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Our free wellness van is touring the country, offering free health checks for those in agricultural communities.  Often in rural areas, time is scarce, and doctors can be hard to access, so general checkups can be missed.  This can have devastating consequences for families.

The van is an initiative of the Carr Family Foundation, which runs a variety of programs focused on rural health and wellness, education, and community support, in partnership with our Platinum sponsor Carrfields.  Key dates and accessible locations have been selected, based on times of interest in the farming calendar.  A Registered Nurse will be stationed in the van, assessing blood sugar levels, oxygen levels, heart rate, cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and BMI.

These tests can indicate risk factors for underlying chronic health conditions.  All health information collected will remain confidential and a referral will be written to a GP for any issues of concern.  Since the van commenced touring in June 2022, 1427 people nationwide have had a checkup in the van to September 2025.  This resulted in 315 referrals being made, including urgent referrals.

Stacey McKerchar, Chair of the Carr Family Foundation, said, “We are committed to giving back to the agricultural communities we work in.  Our mobile wellness van gives us the opportunity to connect with rural people, in locations convenient to them.  These simple tests can highlight any issues you may not be aware of; before a serious health event occurs.”

No booking is necessary and the mobile health van will be visiting the locations below.

LocationDateTime
Central Feeds – Winchester5 August 20259am – 2pm
North Island: Otorohanga working mens club18-19/89am – 2pm
Waimate Shearing 11th – 12th October 20259am – 2pm
Mahi for Mental Health Ashburton17th October 20259am – 2pm
Ashburton A&P Show31st October – 1st November 20259am – 2pm
FAR Chertsey 26th November 20259am – 2pm
Southern Field Days (Waimumu)11th – 13th February 20269am – 2pm
Coast to Coast – Kumara Junction13th – 14th February 20269am – 2pm
East Coast Expo18th & 19th February9am – 2pm
Dairy Expo: Matamata18th & 19th February9am – 2pm
On Farm Fair (Northland)26th & 27th February 20269am – 2pm
Palmerston North: Rural Games13th – 15th March9am – 2pm
Central District Field Days19th – 21st March 20269am – 2pm
Maadi Cup – Twizel23rd – 29th March 20269am – 2pm
SIDE LincolnApril 20269am – 2pm
AgFest West Coast16th & 17th October 20269am – 2pm

Check out our video about the Health and Wellness Van below featuring Craig “Wiggy” Wiggins and Craig Carr, Group Managing Director of Carrfields.

Our Testimonials

Mike B

When I used the van, it was based at the trade fencing day that was being held at Mosgiel, as part of the Fencing Contractors Association NZ Conference. The night before, I had been for a walk up the hill behind the motel we were staying at. Partway up the steep Dunedin Street, I thought I was actually having a heart attack. I was reasonably fit but had recently had Covid and received a vaccine. The van did my blood pressure, which was the highest of the day. I cannot remember the numbers, but it was scary high. I was told I should get a full medical when I got back to the Manawatu. This resulted in being put on permanent blood pressure medication, with regular checks. A year or so later, I found out I had bilateral blood clots in my lungs, so I have had a bit of a journey to sort that out over the last year. If I hadn't had that short test at the Carr Foundation van, things might have been a whole lot worse. I believe these days, getting rural folk to have a simple test on a regular day out could end up saving lives.

Aaron G

I run a very diverse farm, and over the years I've had some mates affected with heart attacks and other stress-related health issues. You hear about high blood pressure being called a silent killer, and you sort of nod along, but you don't think much of it until it's someone you know. I was at an event and got invited to pop into the Health and Wellness Van for a check. Didn't think much of it, figured I'd be in and out in five minutes. Turns out my blood pressure was through the roof. Came as a real surprise, I felt fine. I'm on medication for it now and getting it checked regularly. If I'd had an aneurysm or stroke, I don't know how I'd have kept the farm running. It's not something you plan for. Glad I took the ten minutes to get checked.