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 Jubilee

Wellington, 24 July 2026

To mark the conclusion of Rural Women New Zealand’s centenary year, Her Excellency the Governor-General, Dame Cindy Kiro, GNZM, QSO will host a morning tea at Government House.

Join fellow members from across the country to celebrate 100 years of Rural Women New Zealand, honouring a century of connection, leadership and community.

Find out more

Centennial Activities and Events

  • 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

  • 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

    • 7 November 2025 Mid Canterbury Centennial Garden Party - Ashburton

    • 9 November 2025 Amuri Dinner Group Garden Party, Culverden

    • 18 February 2026 Ashburton Winchmore Branch Ladies dinner evening

    • December 12 2025 Lynnford Branch Community Event

    • 27 June 2026 South Canterbury Gala Dinner in Timaru 'Going out with a bang'

  • 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

  • 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

    • 28 September 2025 Martinborough Centennial Luncheon

    • 20-22 March 2026 Whanganui Fordell Mangamahu Weekend event

    • 14 June 2026 Hawkes Bay Long Lunch

  • 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

  • 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

    • 21st October 2025 Comedy Cup: Fun Day, Lunch and Friendship Te Rahu/Pokuru Branches

    • 19th November 2025 Centennial High Tea at Zenders, Newstead

    • 12th March 2026 100 Years Celebration with Lunch and historic display in the Waipa King Country, Te Awamutu 

    • 18th April 2026 “Gumboots and Glamour” Centennial Ball, Tuakau.

  • 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

  • For details and enquiries please contact heathersorensen55@gmail.com or see Rural Women New Zealand Top of the North Island

Watch our Centennial Video

To play the video, click on the play button that is located in the middle of the Centennial logo below.

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

The Rural Women NZ rose

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 floribundas have been purchased across New Zealand.

A restock is arriving later this year, with pre-orders available at selected stores and here.