About us
At RRCC we empower farmers to work together to adopt the changes required to improve economic and environmental performance and to get ahead of societies expectations. We are a farmer-led collective, facilitating work within the Rangitīkei, Turakina and Whangaehu river catchments. We aid funding access and support catchment groups in achieving environmental goals. By collecting evidence, identifying research needs, and running educational workshops, we spark positive environmental change.
Our story
As a farmer-led collective, we are improving economic and environmental performance for those living and farming within the Rangitīkei, Turakina, and Whangaehu rivers catchment. With the power of the collective, we:
- Encourage and facilitate farmers to work collectively within their community catchment.
- Utilise our formal structure to provide a platform for accessing funding, which enables catchment groups to achieve their visions and goals.
- Collect evidence and identify the research and scientific needs of our catchment groups to achieve lasting environmental outcomes.
- Promotes sound environmental stewardship to our members through facilitating educational workshops and field days.
Our vision
Resilient, thriving communities achieving positive environmental outcomes.
We have ambitious goals to help farmers improve economic and environmental performance, to get ahead of societies expectations, and restore their pride in farming.
There are about 2,800 farms in the RRCC region, covering approximately 700,000 hectares – so there’s always more work to do! We’re keen to partner with like-minded organisations that would enable us to expand our efforts. The end goal is for our sub-catchment groups have the support and resources to achieve their long-term goals.
Our history
RRCC was established in 2017 by a small group of like-minded farmers wanting to strengthen the collaborative voice of Rangitikei farmers and inject the belief that, despite what media portrays, farmers are doing great things for the environment.
Triggered by pressure from changing council rules and government regulations and the impact this top-down approach was having on farmers, the group decided to develop a platform for a collective voice and an avenue to support, encourage and educate landowners navigate the changes and to get ahead of societies expectations so they could create a more bottom-up approach to changing regulations and rules.
Our people
Our people are the driving force behind everything RRCC stands for. As a farmer-led collective, it is important that all of our committee members are farmers within the RRCC area. With the support of our catchment coordinators and project manager, we facilitate widespread environmental change.
Our committee
Roger Dalrymple
Chairman
Sheep, beef, dairy, and arable cropping farmer – Bulls
Mark Chrystall
Vice Chairman
Sheep and beef farmer – Moawhango
Ruth Rainey
Secretary
Sheep and beef farmer – Kawhatau Valley
Simon Plimmer
Treasurer
Sheep and beef farmer/accountant – Upper Rangitīkei
Mike Cranstone
Committee
Sheep and beef farmer – Whangaehu
Our partners
Our goal is to enhance Rangitīkei’s economic and environmental well-being – and we simply could not do it without our partners. We wish to say a heartfelt thanks to our dedicated partners for their unwavering support.
Partner with us
Looking to support a cause focused on helping the river catchment environment?
We have ambitions goals to help Rangitīkei, Turakina, and Whangaehu river catchment communities improve economic and environmental performance and restore their pride in the food and fibre sector. There is always more we could do; we are keen to partner with organisations that enable us to expand our projects and ensure catchment groups have the support and resources they need to achieve their long-term goals.
