The Pharmacy Guild says that the Government’s voluntary bonding scheme has failed to include pharmacists in its recent widening - even though the sector struggles to retain staff in rural areas.
As it currently stands, the scheme encourages newly-qualified doctors, nurses, and midwives to start their careers in hard-to-staff communities and specialties by offering payments to student loans after a three to five year bonded period.
The Guild would like the Government to expand the scheme to include pharmacists. Community pharmacy has had difficulty attracting and retaining professional staff in rural areas for some time. The Guild believes inclusion of pharmacists and interns in the voluntary
bonding scheme would help lessen staff shortages in rural pharmacy and therefore improve access to health care for rural populations.
The Pharmacy Guild says that the Government’s voluntary bonding scheme has failed to include pharmacists in its recent widening - even though the sector struggles to retain staff in rural areas. Read More
ANZ New Zealand, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with dairy industry organisation Dairy NZ to work together to boost the financial performance of dairy farms. The memorandum – which runs for five years - is the first between a bank and Dairy
NZ.
The MoU will enable ANZ economists and Agri Managers to use information from Dairy NZ’s business performance analysis tool, Dairy Base. Dairy Base brings together the financial results from over 1800 farmers, and provides a basis for someone to compare their
farm against other similar farms. ANZ will have access to the same data farmers and farm accountants use to analyse and compare farm performance, and will use these to work with its dairy farming clients.
ANZ New Zealand, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with dairy industry organisation Dairy NZ to work together to boost the financial performance of dairy farms. The memorandum – which runs for five years - is the first between a bank and Dairy
NZ. Read More
Following the introduction of the Ultra Fast Broadband (UFB) and Rural Broadband initiatives, the Commerce Commission looked at what factors may affect uptake of high speed broadband services by consumers and businesses.
The needs of rural users were highlighted in the report. The report says rural users have the same appetite for fast broadband as urban users, but have a more fundamental need, which is to be connected to basic broadband. They are concerned that they could be left behind as NZ moves forward with high speed broadband services.
The study also identified two main areas as being important to consumers from all sectors – costs relating to connecting and using high speed broadband, and the availability of video-on-demand services:
the expense of connecting to the UFB network and using high speed broadband services is critical for many people, and the current high costs are likely to slow down the uptake for both consumers and SMEs (small- and medium-sized enterprises); and
video content is likely to be what mostly drives consumers’ uptake of high speed broadband services over the next few years, and UFB uptake is likely to be higher if there is a good range of video-on-demand options available to consumers (currently, however, there are limited online video on demand services in NZ compared with many other countries).
Following the introduction of the Ultra Fast Broadband (UFB) and Rural Broadband initiatives, the Commerce Commission looked at what factors may affect uptake of high speed broadband services by consumers and businesses. Read More
Next year’s referendum gives you the chance to have your say on the voting system you'd like to use to elect our Parliaments in the future.
You will be asked two questions:
whether you want to keep MMP (which is the voting system we use at the moment) or whether you want to change to another voting system; and
which of four other voting systems you would choose if NZ decides to change from MMP.
All these system have 120 Members of Parliament - but the number of electorates in each system can differ. Read on…
MMP – Mixed Member Proportional: In this (NZ’s current system) there 70 electorates, (both Maori and General). Each electorate elects one MP, called an Electorate MP. The other 50 MPs are elected from political party lists and are called List MPs.
Each voter gets two votes. The first vote (the party vote) is for the political party the voter chooses and largely decides the total number of seats each political party gets in Parliament. The second vote (the electorate vote) is to choose the MP the voter wants to represent the electorate they live in. The candidate who gets the most votes wins. They do not have to get more than half the votes.
Currently, a political party that wins at least one electorate seat or 5% of the party vote gets a share of the seats in Parliament that is about the same as its share of the party vote (if a party gets 30% of the party vote it will get roughly 36 MPs in Parliament, and if it wins 20 electorate seats it will have 16 List MPs as well as its 20 Electorate MPs).
Coalitions or agreements between political parties are usually needed before Governments can be formed.
FPP - First Past the Post: in this there are 120 electorates, including the Maori electorates, and each elects one MP.
Each voter has one vote to choose the MP they want to represent the electorate they live in. The candidate who gets the most votes wins. They do not have to get more than half the votes.
The winning party usually wins a share of the seats in Parliament larger than its share of all the votes across the country. Smaller parties usually receive a smaller share of seats than their share of all the votes.
A government can usually be formed without the need for coalitions or agreements between parties.
PV - Preferential Voting: there are120 electorates, including the Maori electorates, elects one MP.
Each voter ranks the candidates – 1, 2, 3, etc – in the order they prefer them. A candidate who gets more than half of all the first preference “1” votes wins. If no candidate gets more than half the first preference votes, the candidate with the fewest “1” votes is eliminated and their votes go to the candidates each voter ranked next. This continues until one candidate has more than half the votes.
The winning party usually wins a share of the seats in Parliament larger than its share of all the votes across the country. It is hard for smaller parties to win seats in Parliament, but votes for smaller party candidates may influence who wins the seat because of second, third, etc preferences.
A government can usually be formed without the need for coalitions or agreements between parties.
STV - Single Transferable Vote: in this system each electorate (including the Maori electorates) has more than one MP. It is likely the 120 MPs would be divided between 24 and 30 electorates, each with 3 to 7 MPs.
Each voter has a single vote that is transferable. Voters rank the candidates (1, 2, 3, etc) in the order they prefer, OR they can vote for the order published in advance by the political party of their choice.
MPs are elected by receiving a minimum number of votes, known as the quota. This is based on the number of votes in each electorate and the number of MPs to be elected. Candidates who reach the quota from first preference votes are elected. If there are still electorate seats to fill, firstly the votes the elected candidates received beyond the quota are transferred to the candidates ranked next on those votes. Candidates who then reach the quota are elected. Then, if there are still electorate seats to fill, the lowest polling candidate is eliminated and their votes are transferred to the candidates ranked next on those votes. These steps are repeated until all the seats are filled.
The number of MPs elected from each political party usually mirrors the party’s share of all the votes across the country.
Coalitions or agreements between political parties are usually needed before governments can be formed.
SM - Supplementary Member: there are 90 electorates in this one (including the Maori electorates). Each elects one MP, called an Electorate MP. The other 30 seats are called supplementary seats. MPs are elected to these seats from political party lists and are likely to be called List MPs.
Each voter gets two votes. The first vote is to choose the MP the voter wants to represent the electorate they live in. This is called the electorate vote. The candidate who gets the most votes wins. They do not have to get more than half the votes. The second vote is for the political party the voter chooses. This is called the party vote. The share of the 30 supplementary seats each party gets reflects its share of the party vote (if a party gets 30% of the party vote, it will get about 9 List MPs in Parliament, no matter how many electorate seats it wins). This makes SM different from MMP where a party’s share of all 120 seats mirrors its share of the party vote.
One or other of the major parties would usually have enough seats to govern alone, but coalitions or agreements between parties may sometimes be needed.
Next year’s referendum gives you the chance to have your say on the voting system you'd like to use to elect our Parliaments in the future. Read More
Rural Women NZ would like to congratulate Vodafone on their latest move.
Vodafone are inviting small rural communities, in the 2% of New Zealand not covered by Vodafone’s network and outside the scope of the Rural Broadband Initiative, to apply for improved mobile coverage in their local area.
During the last 6 months Vodafone have been approached by several communities throughout New Zealand who currently have limited or no access to the mobile network, and who fall outside the Rural Broadband Initiative. These communities are keen to improve their communications access, and have requested cellsites to be built in their area.
What are the application criteria?
Communities with no existing mobile coverage who wish to benefit from this scheme must be able to demonstrate as many of the following criteria as possible to qualify for consideration:
Proximity to existing mains power supply
Letter of support from local MP(s)
Supporting petition of signed residents who desire the service and their assistance to obtain RMA consent
The location must be able to provide line of site options for microwave linking (Vodafone will need to determine this)
A willing landowner
Community willing to provide track maintenance
4WD vehicle access
Support of local iwi including contact person name and number
Support of local Council or Community Board member/s
Description of the positive impact the site will bring to the community
When and how does Vodafone make these decisions?
Vodafone will ask for applications between 15th October and 15th December, a selection will be made by 15th January 2012 and the resulting cell sites will be built within the following 12 months.
Decisions will be based on the community’s ability to meet the required criteria and the positive impact the site will have on the local community, as assessed by Vodafone’s community cellsite project team.
Contact Vodafone
If you have any additional queries you can contact Vodafone by email to community.relations.nz@vodafone.com or by phone on 0800 101710.
Rural Women NZ would like to congratulate Vodafone on their latest move.
Vodafone are inviting small rural communities, in the 2% of New Zealand not covered by Vodafone’s network and outside the scope of the Rural Broadband Initiative, to apply for improved mobile coverage in their local area. Read More
Each year we run a series of cooking demos with Beef+Lamb NZ Ambassador Chefs sharing their hot tips and latest recipes. This year so far we’ve run events in Thames, Wharepapa South, Taranaki, Hamilton and Marlborough.
Pam Thomlinson our Top of the South National Councillor says “Our Beef + Lamb demonstration was hosted by the Awatere branch at Ngaire Lawson’s beautiful new home. The chef was Grant Dicker from the restaurant Mint in Nelson. He prepared garlic seared lamb backstrap with beetroot carpaccio, pickled walnuts and rocket. Poached and grilled sirloin of Angus beef with squash, fondant potato and peppercorn foam, ginger parkin with muscovado sauce and five spice icecream. It was wonderful to learn how to let the taste of the food shine through without being overpowered by too many flavours. A lovely lunch that was enhanced with local wines and coffee and sweet nibbles.”
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST FOR 2012
While we haven’t yet had confirmation from Beef + Lamb that they will provide Ambassador Chefs for the cooking demonstrations, we are seeking expressions of interest for 2012 so that we can advise them ahead of time the areas where you would like to hold the demonstrations. To express your groups interest, download the form below and send it to Emma Humphrey by email to emma.humphrey@ruralwomen.org.nz or by post to Rural Women NZ national office, PO Box 12-021, Thorndon, Wellinton 6144. 2012 Beef + Lamb Expression of Interest Form
Each year we run a series of cooking demos with Beef+Lamb NZ Ambassador Chefs sharing their hot tips and latest recipes. This year so far we’ve run events in Thames, Wharepapa South, Taranaki, Hamilton and Marlborough. Read More
• a review of the Family Court;
• proposed changes to community law centres;
• a new system for managing NZ's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ);
• changing ACC’s compensation/allowance guidelines;
• a draft plan for Auckland and
• a number of issues around taxation.
NIWA has released their latest forecast of seasonal climate conditions for Spring. Read More
The latest issue of Bulletin Aotearoa is out now. Visit the publications page of our website to download a copy today!
Bulletin Aotearoa is a free monthly news digest produced by Rural Women New Zealand.
Our aim in producing this bulletin is to help build community capacity by circulating timely and relevant information, so people in rural and other communities are able to have their say on issues and changes that may affect them. In turn, this enables communities to better address issues and react to opportunities.
Our grateful thanks go to our sponsors who so generously support us to do this.
The latest issue of Bulletin Aotearoa is out now. Visit the publications page of our website to download a copy today!
Bulletin Aotearoa is a free monthly news digest produced by Rural Women New Zealand.
Our aim in producing this bulletin is to help build community capacity by circulating timely and relevant information, so people in rural and other communities are able to have their say on issues and changes that may affect them. In turn, this enables communities to better address issues and react to opportunities.
Our grateful thanks go to our sponsors who so generously support us to do this.
New Zealand has a thing or two to learn from Australia when it comes to getting women on boards.
In May, the Minister of Women’s Affairs, Hon Hekia Parata, met some of Australia’s top business leaders to understand how dramatic changes in Australian business culture are driving a surge in the number of women on company boards.
Under Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) rules introduced last year, companies are required to set measurable targets for the advancement of women into senior management and board roles. Business across the Tasman is responding positively because they see advantages for themselves in having more women in leadership.
“These changes are largely driven by male business leaders, who are building gender equality into the strategies of their companies,” says Pamela Cohen, Director of the Nominations Service at the Ministry of Women’s Affairs.
The targets set are often ambitious, with senior managers being offered incentives to achieve them. For example, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia has a target of 35 percent women in senior management roles by 2014 – and to achieve this, 65 percent of appointments over the next three years will need to be women.
According to Ms Cohen, the key to faster change in Australia is that the business leaders themselves see the advantages – including better productivity and improved business performance – and are pushing the change. There’s a champions group of 12 business leaders – including the CEOs of Qantas, Telstra, IBM and New Zealander Sir Ralph Norris, CEO of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
“There is also an effective mentoring programme, which involves 56 of the top chairs in Australia.”
The NZ Ministry of Women's Affairs is investigating ways of getting greater business involvement in increasing women's leadership here.
“Helping to establish a champions group is certainly one of the options, because what Australia tells us is that change really takes off when it is business leaders themselves that take the lead.”
New Zealand women can also promote change as individuals and collectively. They can use their positions as shareholders and employees to ask why the companies with which they are associated are not making full use of women’s skills, and they can join and support organisations that are working for change.
Rural Women New Zealand is delighted to announce the winners of the RWNZ Enterprising Rural Women Award 2013, following an award ceremony at the opening of the Rural Women NZ national conference in Christchurch yesterday evening.
Liz Evans says “These awards, now in their fifth year, offer an opportunity for rural businesswomen to shine. Our aim is to showcase and celebrate rural enterprise, and this year the judges had 20 strong entries to choose from.”
The Supreme Winner of the RWNZ Enterprising Rural Women Award 2013 is Diane Coleman of Treeline Native Nursery, based at Ngongotaha, near Rotorua. Diane also won the Love of the Land category, sponsored by Agrisea Limited. (www.treelinenursery.co.nz).
Treeline Native Nursery, which Diane started 17 years ago, grows and supplies NZ native trees, shrubs and grasses for revegetation and ornamental purposes, growing 300,000 plants a year that are sold to councils, farmers, landscapers, developers and the home gardener.
Rural Women NZ national president, Liz Evans, said Diane Coleman was chosen as the Supreme Winner out of a strong field of contenders, saying she displayed “skill, calm confidence in the progress of her business and a clear awareness of her market.”
“When demand for products slowed with the 2010 economic downturn, Diane adapted to conditions, made some innovative decisions and was able to maintain production levels.
“Added to this, the business is rural-based, employs several rural women and gives back to the community with fund-raising support.”
Other winners on the night were Jan Harper, of Bluespur Butchery in Lawrence, who won the Telecom-sponsored Help! I Need Somebody category.
As one of New Zealand’s first female butchers, Jan, who’s been in the industry since 1977, said it was a ‘dream come true’ when she opened her own business, Bluespur Butchery, in 2009. As well as selling meat to the public, a big part of the business is processing for farmers and hunters.
A very successful exporter of animal by-products from Waipukurau took away the Making it in Rural category, sponsored by Fly Buys Ltd. Angela Payne runs Agri-lab Co-Products Ltd (www.agri-lab.com). Utilising animal parts that previously may have ended up in the offal-pit, the company specialises in placenta, glands, membranes, tendons and glandulars, with 90 percent of the product exported. This is shipped all over the world as raw products for the pharmaceutical and dietary supplements markets.
Kylie Stewart of Rangitikei Farmstay was announced as the winner of the Stay, Play, Rural Award, sponsored by Access Homehealth Ltd. Her 1500 acre farm has been in the family since 1901 and Kylie has breathed new life into many of the old buildings to create attractive accommodation for up to 19 guests at a time who come from all over the world to get a taste of New Zealand rural life with farm tours, horse treks, clay bird shooting and shearing and mustering demonstrations on offer. (www.rangitikeifarmstay.co.nz).
The judging panel also decided this year to give a special Rural Women NZ Encourgement Award. This went to Lee Lamb, a young farming woman who lives in Waikaia, Southland.
As her children grew, and unable to find New Zealand farm-themed books to read to them, Lee decided to write and illustrate her own. A self-taught writer and painter, Lee was also determined to have her books printed in New Zealand. She now has four titles: On the Farm Shearing, On the Farm Autumn Muster, On the Farm Milking Time and On the Farm Harvest.
In congratulating all the winners, Liz Evans said, “Running a successful business anywhere in today’s competitive economy is not easy. It takes time, commitment, money and a passion to succeed. And, of course, you have to have the initial idea to get started.
“And, in the rural context, the start-up and ability to keep going can produce even more challenges. The logisitics of running a business away from a centralised urban area can throw up hurdles such as access to prompt transport and communication – not to mention extra costs of freight and postage. All our winners have jumped those hurdles.”
Watch: Diane speak about being the Supreme Winner. Video produced by
Rural Women New Zealand is delighted to announce the winners of the RWNZ Enterprising Rural Women Award 2013, following an award ceremony at the opening of the Rural Women NZ national conference in Christchurch yesterday evening. Read More
Applications close 1 July for Rural Women NZ & Access Homehealth scholarship
Health professionals with an interest in the rural sector have just three weeks to apply for this year’s the Rural Women NZ & Access Homehealth scholarship, with a closing date of 1 July.
“This $3000 scholarship will be awarded to a health professional to help further his or her studies,” says Rural Women New Zealand National President, Liz Evans.
“Given our rural focus, we are particularly keen to support someone who has an interest in providing health or disability services in rural communities.”
Preference will be given to applicants who are studying at post-graduate level.
Last year the scholarship went to a rural practice nurse, Lynette Downie (pictured above) from Murupara, for post graduate study in Women’s Health through Otago University.
Applications close 1 July for Rural Women NZ & Access Homehealth scholarship Read More
Rural Women NZ members are being encouraged to stand for local government and District Health Boards in the local body elections being held in September.
We ran a workshop on this at our national conference in Christchurch in May, with presenters Geoff Evans, who is a Marlborough District Councillor, and John Ayling, the chair of Access Homehealth Ltd.
Nominations for the elections open in July and run for a month (exact dates dependent on legislation currently before Parliament -for details call 0800 922 822).
One of those who is going to put her hand up is Dr Olive Webb (pictured left).
A long standing member of Rural Women New Zealand, Dr Webb (ONZM) is contesting the mayoralty of Selwyn.
Dr Webb comes from farming stock. She grew up in the King Country and Waikato and has lived in Selwyn for 40 years. Dr Webb has had thirteen years on the Canterbury District Health Board, coupled with six years on the board of Rural Women NZ’s Access Homehealth Ltd.
Key issues for Dr Webb include community engagement, fiscal responsibility, water quality, and enhancing the smaller towns of the Selwyn district.
Dr Webb is a registered clinical psychologist and director of the Institute of Applied Human Services where she consults and coaches various organisations in New Zealand, Australia and the United States. She specialises in developing strategies and interventions that enable people with disabilities and people who are vulnerable to live ordinary lives. She has a proven track record in business success and is no stranger to implementing change in a large scale organisations.
Rural Women NZ members are being encouraged to stand for local government and District Health Boards in the local body elections being held in September. Read More
Rural Women New Zealand has cause to celebrate ‘Back to School’ this year as two rural safety initiatives it’s been promoting get the green light.
We have been advocating for safer speeds around rural schools for several years, and are thrilled that variable speed limits are to be extended to 23 rural schools, following the success of a trial at seven rural schools in 2012, says Rural Women New Zealand national president, Liz Evans.
“We’re also delighted that a trial of active, flashing, 20km/h signage is to go ahead on a fleet of school buses in Ashburton early this year, with funding approved just before Christmas.
“Our rural children are often placed in very vulnerable situations getting to and from school, and we welcome both these initiatives to raise driver awareness and slow down traffic,” says Mrs Evans. “We will be actively promoting both these to our nationwide network of members.”
In the first trial, the NZ Transport Agency says the variable speed limits have resulted in an improvement in driver behaviour and reduction in speeds around the rural schools that took part, and the trial will be extended to 23 sites by the end of 2013.
The variable speed limit is set at 70km/h past schools in 100km/h zones, and 60km/h for schools in 80km/h areas.
The speeds are displayed on electronic signs, which allow the speed limit to be changed locally at agreed times.
Mrs Evans says it’s encouraging to see innovative technological solutions being used to solve safety concerns.
“Technology is also the answer when it comes to reminding drivers about the 20km/h speed limit past school buses, and it’s exciting that the Road Safety Trust has approved funding for a trial of active signage on school buses.”
The four stage trial with a bus company in Ashburton is expected to get underway in the next few weeks.
Bright 20km/h signs with flashing lights will be illuminated to alert drivers to the speed limit in both directions when passing a school bus that has stopped for children to get on and off.
The additional schools are:
• Amisfield School, Waikato
• Ararimu School, Papakura
• Dairy Flat School, Dairy Flat
• Elstow-Waihou Combined School, Matamata Piako
• Kaimai School, Western Bay of Plenty
• Loburn School, Waimakariri
• Newstead School, Waikato
• Opoutere School, Thames Coromandel
• Pahoia School, Western Bay of Plenty
• Puni School, Waiuku
• Pyes Pa Road School, Western Bay of Plenty
• Swannanoa School, Waimakariri
• Te Wharekura o Te Rau Aroha School, Matamata Piako
• Tirohia School, Hauraki
• Waikuka School, Waimakariri
• Westmere School, Wanganui
Rural Women New Zealand has cause to celebrate ‘Back to School’ this year as two rural safety initiatives it’s been promoting get the green light. Read More
The deadline to have your say on the NZ Constitutional Review has been extended to 31 July due to growing interest in this topic.
Rural Women New Zealand is encouraging its members to get involved in the current review of how the country is run and what’s important for our future.
In the first half of 2013, the Constitutional Advisory Panel, which is an independent advisory group to the Government, is seeking submissions on New Zealand’s constitution.
Specific topics for discussion include:
the pros and cons of having our constitution written down in a single document,
the role of the Treaty of Waitangi in our constitution, and
electoral issues such as the length of the Parliamentary term.
Panel Co-Chair Emeritus Professor John Burrows spoke at our national conference in Christchurch recently, and encouraged people to become informed and take the opportunity to make a submission.
There was a concern that interest groups could flood the panel with submissions and overtake the process, so Prof Burrows said it was essential for individuals to get involved and to have their say.
This is an opportunity for people to tell the panel how they see New Zealand and its future.
The Panel is due to report back to the Government by the end of 2013. Its recommendations will be based on submissions received.
Public submissions are due by 31 July 2013 and can be made online at www.ourconstitution.org.nz by email or post. People can find a wealth of information and meeting resources on the website or by phoning 0508 411 411.
The deadline to have your say on the NZ Constitutional Review has been extended to 31 July due to growing interest in this topic. Read More
Crime Survey Results: Drink driving and speeding a serious concern
Drink driving and speeding are key areas of concern for rural people according to an online rural crime survey conducted by Rural Women New Zealand.
“Over 80 percent of people told us that speeding was a problem in their community and 75 percent said drink driving was also a problem,” says Liz Evans, Rural Women New Zealand’s national president.
While urban people are getting the message not to drink and drive, in rural communities there are persistent offenders who are still ignoring the law, with serious consequences.
At the Rural Women New Zealand national conference in Christchurch last weekend, John Perham of Crimestoppers and Asst Commissioner: Road Policing, Dave Cliff ONZM, (pictured above) said rural people need to move from being by-standers in the crime prevention process to being active participants in helping police in every way we can to make our rural communities safe.
Often rural people will know who is regularly driving drunk, but there is a reluctance to dob in friends and neighbours.
John Perham said people can give information about offenders to Crimestoppers anonymously, by calling 0800 555 111. Police can then act on the tip off and ensure these people are apprehended and prosecuted.
John Perham said in most years 80 people are killed drink driving. But the numbers of people whose lives are affected is much higher: For every 100 drink drivers killed, 50 passengers and 20 others are killed, and 1,000 are seriously injured.
Seventy percent of the Rural Women NZ rural crime survey respondents also said that theft of fuel was a problem, while just over half saw theft of vehicles or of items from a vehicle as an issue.
Asst Commissioner Dave Cliff said in terms of machinery theft, such as quad bikes, it raises the question 'where were the keys?' "Let's engage in a little bit of self-protection."
Dave Cliff also told Rural Women NZ members that police now see family violence as ‘incredibly important and the most important area when it comes to crime prevention’ because when children are exposed to violence in the home on an ongoing basis, boys in particular become less likely to be empathetic and more likely to become offenders themselves. Whereas when girls are exposed to ongoing domestic violence they come to believe it is perfectly normal, and later, thathaving a partner who is violent is normal.
Stock theft is also a problem, but police will only be able to get to the bottom of it when they start to get evidential material. Dave Cliff urged people in rural communities to report stock theft.
"John Perham, Crimestoppers chairman, assured us that rural people should have no worries about confidentiality when using the 0800 number. The call centre is in the UK so even those of us who think we have distinctive and identifiable voices will remain anonymous," Liz Evans said.
Each year we run a series of cooking demos with Beef+Lamb NZ Ambassador Chefs sharing their hot tips and latest recipes. This year so far we’ve run events in Thames, Wharepapa South, Taranaki, Hamilton and Marlborough.
The 
Rural Women New Zealand is delighted to announce the winners of the RWNZ Enterprising Rural Women Award 2013, following an award ceremony at the opening of the Rural Women NZ national conference in Christchurch yesterday evening.
Applications close 1 July for Rural Women NZ & Access Homehealth scholarship
Rural Women NZ members are being encouraged to stand for local government and District Health Boards in the local body elections being held in September. 
Rural Women New Zealand has cause to celebrate ‘Back to School’ this year as two rural safety initiatives it’s been promoting get the green light.
The deadline to have your say on the NZ Constitutional Review has been extended to 31 July due to growing interest in this topic. 
