Manawatu Rural Support Service- MRSS

Starting at high school can be daunting, especially for kids who won’t know many people and who aren't used to daily life in a big school! Students from rural primary schools in Manawatu District who are starting year 9 in 2026 are invited to Online for Nine - a fun day to meet up with mates, make new friends, and learn a bunch of stuff in a relaxed environment to get prepared for high school – whichever one you’re going to.

There will be activities with a team of experienced youth leaders, a Year 9 Dean will give you lots of practical tips about your first days and weeks at high school, and you can chat with your new friends over a barbecue lunch.

Registration is essential and there is no cost! Please fill in your details here no later than Tuesday 20 January: https://forms.gle/2MfVmffpuPmZJuBG7

You haven't seen the last of us yet! While the Incorporated Society that was MRSS has wound up, our services continue under the stewardship of Rural Bus Manawatu. More information coming soon!

New life for Manawatū rural support service Aly Thompson says the free service can operate for up to nine months using cash reserves but needs secure funding for the long term.

As of 30th June 2025 Manawatu Rural Support Service incorporated has finished.
Rural Bus Manawatu has agreed to continue the services that were offered, as an interim measure.
Please refer to Rural Bus Manawatu if you need more information.

https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360599668/funding-cut-manawatu-rural-support-service

Funding cut for rural support service The organisation will make a call at the end of the month about whether it will continue.

Online for Nine is being held at the Kiwitea Hall tomorrow from 9am to 3pm.

You can register via the QR code or link below.

https://nsmanawatu.infoodle.com/form_process?g=a0c95917-60ce-47c3-b898-13e687f098b1

Not long now, hope everyone’s getting their stuff together to sell and obviously buy a few amazing items.😉

Thank you to Mercury for their generous donation to our service as part of their Manawatu Community Fund. This donation will help our service continue to support the rural community.