A Christchurch social enterprise is helping deliver a new free online mental health and wellbeing service for farmers and growers across New Zealand.

Ignite has joined Farmlands, the country’s largest farmer owned rural supplies co operative, and Rural Support Trust to provide the service through ignite’s digital platform.

The three year partnership will fund more than 1,500 free sessions, giving farmers, growers, farm workers and their families access to counsellors, psychologists, career coaches, nutritionists and other wellbeing professionals.

Support can be provided by video call, phone, or in person.

Ignite director Sarina Finucane said the service went beyond counselling.

“This is about helping rural communities connect to specialist mental health and wellbeing support areas that aren’t offered locally,” Finucane said.

“This platform also offers more than just counselling. It’s holistic wellbeing, and alongside mental health providers users can book a session with a dietician, a business coach, or a financial mentor. It’s about resilience and growth, not just crisis support.”

The partnership was announced at the Rural Industry Leaders Dinner on the opening night of Fieldays 2026.

It comes as the Government’s draft Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2026 to 2036 identifies rural communities as a group experiencing poorer mental health outcomes.

Farmlands chief executive Tanya Houghton said the partnership removed long standing barriers to support.

“The barriers to mental health support in rural New Zealand are real: distance, cost, time off the farm, the discomfort of walking into a waiting room where everyone knows your name. This partnership takes those barriers away.

“With ignite’s technology, farmers choose how they get support: in person or online, wherever they are. Even if that’s the middle of a paddock.”

Rural Support Trust operates across 14 regions, providing free, confidential one on one support to rural families.

Chairperson Michelle Ruddell said the partnership widened access to professional help.

“Our facilitators have been walking up driveways for years, connecting rural families with support and help. Our partnership with Farmlands means we can now offer easier access to professional support when previously it may not have been possible due to access, cost and travel time,” Ruddell said.

“It’s a game changer for communities where getting to a counsellor might mean a two hour round trip.”

Sessions are available to book from today through rural-support.org.nz.