One of NZ’s best horsemen, and a stuntman with 20 years in the film industry. Rory needs help after a riding accident.

On May 4th, our dear friend Rory McTavish was out doing what he has done thousands of times: riding his clients' horses at Waikuku Beach. And, as often happens young horses get spooked and react. No big deal, all in a day's work. But this incident turned out differently and Rory fell awkwardly landing on his head and neck, sustaining severe damage to his spinal cord and surrounding nerves causing paralysis, unable to move for several hours until a passerby noticed him and sought help.

Rory needed urgent surgery to decompress a highly bruised and inflamed spinal column. The good news was that there were no spinal fractures, but the road to recovery will be long.

Rory has over 20 film credits such as: Young Hercules, Prince Caspian, Underworld, Legend of the Seeker, Mortal Engines, The Hobbit where he even got mentioned on IMDB for outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture.

We all know how tough and resilient our Rory can be, and we know that he will persevere with that dogged determination that runs in his veins. But we also know he will need help. As much as it’s probably uncomfortable for him to ask for this help, we, as his friends know we need the wider community to rally around him.

Going forward, in the months and years ahead, there will be various expenses and financial stress for Rory and his family.

So we ask you, his community of horse people, stunties, friends and family far and wide, please support Rory’s journey back to health. We need the village.

ACC financial support may be available (if approved), but this won't cover everything.