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:
Canterbury Earthquakes
The recent earthquakes in Canterbury have shocked us all. With the support from MAF, Rural Women New Zealand has funds available for "Neighbourhood Gatherings" and other events where friends, neighbours and families can come together for support and comfort.
Attached is a message from National President, Liz Evans, Click here to read more. There will be further updates as they come to hand.
Marketing to the Rural Sector Conference 18 August 2010
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RWNZ National President Liz Evans was on the Farmers Panel, along with Federated Farmers and Young Farmers, at the 10th annual Marketing to the Rural Sector Conference held in Auckland on 18 August. To equip Liz with 'grassroots' feedback we surveyed our members about the effects of the current economic climate on farming, people's current expenditure priorities, and how farmers made purchasing decisions. Read more in the links below.
Click here to view Liz's presentation
Click here to view RWNZ members' responses to our marketing survey |
Rural Women New Zealand Journalism Award
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Rural Women New Zealand invites rural journalists and broadcasters to enter the Rural Women New Zealand Journalism Award 2010. Entries close 13 September. Prize money $500. The award will be presented at the NZ Guild of Agricultural Journalists awards dinner in Wellington on 15 October. Click here for an entry form.
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Beef+Lamb cooking demonstrations
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Cooking demonstrations by our country’s top chefs are an excellent way of showing people how to create exciting and adventurous meals using the succulent beef and lamb our country is famous for producing.
The 2010 Beef+Lamb NZ cooking school series with Rural Women New Zealand kicked off last month. Platinum chef Rex Morgan of Boulcott Street Bistro entertained and enlightened members at the Pauatahanui Women in Farming event, one of nine to be held around the country.
Catch up with how it went on this video clip.
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NZ Federation of Disability Information Centres Conference Presentation
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Past President, Ellen Ramsay QSM, ran a series of workshops on behalf of Rural Women New Zealand at the New Zealand Federation of Disability Information Centres Conference in Queenstown from 17-18 May 2010, giving a rural perspective on the issue of access to disability services and information. More |
'Let's Get Plastered for Breast Cancer '
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Rural Women New Zealand launched its 'Let's Get Plastered for Breast Cancer' campaign at its national conference in Oamaru recently. We'll be plastering ourselves, and holding exhibitions all around the country during October to raise awareness of the importance of breast self-examination.
'Breast screening is still the best tool we have for diagnosis. However for those outside of the 45-69 age range self awareness is crucial' - Mrs Ros Pochin, General and Breast Surgeon Nelson Hospital.
Plastering kits cost $10 from RWNZ with profits to the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation. More |
Emissions Trading Scheme - Call to Halt
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Rural Women New Zealand members have called on the Government to delay implementation of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).
At its national conference held in Oamaru recently, delegates voted to urge the Government to more clearly assess the effects on New Zealand agriculture and rural communities before proceeding with the ETS. More |
'A Good Spread' - New Rural Women New Zealand Cookbook
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Scrumptious family favourite recipes abound in our new cookbook, based on the Women's Division Federated Farmers blue cookbook, a 'bible' that sold over 100,000 copies.
This book has been revised and updated with new recipes contributed by Rural Women New Zealand members and contains delightful rural photos. Full colour. A great cookbook for young or old, town or country.
Published by Random House, 'A Good Spread' is available from Rural Women New Zealand for $29.95 plus postage and packaging. Email enquiries@ruralwomen.org.nz.
More |
RWNZ Enterprising Rural Women Award 2010
Tineke Verkade
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Congratulations to the winners of the Rural Women New Zealand Enterprising Rural Women Award 2010.
Supreme Winner - Tineke Verkade of Homeopathic Farm Support Limited. Tineke was also the North Island winner, sponsored by Access.
Runner Up - Tracey Robinson of Cosy Toes Limited. Tracey was also the South Island winner, sponsored by Ballance. More
Click here to view an interview with Tineke Verkade on Country 99 TV with Wilson Owen. |
RWNZ White Paper on Rural Broadband - A Universal Service Proposal
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Rural Women New Zealand is advocating for fair access to broadband for all New Zealanders. Our White Paper calls 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" |
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.
RWNZ groups have been asked to organise community get togethers to welcome new migrants into their communities during July.
Article in Rural News August 2009
Article in Ashburton Guardian by Kerry Maw Oct 09
Article CRT magazine by Jackie Edkins Dec 09
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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. |
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. |
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. |
$107,500 for Leptospirosis Research!
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Rural Women New Zealand fundraised over $107,000 for Leptospirosis research. The money was presented to Massey University's EpiCentre for research into this disease, which is New Zealand's most prevalent occupationally acquired disease, that affects mainly rural workers.
Read more
August 2010 update from Massey University on its Leptospirosis research, publications and presentations funded through RWNZ - to view click here |
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