A Hawke's Bay farmer is on a mission to improve the mental health of people living in rural communities.
On Friday Matt Holden brought hundreds of Hawke's Bay locals together, encouraging them to embrace wellbeing and be open if they need support.
Yesterday afternoon more than 300 Hawke's Bay locals came together for Mates of Mates for Mates, a wellbeing event created by Havelock North farmer Matt Holden.
Inspired by a simple press-up challenge during lockdown in 2020, he made it his mission to tackle mental health issues in rural New Zealand.
After experiencing firsthand the challenges Hawke's Bay has endured in 2023 alone, he thought there was no better place to host his inaugural event.
"For me on a personal note, what gives me the greatest satisfaction is just giving my time to help others," he said.
Along with plenty of kai and catch-ups, it was an afternoon filled with stories, advice and of course plenty of push-ups.
Former TV host Matt Chisholm was among those to share their experiences, saying he often struggled in silence.
"I just know that if I can be honest with where I've been in life, that will help others be honest with themselves," he said.
Ninety-eight-year-old Hamilton Logan, a local legend who survived both the 1931 Earthquake and 1938 Esk Valley Flood, also offered some words of wisdom.
"The most precious thing we have been given is life, and life is for living. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen," he said.
Every dollar raised at the event was gifted to Hawke's Bay's Rural Support Trust.
"It's a really heartwarming experience to be fair, so many people have chosen to come along to this event," said David Todd, who works for the trust.
But Holden is just getting started.
Plans are already in the works for more editions of Mates of Mates for Mates with the farmer setting no limits for how far they could go.
"Hopefully this will help many, many people and not just in New Zealand but around the globe," Holden said.
So expect to see him and his mates in a rural community near you.
