Rural Women New Zealand Home Page

Strengthening rural communities

Policies and interest areas

Rural Women New Zealand takes a keen interest in issues that affect the rural community. Our focus is based on four main areas:

Land use issues - agriculture, alternative rural enterprises, energy, environment and conservation, genetic modification, forestry, telecommunications, transport and roading and local government. Read more: Our Land Use Policy

Education issues - School transport, technology, Rural Education Reference Group, primary and secondary schooling, The Correspondence School, early childhood, tertiary, special education. Read more: Our Education Policy

Health issues - rural health services, adult health, agricultural health and safety, public health, mental health, genetic modification, older persons, disability, children's health. Read more: Our Health Policy

Rural Health Survey

Rural Women New Zealand conducted an extensive survey of rural families in 2001, investigating levels of access to primary health services . The survey indicated that the difficulties associated with accessing health care in rural communities were far worse and more widespread than previously thought.

Social issues - access to services, women and the law, income support, social welfare, family and the law, violence and abuse, consumer rights and standards, privacy and human rights. Our Social Issues Policy is currently under review.

Consultation with members:

We consult our members and have made submissions or statements on a wide range of topics including:

- rural representation

- terminator gene technology

- land access

- dog chipping

- paid parental leave

- the safe use of ATVs

- depression

- pandemic preparedness

- home healthcare

- drinking water