Dignity in life and death
Rural Guardian Charitable Trust (RGT) was founded to deliver world-class equine end-of-life care, research, and teaching in New Zealand.
Values & culture
Guided by
dignity and care
Our mission is to ensure dignity in life and death for every equine companion, providing compassionate care through purpose-built facilities and best practice standards.
To provide a sustainable, trusted service for the equine industry, reinvesting all surplus into welfare, teaching, and research.
We are guided by compassion, integrity, responsibility, and partnership, ensuring every decision supports horses, their owners, and the wider equine community.
Who we are
A registered charity for equine welfare
Rural Guardian Charitable Trust (RGT) is a registered charity, generously supported by leaders in New Zealand’s equine industry, established to provide global best practice in end-of-life dignity for horses while fostering research and teaching. Guided by our mission - “Dignity in life and death for our equine companions”, we aim to remain operationally self-funding, with all surplus funds reinvested into welfare, education, and industry research.
Our centrally located North Island facility in the Upper Waikato is within 1–2 hours of Auckland, Cambridge, Matamata, and Taupo. Purpose-built to the highest standards, it houses a UK-imported Addfield cremator capable of handling up to two horses per cycle, with consent to expand as demand grows. The site also features a purpose-built gantry crane system for safe unloading, weighing, and preparation.
Beyond cremation, RGT supports wider industry needs, including MPI requirements for safe animal disposal and disease risk management. The facility is also equipped for autopsy and post-mortem examinations by qualified veterinary pathologists, with provision for insurance certification and collaboration with Massey University’s equine veterinary team.
Trustees & supporters
Meet our trustees
Our trustees bring deep equine knowledge, industry leadership, and personal commitment to ensuring dignity, welfare, and research for horses across New Zealand.
Stuart Walker
Chair & Trustee
Project managed RGT’s establishment, bringing leadership and hands-on equine experience.
Stuart Walker
Chair & Trustee
Professor Chris Rogers
Trustee
Massey University professor, ensuring RGT supports equine research, welfare, and teaching.
Professor Chris Rogers
Trustee
Catlyn Calder
Trust Secretary
NZTR Head of Thoroughbred Welfare, championing lifelong care and practical equine outcomes.
Catlyn Calder
Trust Secretary
Nga Muka Trust
Thanks to the Nga Muka Development Trust, representing a North Waikato marae cluster, for their support, guided by our shared values of kaitiaki and equine dignity.
Nga Muka Trust
Ivan Bridge
Trustee
Respected equine veterinarian and major funder, driving RGT’s creation and welfare focus.
Ivan Bridge
Trustee
Alex Kelly
Trustee
Senior industry figure who has extensive breeding and racing ties across New Zealand and Australia.
Alex Kelly
Trustee
Margot McCutcheon
Trust Secretary
Trust secretary from the start, guiding consents and contributing equine expertise.
Margot McCutcheon
Trust Secretary
Andrew Fisher
Trustee
Business leader and horseman, providing seed funding and strong industry commitment.
Andrew Fisher
Trustee
Justine Sclater
Trustee
Lifelong NZ thoroughbred breeder, industry leader, and dedicated advocate for equine welfare.
Justine Sclater
Trustee
Simon Saxton
Land Owner
Landowner whose Rangiriri property and support has made this facility possible.
Simon Saxton
Land Owner
Facility & operations
Built for equine care
Our Rangiriri facility delivers safe, modern, and research-driven equine care.
Cremation services
Addfield unit, 2 horses per cycle.
Safe handling
Gantry crane + unloading facilities.
Research support
Post-mortem & Massey University partnerships.
Clean emissions
800°C secondary chamber, real-time monitoring.
