Rural Women New Zealand serves women of all ages who share an interest in rural life. We offer support and friendship for women with an interest in the land and rural issues.
Rural Women New Zealand is a leading voice for rural women and we make submissions on a wide range of topics affecting the rural sector.
In this website, you can find out about Rural Women New Zealand, our history and future and how you can join us. You'll also find current issues we're discussing, what we've been saying in media releases and submissions, and projects we are involved in.
Rural Women New Zealand is an organisation with an impressive history of making a difference in rural communities. We are constantly moving forward with new initiatives to suit women of all ages. Contact Us for more information.
Recent Activities:
RWNZ issues white paper on Rural Broadband - A Universal Service Proposal
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Rural Women New Zealand has challenged the Government to re-think its spending focus for the $300M Rural Broadband Initiative.
In a January 2010 white paper we are calling for 100% basic broadband coverage for rural as a first priority, before upgrading to high-speed broadband for some parts of the rural sector.
White Paper - "Rural Broadband - A Universal Service Proposal" |
RWNZ Enterprising Rural Woman Award Deadline for Entries 17 February 2010
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Entries are now open for the RWNZ Enterprising Rural Women Award 2010.
Following the huge success of the inaugural Award in 2009, we strongly encourage rural businesswomen to enter.
The Award is open to members and non-members.
RWNZ’s national president, Margaret Chapman, says “The award represents an outstanding opportunity for all entrants to showcase their businesses and gain recognition for their achievements.”
Entry Form
Information Sheet
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Support for Migrant Workers
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Rural Women New Zealand has been advocating for more help for migrants to integrate into rural communities, where they are a vital part of the workforce, particularly in the dairy industry.
Article in Rural News August 2009
Article in Ashburton Guardian by Kerry Maw Oct 09
Article CRT magazine by Jackie Edkins Dec 09
In addition Margaret O'Connor of Hook Branch and Courier Country reporter, Ruth Grundy from Oamaru, interviewed several migrant dairy workers around the Glenavy area, resulting in an excellent 10 page article in the Courier Country on 12 August 2009, and a range of practical help organised.
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Guild of Agricultural Journalists and Communicators -
Rural Women New Zealand Award 2009
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Congratulations to Aaron Smale (rt), editor of 'Young Country' who was the winner of the Rural Women New Zealand Journalism Award 2009. Runner up was veteran Dominion Post writer Jon Morgan. The Award was presented by Jackie Edkins, RWNZ's Communications Officer, at the Guild's annual dinner in Wellington on 16 October 2009.
Click here to RWNZ's Award presentation speech
Click here to view the NZGAJ press release 17 Oct 2009 |
Rural Broadband rollout too slow
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RWNZ telecommunications spokesperson Jacky Stafford told National Radio's Checkpoint programme that the Government's plans for a contestable fund to develop rural telecommunications may not draw more players into the rural market, as the Government intends, and that the planned six year rollout of fast broadband for rural should be speeded up. Read more
Click here to hear Checkpoint interview 29 September 2009.
Click here to read our latest column in Rural News 21 Oct 2009 |
Fran O'Sullivan on the 'Accidental Empire of Political Blogging'
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Fran O’Sullivan addressed several dozen people at breakfast this morning on the topic of the Accidental Empire of Political Blogging. Rural Women NZ's Wellington Network hosted the breakfast. Read More
Click here to see Fran O'Sullivan on You Tube |
Farmer Welfare Workshop Ruakura - Family the Success Factor in Farming
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How have family-based farms fared in the constant upheaval of change? A major cause of current farmer and family partnership stress is the constant uncertainty of income - but there are other stresses. RWNZ presented a paper on "Family - The Success Factor in Farming" at an AgResearch's Farmer Welfare Workshop in Ruakura on 16 September Read More.
Fact Sheet on Adverse Events and Stress. |
Rural Broadband - A Game of Catch Up
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Rural Women New Zealand welcomes news that the Government has heeded its calls for a much greater investment in rural broadband than the paltry $48 million announced in this year’s Budget - which was a fraction of the $1.5 billion earmarked for further upgrading urban broadband. But this is not the final word on rural communities’ broadband aspirations, which are effectively playing 'catch up' with their urban cousins. Read More |
Rural Bulletin Sponsor Partners
Rural Bulletin seeks sponsorship. This is an opportunity for you to have your messages read over 3,000,000 times over the course of a year. View more information on this marketing opportunity, or contact Rural Women New Zealand national office. To view past issues of Rural Bulletin click the Quick Link on this page.
Walking Access Consultation
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Rural Women New Zealand has been part of a stakeholders group considering the first draft of the New Zealand Walking Access Commission's National Strategy on Walking Access and Outdoor Access Code.
RWNZ wants to ensure private landowner rights will be protected when demand is made by public wishing to cross their private property to access and use unformed legal roads, especially by means other than walking. Read more
Opinion piece - RWNZ Article on Walking Access published in Rural News 18-08-2009
New! Press Release 2-10-09 National Strategy on Walking Access on Track |
School Bus Safety
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Rural Women New Zealand is campaigning to raise awareness of the 20kmh limit when passing a stationary school bus in either direction.
Between 1993 and 2002 twelve children were killed, 20 seriously injured and 77 received minor injuries as a result of school bus incidents.
What is Rural Women New Zealand doing to try and stop these accidents happening? Read more
RWNZ is also urging rural schools to apply for bus shelters through the Undercover Kids programme. TotalSpan runs this programme to supply and erect bus shelters free of charge, which helps keep kids safe and out of the elements when waiting for the bus. Call 0800 868 257 for more information.
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'Time to Talk?' - Community drought meetings
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Are people in your community still having to cope with the effects of drought, (even though it may have rained again now?) RWNZ can help. Read more
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Rural School Safety Days
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Rural children often live in an environment that is also a workplace with many potential dangers and hazards.
With funding assistance from ACC, Rural Women New Zealand has developed a Rural Schools Safety Days programme, which is run with relevant presenters at rural schools around the country.
The popular programme includes modules on ATVs, rural fire, civil defence, dog control, firearms, poisons, road safety, water safety.
For more information contact Noeline Holt at RWNZ's national office. Email: noeline.holt@ruralwomen.org.nz. |
RWNZ Enterprising Rural Woman Award 2009 winner
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Winners of the inaugural RWNZ Enterprising Rural Woman Award 2009: Tora Coastal Walk. Pictured here are (l to r) Kath Elworthy, Margaret Chapman (chief judge and RWNZ National President), Tony Arthur (BNZ), Jenny Bargh and Kiri Elworthy |
A boutique Wairarapa tourism venture has won the Rural Women New Zealand Enterprising Rural Woman Award 2009. Read more
Details of the 2010 Enterprising Rural Woman Award will be announced soon .... |
$107,500 for Leptospirosis research!
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Rural Women New Zealand presented a final cheque for $20,000 from its Leptospirosis fundraising campaign to researchers at Massey University's EpiCentre on 11 February 2009. This brought the total raised in the campaign to $107,500. The money will be used to fund a three year PhD for Swiss researcher Anou Dreyfus into this disease. Read more |
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