmer Kim Mossman's attitude and outlook for life easily qualify him for Hamish's Hero status.

"This is what we do as farmers, we feed our community and we’re making that connection through food," Langford said.

"Communication amongst all parties is massive," CMK accountant Andrew Darke told REX.

"People who live more rurally basically just die more. They die sooner and they also die from more preventable illnesses," Dr Nina Su told REX.

The question posed to you this week was: What advice would you give to a young farmer two years out from returning to the family farm?

The Dairy farmer spoke to REX about managing over 400 cows, his mental health and well-being as well as sitting on the North Canterbury fishing game board.

Professor of Nutritional Sciences at the Riddet Institue, Professor Warren McNabb hopes to create an NZ version of Delta.

REX host Dominic George sat down with rural mental health advocate Craig 'Wiggy' Wiggins to see what you had to say.

"There are two things politics probably shouldn't get involved in, but they do. One is sport and the other is education," Wiggy told REX.

"If you sign up for a new connection with Netspeed, we'll bring $100 to the charity or club of your choice," Stan Rivett told REX.

"I think we need to bridge that gap a little bit more, rather than just making complaints," Casinader told REX.

His story serves as a powerful reminder of the risks and rewards in the world of farming.

The guest speaker for the event is none other than Jehan Casinader, a former TVNZ reporter who's been through some dark times himself.

A standout feature of this event is that attendees get to hear first-hand from Emma Poole, the young farmer of the year.

The Southland Dairy farmer believes grassroots farmers need to be involved in the decision-making for farming industries across the country.

Former All Black and Gisborne farmer Ian Kirkpatrick joins Hamish McKay to talk about rural mental health, rugby, farming and more.

Bird's sobriety journey wasn't easy, especially with the social pressures that came with his rugby and rodeo environments.

While Dr Badenhorst was impressed by Waaka and Bond's performances throughout the testing on the night she concluded that iron was the true winner.

Horticulture NZ is partnering with a number of organisations to fully understand and execute the concept of this project as effectively as possible.

Co-founder Bryce McKenzie hopes the journey will inspire conversation and long-term legislative change over time.

According to Wiggy, many farmers are "checking out," choosing to leave their farms and seek other opportunities.

All the money donated will go to the Rural Change Program which is supporting rural people, anyone involved in agriculture, with their mental health.

Just 12.5% of meat alternatives displayed a 3.5 health star rating or higher compared to 91% of legumes, tofu and beans.

It is the second consecutive farmer confidence survey to reach an all-time low, showing a precipitous decline over the past six months.

"People were paying well over what things were worth to support mental health," Wiggy told REX.

"We can't keep doing men's mental health and suicide prevention the way we always have," writes Hamish McKay.

It is a strange feeling, almost claustrophobic, standing on silt that is so high, I can touch the ceiling in every single room.

Craig 'Wiggy' Wiggins has been invited to share his 'Lean on a gate, talk to a mate' campaign at a fencing conference in the US.

Ranging anywhere from 5km to a full marathon, these fantastic farmers are running to fundraise for a great cause.

"We've got farmers who are struggling and I am really worried about them," Anyika Scotland told REX.

Christopher Luxon told REX they plan to fix potholes within 24 hours as well as repaving 2% of NZ's roading network each year.

Registration is now closed for the first meeting but tickets are still available for the 30th of July.

The biggest disparity is found in those under 30, where rural mortality rates were double that of urban centers.

79-year-old Karina Courtmanche shared a powerful bond with horse Bella for over 30 years.

The results indicated higher mortality rates in rural areas across all age groups under 60.

The government has also responded to the adverse wet conditions in the Bay of Plenty region by providing an extra $50,000 for support.

The proposed medical school aims to produce doctors who are dedicated to serving in provincial and rural areas.

Once all the craze, experts now predict 'meat alternatives' may soon be on the decline when it comes to popularity.

"Let's get as much help as we can into those communities and make sure we are looking after people."

She told REX while it sounds really cheesy, understanding that whether it's immediate or in the longer term, there is good in everything.

Tim Gale told REX a lot of work goes into volunteering, especially in the hunting sector.

"That old saying, a problem shared is a problem halved, maybe it's an opportunity shared is an opportunity put on steroids?"

Co-founder Margie Hunt explains how the product came to be, its benefits and more.

Gabrielle took everything from some families, and those are the people my thoughts rest with.

Wiggins was also very impressed to see a number of young women competing at Fieldays.

“Some farm managers have the title but don’t have access to the financial budget.”

Shane Bird talks about the simple steps anyone can take for a more productive and fulfilling lifestyle.

Simon Adams believes Kiwis take water safety far too lightly and hopes to inspire change.

Veterinarian trainer Stuart Bruere told Hamish McKay how he believes the rural community can change to encourage more vets to work in rural clinics.

Mental health advocate Sam Owen told Rural Exchange he was seeing division right across the sector and within its own sub-industries.

Cyclone Gabrielle has revealed cracks in Aotearoa's rural health system.