Sparking chats with rural New Zealand.
The Cut The Bull pillar exists to support the people who keep rural New Zealand moving: the farmers, growers, contractors, stock agents, families, workers, and communities often carrying more than anyone sees.
CLOSE TO OUR HEART AS FOUNDER JACK JENSEN IS BORN AND RAISED ON A SHEEP & BEEF FARM, CUT THE BULL IS Built around authentic conversations and genuine connection, SparkING That Chat directly into the heart of rural Aotearoa, from field days and bull sales to farming events and community gatherings, WE ARE creating spaces where people can GET OFF THE FARM AND speak honestly about mental health without judgement, pressure, or the usual “SHE’ll BE ALRIGHT” culture.
Because behind the work boots, early mornings, droughts, debt, weather stress, and isolation, WE SEE THOSE people DOING IT TOUGH, And sometimes, the strongest thing someone can do is SIMPLY SPARK THAT CHAT.
CUT THE BULL IN ACTION
A nationwide rural mental health storytelling and community connection campaign.
Throughout the MONTH OF JUNE, the Spark That Chat crew travels to major rural events and farming communities, interviewing everyday legends from across the sector about:
Mental health WELLBEING
Family life
Resilience
The highs and lows - the “pits and peaks” - of life in rural NZ
These conversations are filmed and turned into powerful short-form and long-form digital content shared across Spark That Chat platforms and partner networks.
Unscripted and Raw, just honest kōrero from good people willing to speak openly so others know they’re not alone.
2024’s CUT THE BULL CAMPAIGN
WHY IT MATTERS
Rural life can be bloody rewarding - but it can also be incredibly isolating.
Long hours. Financial pressure. Physical exhaustion. Weather events. Generational expectations. Distance from support. A culture where vulnerability hasn’t always felt welcome.
The reality is, many people in rural communities are struggling IN SILENCE.
By creating relaxed, relatable conversations in familiar environments, we help normalise talking about THE TOUGH TOPICS in the rural sector and encourage people to check in with themselves AND EACH OTHER, AND ADOPT MENTAL HEALTH WELLBEING PRACTICES LONG before things hit crisis point.
We often say: “Two hills before the cliff.”
Because suicide prevention starts with connection, conversation, and community - early.
PARTNERING WITH US FOR
CUT THE BULL
Cut The Bull offers businesses and organisations the opportunity to support meaningful change in rural mental health while connecting authentically with farming communities across Aotearoa.
Partners become part of a movement that:
Supports real conversations
Promotes wellbeing in rural NZ
Encourages early intervention and connection
Creates impactful nationwide digital storytelling
Reaches highly engaged rural audiences online and in person
From field days to social media campaigns, supporting Cut The Bull means standing alongside the people who feed, build, and power this country.
And helping make sure they know someone’s got their back too.
