Every spring for the past 11 years, PGW and Ballance Agri-Nutrients have run the Cash for Communities programme to help raise funds for rural schools, clubs, charities and community organisations across New Zealand. One dollar is donated for every tonne of qualifying fertiliser bought between 1 September and 30 November.

We are pleased to announce that $46,000 has been raised this past spring, bringing the total to $696,000 since the programme launched. Over 850 farmers and growers selected over 170 different causes, including rescue helicopters, fire brigades, St John, schools, cancer societies and mental health organisations. The top earners for 2022 were Canterbury Westpac Rescue Helicopter ($2,639), North Canterbury Rural Support Trust ($1,615), and Southland Charity Hospital ($1,539).

This year’s donations really show how important access to medical care and mental health support is to our rural communities, with 40% of the programme’s total donations going towards St John, Rural Support Trust and rescue helicopters.

We are now in the process of distributing donations to nominated causes across New Zealand.