What is ConnectHER?

ConnectHER is Rural Women New Zealand's outreach and navigation service for rural women and their whānau. Local women, trusted by their communities, help other rural women find and access the support they need.

Services are pulling back from rural areas. GP clinics, government agencies, banks, and social services are increasingly hard to reach, especially for women who live far from towns, have limited transport, or face poor internet coverage. ConnectHER fills that gap. Not by creating new programmes, but by connecting women with what already exists.

ConnectHERs are currently operating in Southland and Wairoa/East Coast.

Sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. When you need support and aren’t sure where to turn, reach out to your ConnectHER.

Who ConnectHER is for

ConnectHER is for women who live rurally who aren't sure where to turn. That includes:

  • Women navigating government agencies such as WINZ, housing applications, and legal processes

  • Women experiencing family harm or unsafe relationships, isolated from crisis services and support networks

  • Women facing health challenges, including finding a GP, midwife, or specialist; accessing mental health support; navigating health services; and sorting out entitlements around appointments

  • Women managing financial hardship

  • Migrant women facing language, cultural, or access barriers

  • Women who feel isolated and want connection to local groups, events, or simply to someone who will listen.

What ConnectHERs do

Your local ConnectHER is a real person, a woman who lives in your area, knows the local landscape, and has built relationships with the services and agencies that can help.

  • She listens to what matters most to you and your whānau, helps you understand your options, and works with you to find solutions. She can meet you by phone, email, or in person, at home or in the community. She can connect you with mainstream services or, where it better fits your needs, with kaupapa Māori providers and culturally appropriate support.

ConnectHERs have built relationships with over 100 social agencies across both regions. Since late 2025 they have:

  • Connected women to mental health services, ACC, Women's Refuge, and housing support

  • Brought health services directly into rural communities, including specialist menopause education, mastectomy bra fittings, and pelvic health sessions, so women don't have to travel hundreds of kilometres

  • Hosted events to bring women from isolated communities together and share how to access the services they need

How ConnectHer works

Reach out by phone, email, or in person during normal office hours. Your ConnectHER will listen, help you understand your options, and identify the right support. If you'd like, she'll make the connection for you and follow up to make sure things are moving.

ConnectHER is not a 24/7 service, but you can leave a message, and someone will get back to you soon.

There is no cost. No referral needed. No wrong reason to call. If you know a woman in your rural community who could use support, encourage her to get in touch.

If you need emergency help please call 111 to talk with Police, Fire or Ambulance.

‍ConnectHERs are available during normal office hours, if no one answers please leave a message or contact one of the helpful numbers listed below:

Other helplines

1737 - Need to Talk?  Free call or text anytime, 24/7, to connect with a trained counselor.

0800 543 354  Lifeline

Free text 4357 (HELP) 

mentalhealth.org.nz/help - If you need help now. Visit mentalhealth.org.nz/help for contacts for emergency assistance.

0800 787 254 Rural Support Trust

0800 726 666 Samaritans For 24/7 support for anyone who is lonely or in distress

0800 REFUGE or  0800 733 843 Women’s Refuge 24 Hour crises line Call:

If you need health advice about your baby or child, phone
Healthline: 0800 611 116

Plunket Line 0800 933 922

Meet your local ConnectHer

Sue Wilson

Wairoa / East Coast

Sue and her family live near Wairoa. Sue is heavily involved in her community and has played pivotal roles in coordinating relief following adverse events and working with affected families as her region leans into adapting to social, economic and environmental change.

Email: connecther.r5@ruralwomennz.nz

Tel: 0800 256 468 or 027 376 1768

Victoria Pemberton

Southland

Victoria grew up on a farm in Eastern Southland and now lives near Invercargill. Her experience covers the provision of women’s health services, research and equity projects.

Email: connecther.r1@ruralwomennz.nz

Tel: 0800 256 469 or 027 390 6155

ConnectHER is powered by Rural Women New Zealand and funded by the Ministry for Primary Industries.