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Growing vibrant rural communities

Community

As New Zealand’s only specialist food and agri bank, we understand the importance of strong rural communities. That’s why we set up the Rabo Community Fund to support community-led initiatives around New Zealand. Initiatives that help our rural communities to grow and thrive.

Community Hero Banner Rabo Community Fund Banner

What is the Rabo Community Fund?

The Rabo Community Fund is used to support initiatives that help develop thriving rural communities and is fully funded by Rabobank New Zealand. Resourced with a dedicated pool of funding specifically for community-led initiatives, the Rabo Community Fund aims to further contribute to the vibrancy and resilience of rural New Zealand through tangible, meaningful initiatives.

The Rabo Client Councils

The Rabo Client Councils are a group of diverse Rabobank clients who meet regularly to identify and discuss the challenges facing the agricultural sector and to support initiatives that contribute to a sustainable food and agribusiness industry.

The community initiatives we've been proudly helping to grow

Growing Future Farmers

Free on-farm training by farmers, for future farmers

Educating the next generation of farmers through on-farm placements and programmes designed to give students the skills to excel in their chosen field.

Meat the Need

Farmers feeding families

A programme that enables farmers to donate meat and milk to local food banks to feed those in need with Meat the Need in the middle to make it all happen.

Surfing for Farmers

Taking to the waves to reduce stress

Encouraging farmers to get off-farm and into the surf during summer to recharge and focus on their wellbeing.

Garden to Table

Grow, harvest, prepare and share

Enabling schools and tamariki throughout New Zealand to deliver, embed and sustain impactful food education. 

Hear their stories

Farm2Future (FOODX)

Share Mongolia

Agribusiness in Schools

Financial Skills Workshops

Ag Pathways

Good Deeds

"We’re committed to help grow vibrant rural communities by supporting rural community projects through the Rabo Community Fund"

Jeffrey Morrison, Head of Client Councils  Rabobank New Zealand

Community Fund Funds Invested

Support provided across New Zealand in 2024

Agribusiness in Schools

Ag Pathways

Alton Library and Coronation Hall

Arkhangai Sheep Shearing and Wool enhancement project

Ashburton Community Garden

Atiamuri Community Hall

Edendale Aquifier Group Nitrogen

Early Career Farmers Group

Farm2Future

Farmers on Skis

Financial Skills Workshops

Garden to Table

George the Farmer

Goals to Gold

Grassroots Dairy Graduate Trust

Growing Future Farmers

Hedgehope School

Karioi Domain Hall

Korakonui School Composting System

Meat the Need

Ngaroma War Memorial Hall

North Canterbury Farm Break Event

Omatane Hall

On-Farm Fatalities NZ Quad Bike Initiative

Otage Southland Farmers Support

Peak Safety First Aid

Pukehina Surf Club

Puketapu School Parent League

Ronald McDonald Dunedin House

Rural Riders

Rural Support Trust

Rural Women's Mental Health Podcast Series and Live Event

Safer Farms

South Canterbury Farm Break Event

South Westland Area School Heart of the School Project

Southland Farm Planning Workshops

Sports and Healthy Living Lincoln University

Stanway Hall

Swannaroa School The Seeds of Learning Programme

Surfing for Farmers

Tapora Land Coast Care Group

Taranaki Sustainable Farms Trail

Te Ranga School Possum & Pest Hunt

The Forest Bridge Trust

Think Safe Brain Campaign

Tirorangi Pa

Whangarei A&P Farm Skills Intern Camp