Search begins for the inaugural Rural Woman of the Year

Rural Women New Zealand welcomes the recent KiwiSaver reforms and says it will help rural families get onto the property ladder. 

Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) is proud to be supporting PINC & STEEL, New Zealand’s only charity dedicated to cancer rehabilitation, for their Move Over Cancer Campaign.

Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) welcomes the release of the People's Select Committee on Pay Equity report today, saying its findings confirm what rural women have long experienced and what RWNZ warned when the Equal Pay Amendment Act was passed under urgency last year.

Rural Women New Zealand has submitted on the Emergency Management Bill (No 2), welcoming recognition of rural communities' unique vulnerabilities while calling for stronger protections for community-led response. 

Rural Women New Zealand welcomes Pharmac's decision to fund emergency medicines for rural communities, calling it a significant step forward for equity in healthcare.

On Wednesday, 11 February the Ovarian Cancer Foundation NZ launched their new report on the state of ovarian cancer in Aotearoa. Speakers at the event shared the report findings, and personal experiences of ovarian cancer. RWNZ attended in support of this cause.

Dansy Coppell won the Innovation award at the 2024 NZI Rural Women Business Awards. Two years on, we asked Dansy to reflect on her experience and why she would encourage rural women to enter.

Farmers Weekly and AgriHQ CEO Dean Williamson and Rural Women New Zealand CEO Sandra Kirby look forward to developing a new partnership between the two organisations.

Victoria Pemberton, ConnectHER for Southland, hosted an event for rural women at Davaar Station on Sunday, 1 February. Women from across Southland gathered together to be the first group to share connections and discuss rural health and wellbeing.  

For rural women and families, access to emergency medicines can be the difference between life and death. Rural Women New Zealand supports Pharmac’s proposal to expand emergency medicine access in rural communities.

Applications are now open for the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards, to be held at Parliament on 23 July. The awards celebrate the very best of female entrepreneurship and business achievements. Entries close 27 March.

The Board of Rural Women New Zealand is excited to announce the appointment of a new Chief Executive, Sandra Kirby 

Rural Women New Zealand has welcomed the Canterbury Police District’s decision to withdraw its proposed restructure that would have seen several rural police stations closed in favour of centralised hubs.

“Rural New Zealanders rely heavily on postal services, not just for mail but for medication, paying bills, receiving essential deliveries, and maintaining business operations. For many, frequent, accessible post services are a necessity.”

Rural Women New Zealand is welcoming the Government’s invitation for submissions on the Telecommunications Sector Review, and looks forward to advocating for affordable, accessible telecommunications for rural New Zealanders.

In its appearance before the People’s Select Committee on Pay Equity, Rural Women New Zealand called on the Government to reconsider changes to the Equal Pay Act that threaten to entrench pay inequities and exacerbate workforce shortages in rural communities.

Rural Women New Zealand acknowledges the Commerce Commission’s recommendation to deregulate the copper network but insists rural communities need to be supported through the transition.

Rural Women New Zealand is welcoming the Finance and Expenditure Committee’s report on banking competition and its acknowledgement of the challenges faced by rural communities in accessing banking services.

Budget 2025 includes a $250,000 investment for the 2025/26 financial year to help Rural Women New Zealand expand its reach during its centenary year and continue its vital role supporting rural families and communities.