PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE - The Rural Women New Zealand Centennial year
Rural Women New Zealand, originally known as the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union (WDFU), was founded in July 1925 by 16 women in a search for community and friendship and to improve support systems for their fellow rural women.
For a century, Rural Women New Zealand has been an integral part of Aotearoa New Zealand's rural landscape, supporting and promoting the well-being of rural women, their families, and communities. Throughout our history, RWNZ has been at the forefront of rural issues, ensuring that the voices of New Zealand's rural women and their families are heard. We celebrate our heritage, especially as the objectives of our founding members remain central to our authoritative voice on policy and decision-making.
As we celebrate our centennial, we reflect with pride on our legacy and look forward to continuing our mission of strengthening, supporting, and connecting rural women communities across Aotearoa, New Zealand. To learn more about our history please see Our History
Centennial Activities and Events
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For details and enquiries please contact ebroberts51@gmail.com or see Rural Women New Zealand Lower South Island
27 July 2025 Thornbury Branch 95th birthday party
29 August 2025 North Otago Provincial Lunch with a speaker in Oamaru
30-31 August 2025 Tapanui Provincial Reunion
2 October 2025 Henley Branch Afternoon High Tea
18-19 October 2025 Moa Flat Bake-off competition
19 October 2025 Anderson Park, Southland Centennial Gathering
2 November 2025 Clifden Branch Historic Walk and Formal Dinner
16 March 2026 Waikouaiti Afternoon High Tea
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For details and enquiries please contact catherine_ritson@yahoo.co.uk or see Rural Women New Zealand Canterbury
4 July 2025 South Canterbury Afternoon Speaker and evening meal
24 July 2025 Centennial Conference, Ashburton. RWNZ Canterbury Scholarship to be presented at the Conference.
August 7th 2025 Rural Women in Selwyn Centennial Exhibition, official opening and talk by Frances Beeston. Te Ara Ātea, Rolleston Library.
11 September 2025 Anama Branch Social Function
17 October 2025 Darfield / Glenroy Afternoon Tea and Garden Tour
1 November 2025 South Canterbury High Tea / Garden Party Kakahu, Geraldine
7 November 2025 Mid Canterbury Centennial Garden Party - Ashburton
9 December 2025 Amuri Dinner Group Garden Party, Culverden
February 2026 Lynnford Branch Community Event
18 February 2026 Ashburton Winchmore Branch Ladies dinner evening
27 June 2026 South Canterbury Gala Dinner in Timaru 'Going out with a bang'
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For details and enquiries please contact Barbara.McKay@ruralwomennz.nz or see Rural Women New Zealand Top of South Island
1 July 2025 - 30 June 2026 Nelson Provincial co-ordinated events for Tasman, Brightwater, Murchison, Maruia, St Arnaud and West Coast
18 February 2026 Marlborough Garden Party
March 2026 Golden Bay Provincial Garden Party
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For details and enquiries please contact paulinemasters@xtra.co.nz or see Rural Women New Zealand Lower North Island
1-3 August 2025 Conference and Launch Centennial in Manakau
August 2025 Central Hawkes Bay Centenary Celebrations Luncheon
17-September 2025 Hawkes Bay Morning High Tea
5 October 2025 Martinborough Centennial Luncheon
20-22 March 2026 Whanganui Fordell Mangamahu Weekend event
May 2026 Hawkes Bay Long Lunch
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For details and enquiries please contact bizykiwi@xtra.co.nz or see Rural Women New Zealand Bay of Plenty
22 August 2025 AGM and special lunch
15 October 2025 Rotorua Luncheon - International Rural Women’s Day
30 October 2025 TePuke-Rotoehu High Tea
April 2026 Waihi Centennial Lunch
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For details and enquiries please contact fionagower@hotmail.com or see Rural Women New Zealand Waikato
19th September 2025 100 years of Rural Women NZ Celebration, Bledisloe Building, Mystery Creek
19th November 2025 Centennial High Tea at Zenders, Newstead
21st October 2025 Comedy Cup: Fun Day, Lunch and Friendship Te Rahu/Pokuru Branches
12th March 2026 100 Years Celebration with Lunch and historic display in the Waipa King Country, Te Awamutu
18th April 2026 “Potaes and Pearls, Gumboots and Glamour” Centennial Ball, Tuakau
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For details and enquiries please contact morgl@xtra.co.nz or see Rural Women New Zealand Taranaki
25 July 2025 Central Taranaki Centennial Lunch and AGM
13 November 2025 North Taranaki, Oakura First Branch and Centennial Lunch
15 May 2026 South Taranaki High Tea, Tairoa Lodge, Hawera
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For details and enquiries please contact heathersorensen55@gmail.com or see Rural Women New Zealand Top of the North Island
11 October 2025 Kerikeri Centennial Garden Party
2026 events coming soon…
Watch our Centennial Video
To play the video, click on the small white triangle play button that is located in the middle of the Centennial logo below.
The Rural Women NZ rose - celebrating our centennial year!
The ‘Rural Women’ rose was created especially for our Centennial year. Bred by award winning rose breeder Bob Matthews from Matthews Nurseries Ltd of Whanganui. Thousands of these superbly fragrant floribunda have been purchased across New Zealand and are currently sold out.
Rural Women NZ Merchandise
Centennial Collection: Celebrate 100 years of Rural Women New Zealand with our Centennial merchandise. Featuring a tea towel with a historic timeline, a commemorative glass and a beautiful enamel pin, each piece is both practical and meaningful. All profits will go back into supporting our rural communities - make sure you don’t miss out!
We invite you to watch these special messages from Her Excellency the Governor-General of New Zealand and the Honourable Minister for Women. Their words offer thoughtful reflections and recognition of the important role women continue to play in shaping our communities and our nation.
Honourable Minister for Women Nicola Grigg
Her Excellency the Governor-General of New Zealand Dame Cindy Kiro