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Farmstrong Gets $6.8m Boost To Aid Rural Wellbeing

New Zealand Government Continues Investment in Farmstrong Programme

Three men standing in a green pasture on a New Zealand farm, engaging in conversation next to a quad bike; one man pets a golden dog while the group smiles, set against rolling hills and a blue sky.
Farmers gather in a paddock to connect, illustrating the social wellbeing goals of the Farmstrong programme, which has received renewed funding from the New Zealand Government to reduce agricultural injuries.

The Government has renewed funding for the rural wellbeing initiative Farmstrong, Associate Minister for ACC Nicola Grigg announced. The first phase of this five-year agreement involves an investment of $2.7 million, contributing to a total funding commitment of $6.8 million.

Agriculture remains one of New Zealand’s highest-risk sectors for workplace injuries. In 2024, ACC recorded over 17,000 new claims for work-related agricultural injuries, with associated recovery costs of approximately $120 million.

The funding aims to lower both the frequency and severity of injuries in the agriculture and horticulture sectors by addressing the connection between wellbeing and injury risk, according to Ms Grigg.

Farmstrong was launched in 2016 through a partnership between ACC, FMG, and the Mental Health Foundation to provide enhanced psychosocial support for farmers and horticultural workers. Since its inception, the programme has achieved a return on investment of $7.85 per dollar spent, saving over 9,800 injury claims and $52 million in claims costs.

Ms Grigg emphasized the importance of wellbeing for sector productivity, noting that supporting farmers is essential for the overall health of New Zealand’s economy.

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