58 | Little goodwill gestures goes a long way Dave Kruger unloads his truck at an equine call. Richard Loader In April 2020, Hawke’s Bay was in the middle of a drought as well as entering the beginning of Covid, and all the uncertainty it would bring to the world. Normally, Vet Services Hawke’s Bay would have provided the region’s farming community with a drought shout, getting all farmers together in the true Kiwi spirit to enjoy a few beers and sausies on the bbq grille, while chewing the fat and presenting some helpful information. Because of Covid, that kind of relief wasn’t possible. Not to be deterred; if farmers could not come to the shout, the team at Vet Services Hawke’s Bay could take the drought shout to the farmers, providing them with some beer, wine and a pack of sausages to enjoy on their own farms. “People were struggling,” says General Manager Brendan James. “It was dry and the farmers didn’t know what Covid meant and they didn’t want to come to town. So it was an interesting time. But that little goodwill gesture of doing something for the local farming community meant that they still felt in touch and valued. It went down really well and we got awesome feedback.” As simple as the gesture was, that is how relationships are forged, and in rural communities that make up the backbone of New Zealand, that farmer/vet relationship is a success factor essential for both parties. “For many of our farmer clients, we end up being part of their business as a trusted adviser. Through our services, we aim to add as much value as we can to achieve successful outcomes for the RURAL SERVICES » Vet Services Hawke’s Bay • to page 60
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