Ashburton Courier: September 10, 2020

NEWS
28 Ashburton Courier, September 10, 2020
Farmer connections ahit with Wiggins
TONI.WILLIAMS
@ashburtoncourier.co.nz
Craig Wiggins puts his head
above the parapet, but only for
acause.
He likestohelpfarmers, and
facilitate help.
He is apublic figure working
as an MC, columnist,
videographer, sports
commentator, horse trainer
and farmer.
Andinhis spare timeheisa
ruralhealth advocate and
farmer wellbeing champion.
He putshis ability to connect
with otherstogood use.
ThereisaFarmer First rural
health caravan ­set up with
Rakaia GP Dr Sue Fowlie ­
which put a‘‘rock in the water
and created some pretty big
splashes’’, Craig said.
It highlighted agap in rural
health and was away to getaGP
to farm events and normalise
regular health checksfor
farmers.
Thecaravan is parked up at
ruralevents nationwide to
encourage farmers to pop in for
acheck.
It was purchased, refitted and
backed with support of Feilding
couple Dean and Cushla
Williamson, and is expected in
the long­term to be placed
under ownership of the
Saleyards Silhouette Charitable
Trust.
‘‘We know thatmanyfarmers
often put other priorities ahead
of regular health checks ... many
farmers have limited accessto
health services and many face
social isolation.’’
There is also the annual
Farming Family Day at the
Races events, his work as
facilitator, workplace
engagements and an online
ruralforum every Thursday
night, called Whatever with
Wiggi.
The online Zoom sessions
started during the nationwide
Covid­19 lockdownasaway to
connectwith other farmers.
In early March Craig, 52, had a
whiteboard and diary full of
engagements through until late­
July. Then the country went into
lockdown.
‘‘For thefirst time in my life,I
had nowhere (I had to be). AndI
thought, Iwon’t be the only
one.’’
ThefirstZoom session 15
people turned up, through word
of mouth.
‘‘It has morphedintoareal
support network, and acurrent
affairs network,’’ he said.
Therehave been guest
speakers: the first was Sir David
Fagan, but there has been
Hamish Marr, politicians
including David Bennett and
Barbara Kuriger, and Damien
O’Connor has fronted twice, the
latest to speak about freshwater
policy and 90 people logged in.
They have covered arange of
Left: Craig Wiggins finds
working with horses agreat
stress reliever.
topics including migrant
workers, road user taxes,
sharemilking issues, and
glyphosate use andall under
Chatham House Rules to allow
free discussion.
Some of thediscussion topics
have made it intomainstream
media and to Parliament.
‘‘Whatever with Wiggi is just a
facilitator to let people have
voice,’’ Craig said. ‘‘It’s opened
lines of communication and lets
people know what’s going on.’’
Post lockdownthe groupis
still going strong andhas grown
to more than 710 group
members.
Not everyone is on at the same
time, but there is talk about
adding asecond weeklysession.
Members are stretched from
Kerikeri to Invercargill and
over arange of industries, from
farmers to decision­makers and
media.
Craig said his activities would
not be possible without the
support of wife, Annabelle.
He grew up on asheep and
beef farm in Raetihi, near Mt
Ruapehu in the North Island.
Hisgrandparents were
farmers, andhis parents Neil
and Jenibought aneigbouring
property before taking over the
family farm. Neil died youngat
aged 53 and Craig eventually
bought some of his mother’s
share in the 303 hectare
property.
He met Annabelle on the
rodeo circuit –she is a
competitive barrel racer andhe
was acommentator–and while
they lived together in the North
Island for awhile, they
eventually made the decision to
move south.
It was Annabelle’shome
district; her parents were at the
Rakaia Gorge.
They both liked Methven and
bought a30hectare property on
Methven Dromore Road, north
of Ashburton, in 2007.
On the farm theyhave quite a
few horses used forclerking or
barrel racing. Their daughters
Genevieve, 8, andLilly, 5, also
have ponies.
They farm yearling cattle and
grow pak choy for seed.
“It works. Istill feel like I’m a
little bit of afarmer,” he said.
Craig’s work, whether
commentating rodeo,jet
sprinting or agricultural events
hasincluded worknationwide
as well as overseas in Canada
and Australia so there was alot
of travel –upto85flights ayear
–soaMidCanterbury based was
ideal.
Not only isitagreat place for
their familybut Annabelle’s
parents live at Staveley, along
the foothills, and Craig’s
mother,Jeni, has moved to
Ashburton.
Four years agoCraig was
approached by horse trainers
Ricky andJudyMay to clerk the
course at Methven races. The
work has grown to doing 40­plus
days of clerking with extra race
meets at Addington, Ashburton
and Rangiora.
Andheloves it.
‘‘It’s really good fun. Being on
ahorse is my stress relief,” he
said.
Another is whipping up
dishes in the kitchen, including
anything he catches or hunts.
Leavea
lasting
legacy to the
community
you love
With September being Wills month it’s a
timely reminder of the importance ofhaving
an up to date will.
If you’re considering leaving agift to the
community in your will, contact Sandi at
Advance Ashburton to enquire how your gift
can support the causes you love, forever.
Advance Ashburton Community Foundation
–where your gift stays local, goes further
and lasts forever.
027 577 5875
advanceashburton.org.nz