Rural industry leaders return en force for the benefit of Rural Support Trust

19 May 2026

RURAL INDUSTRY LEADERS RETURN EN FORCE FOR THE BENEFIT OF RURAL SUPPORT TRUST

A dinner, debate and auction event with a difference, held for the first time in 2025, is back by popular demand on 10 June to celebrate the start of Fieldays 2026. 

The inaugural Rural Industry Leaders fundraiser, the brainchild of Taranaki’s Mike Green and Marton’s Sue Foley and ably supported by Roger Beaumont and Peter Parussini both from Auckland, was a roaring success, raising over $300k for the benefit of Rural Support Trust.

“We were blown away by the response last year with a remarkable turn-out of leading rural companies and business leaders coming together for the benefit of Rural Support Trust’s important work,” says Mike Green.

“Thanks to the outstanding efforts of the rural industry, the Rural Support Trust was able to bolster its great work helping country communities in their times of need,” says Mike. 

This year, a total of 32 notable rural sector companies have taken the opportunity to come onboard with another 30 providing sponsorship and online and live auction contributions. 

A highlight of last year’s dinner event was a battle of wits with a light-hearted debate bringing the house down with clever banter and verbal jousting delighting the packed venue of 540 guests.

“The debate was a huge hit, so we’re excited to have Hon Shane Jones, Hon Kieran McAnulty, Suze Redmayne MP, Te Radar and Jessica Mutch McKay joining us on 10 June, all under the watchful eye of adjudicator Dr Jacqueline Rowarth,” says Mike.

“We’re also thrilled to be going live this week with an online auction which runs through to Sunday, 14 June. Here you’ll find up to 60 valuable items generously donated by a wide range of sponsors, including water troughs, grass seed, fence posts, a motorbike, a generator and cattle stop – to name but a few.”

This will be complemented by a live auction at the evening event with outstanding experiences from Blue Duck Station, VIP tickets to the NZ Golf Open, Afimilk collars and stunning sculptures from up-and-coming talents Jamie Thomas and Blake Harnett. All information can be found at www.ruralindustryleaders.nz

This original team, which enabled last year’s dinner, debate and auction event, has cemented itself through the formation of the Rural Industry Leaders entity with its focus on supporting wellness and growing opportunities.

“We now have a sustainable event and fundraising model and are delighted to see our efforts go from strength to strength with plans already afoot to take things to the next level in 2027," concludes Mike.

The Rural Industry Leaders online auction is available  from 8pm on Wednesday, 20 May.