Rural organisations receive funding boost from Rabo Community Fund

As with the first round of funding earlier this year, Mr Charteris said, the bank’s Client Councils made the final decisions on where funding should be allocated.

“Our Councils have identified five key themes impacting the sector they want to help address – long-term industry capacity and agri education, environmental sustainability, natural disaster resilience, rural/urban connection and rural wellbeing – and all funding applications must align with at least one of these themes,” he said.

“We had 172 applications for the latest funding round, and our councils made their selections based on how much of an impact they felt the nominated organisation and their associated project would have in addressing one or more of these themes.”

Nuku Hadfield from the Guardians of Ruakituri Community Catchment Group in Northern Hawke’s Bay, one of the funding recipients, said the funds from the RCF would be used to advance Phase 2 of the Ruakituri Readiness Project.

“Ruakituri is an isolated rural valley that can be cut off from services for days at a time and, as a result, strengthening our ability to respond locally is not optional — it is essential,” she said.

“Phase 1 of the Readiness Project equipped the valley with communication tools, radios, defibrillators, and first aid supplies.

“This was a great start, but these assets can only be effective if supported by trained people, clear systems, regular practice, strong community connections, and a coordinated response plan.

“Phase 2 is all about doing just this and ensuring the community can use what we have, when it matters most.”

Mrs Hadfield said the Guardians committee was delighted to receive the funding which would help strengthen the community’s capacity to respond effectively and cohesively during emergencies.

“Specifically, the funding will be used to run community events at the Ruakituri Hall including two full practice day scenarios,” she said.

“It will also be used to fund a local Project Lead who will organise key events, co-ordinate with relevant local bodies, raise awareness of individual household responsibilities, and ultimately, act as the backbone of the whole project.”

Carla Murray, the president of Kaka Point Surf Life Saving Club, another of the recipients, said the funding would go towards the rebuilding of the organisation’s clubrooms.

“As a volunteer organisation serving the surrounding rural communities, our club is more than a surf lifesaving service, it’s a growing hub where people can connect, learn and support one another,” she said.

“Once completed, our new club rooms will provide a welcoming space for community meetings, junior surf and water safety programmes, life guarding training, local health initiatives, and rural gatherings.”

Ms Murray said Rabobank was well known to the surf club given both were heavily involved with the annual Surfing for Farmers (SFF) programme.

“Kaka Point has been the local venue for Surfing for Farmers for a number of years and we’re once again looking forward to hosting farmers at this year’s weekly sessions when the season kicks off in November,” she said.

“Rabobank is one of the major sponsors of this programme, and many of their local staff are regulars at the Surf Club as they’re often here helping out with SFF events.”

“We’re thrilled to receive this contribution towards the new surf club and excited about the positive impact it will have on the wider community.”

The latest round of Rabo Community Funding was the last for 2026 with two further funding allocations planned for 2027.