Whatever the Weather
Preparing for uncertainty. Supporting recovery. Strengthening resilience.

Farming in Northland means living with what the weather brings - drought, El Niño swings, and the pressure that comes with them. Whatever the Weather brings together Chris Brandolino - a seasoned meteorologist and Mark Ford - a stroke-survivor-turned-ultrarunner - for a dinner event that's part practical forecast, part real talk on recovery and resilience.

Hosted by Rural Support Trust Te Tai Tokerau and Beef + Lamb New Zealand, this is a chance to hear from people who understand both the science of what's coming and the human side of getting through it - plus a good lunch and time to connect with other farmers in your community.

What to expect

5:30pm - Doors open
6:00pm - Chris Brandolino: seasonal weather outlook, including what El Niño means for Northland this season
6:45pm - Buffet dinner
7:15pm - Mark Ford (Rewired Runner): stroke recovery, resilience, and choosing your next step
8:00pm - Dessert
9pm - Event ends

Your speakers

Chris Brandolino brings his seasonal outlook expertise to help you plan ahead for what the coming months may hold - drought risk, rainfall patterns, and practical preparedness for Northland farms.

Mark Ford's journey from stroke survivor to ultra-endurance runner isn't a story about running - it's a grounded, honest look at what it takes to rebuild after life changes suddenly. Featured on Seven Sharp, his message is simple: you can't control every condition, but you can always control your next step.

Why attend

Get ahead of the season with expert weather insight relevant to Dargaville farms
Hear a genuinely moving, practical story about resilience and recovery
Connect with fellow farmers and the wider rural support community
Enjoy a locally-catered lunch as part of the ticket price

Event details

When: Tuesday 29 September

Where: Kaipara Flats Sports Club

Tickets: $20 per person

Includes dinner, dessert, and both presentations with Q&A

Contact the host of Whatever the Weather - Kaipara Flats