Victoria Cross recipient Willie Apiata will speak at a rural wellbeing event in Waipara next month, bringing farmers, winegrowers and rural communities together to discuss resilience, connection and the pressures of rural life.

The North Canterbury Rural Support Trust will host its “I’m good… are you?” event at the Waipara Winehouse on Thursday, September 24.

The trust said the event followed the success of an earlier gathering in Dunsandel and was being held in Waipara to make it accessible to winegrowers and viticulturists as well as farmers.

North Canterbury Rural Support Trust wellness coordinator Jenny Cations Brown said many people across the region were continuing to face pressure from weather, financial uncertainty and difficult growing conditions.

“Erratic climate conditions remain a challenge for farmers and growers in this area, and some are already planning for what may be an extremely dry summer,” she said.

“Winegrowers have also been squeezed by structural oversupply within the industry, which means some may be facing low returns on their yield.”

Apiata was awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery under fire while serving in Afghanistan.

Cations Brown said his rural upbringing and personal experiences helped him connect with people facing challenges outside military life.

“Willie carries a huge amount of mana in New Zealand, but his ability to connect so deeply with rural people comes from shared values and a story many people can relate to.”

Apiata grew up in Te Kaha on the East Coast, with family connections to forestry, farming and market gardening.

During the wellbeing series, he speaks about challenges he has faced personally and the ways he has dealt with difficult periods in his life.

Cations Brown said providing opportunities for people to leave their properties and spend time with others could make a significant difference.

“When your family, your finances and your working days are all bound to the same piece of land, that land can sometimes start to feel like a pressure cooker,” she said.

“Getting off the property, connecting with other people and realising ‘it’s not just me’ can make a real difference.”

She said Apiata also speaks about mental exhaustion and how his love of horses helped him remain grounded.

“Listening to a highly decorated soldier openly talk about mental exhaustion can help people recognise some of those same signs of hidden stress in themselves.”

The event is part of a national Rural Support Trust wellbeing series aimed at encouraging rural communities to connect and talk openly about mental wellbeing.

The Rural Support Trust provides free and confidential support to farmers, growers and rural communities during challenging periods.

The Waipara event will begin at 6.15pm with a grazing table and informal gathering, with Apiata speaking from 7pm.

Bookings are available through the Rural Support Trust website.