April 06, 2021
MPI funds mental health help for shearers
The Ministry for Primary Industries has stepped in to fund counselling services for rural Māori with addiction and mental health issues in South Otago.
Māori agribusiness director Andrew McConnell says the $54,000 grant will allow Māori provider Tokomairiro Waiora to run the service for a further year while it investigates long-term funding.
The funding will be used to run health workshops in Milton and Lawrence for shearers and their whānau.
It will also facilitate three wānanga to encourage rangatahi into careers in the primary sector, as well as offer wellbeing support, and meditation, budgeting, literacy and life skills.
Tokomairiro Waiora manager Jo Kingi says some rangatahi in the sector struggle due to mental health issues and poor life choices outside of work.
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