in this issue...
• Floods of compassion
• Schools under review
• Branch line
• Submissions and issues
OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF RURAL WOMEN NEW ZEALAND •
Floods of compassion
Whangaehu River - Wanganui area: Photo by Jeanette Hicks
As public attention gradually recedes with
the flood waters, Rural Women New Zealand
members continue to support the heart of
flood-damaged communities.
For anyone flying over the lower North Island in late February,
the view from the air was sobering indeed. Vast expanses of
shimmering lake existed in place of the normal green patchwork
of farms. From high in the air, the extent of the floods was
astonishing, for those on the ground it was devastating.
When families started leaving their homes, rural women were
opening their doors to local “refugees”. One such woman is Karn
Burke, the wife of a Rangitikei farmer, who took in over 40 people
during the worst of the floods. Even with the power off, she and
her helpers managed to feed between 50-100 people a day.
At the same time, Karn would make a trip down to Scott’s Ferry
every day with a tray of jellimeat to feed the displaced cats and
dogs. At the height of the floods she recalls people worrying
about their domestic animals, which frequently disappeared in
fright as homes were evacuated. Thanks to her care, these
homeless cats and dogs have slowly been reunited with their
owners.
Then there was Dawn Nitschke, the Minister of the historic
Scott’s Ferry Church who played “Camp Mother” to the local
evacuees. Since the flood water started receding, she has moved
barrow loads of silt out of her church, and set up services at the
local school while the old building dries out.
Strengthening Rural Communities
ISSUE No. 2, April 2004
After living at Scott’s Ferry for fifty years, Dawn has seen it all
before. But she never fails to be heartened by the power of
community spirit to transcend the worst.
These are only two examples of how women in flood stricken
communities throughout the region have helped to take care of
details and keep the goodwill flowing. There are many more like
them, mucking in and providing support in ways that don’t grab
the headlines, but are necessary nonetheless.
Rural Women New Zealand recognises that people will need to
draw on the strength of their communities to help them through
the long months of recovery that lie ahead. The Red Cross has
donated funds to support community gatherings organised by
RWNZ. These social events provide the opportunity for a
collective “debrief”, enabling people to talk about their troubles
and share their experiences.
The first of these gatherings was a “Thanksgiving” dinner held at
Opiki on the Manawatu river, attended by around 200 locals and
cleanup workers. Among the helpers were army personnel who
became valued members, albeit temporarily, of this community
and many others. Speeches and thanksgiving prayers reflected
the goodwill that these people now share.
Rural Women members from throughout New Zealand have also
rallied to help flood affected families. A flood fund totalling
over $36,000 (as at 31 March) was accumulated through
donations from individuals, branches and provincials around the
country. This money is available for those in the lower North
Island and Marlborough regions seriously impacted by the
February storms.
Page 1
editorial by Ellen Ramsay, National President
It is ironic that, while
some areas in the
South Island are in
varying stages of
recovery from the
impacts of a “Her name is Myrtle. She’s great - she’ll eat anything,” said Bev
prolonged drought,
families in the lower
North Island are
suffering from the
enormity of the
affects of widespread
flooding.
This flood has left much devastation in its wake and,
as many families come to terms with the consequences
of this event, we are very grateful for the high level of
moral and financial support our members have given
to assist families as they get back on their feet.
Members have clearly demonstrated concern for ‘the
welfare of rural families.’ Ongoing support will be needed for
some time to come.
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) is relieved that the School
Reviews are on hold but has some sympathy for communities
caught in an irreversible position now.
The Government’s promise of better resourced schools does not
mean better education for students - particularly rural students. A
new computer only provides information. A student requires good
education in order to use information properly.
Our Paper on how communities still facing school reviews may
go about influencing the outcomes has been valuable and sought
after by many groups, including one interested in conducting
research on the effects of school closures on children.
In February a group of members, mostly those who had recently
accepted positions of responsibility in their Regions, came
together in Wellington to participate in the annual ‘Wellington
Experience.’ This opportunity provided participants with a ‘taste’
of how RWNZ operates at national level.
Learning how the parliamentary process works, meeting Members
of Parliament, visiting Ministries associated with our core
business, spending time with relevant Corporates and discovering
how our National Office functions made for a full programme.
As a result of this degree of exposure to so much information,
members have returned to their Regions armed with fresh
knowledge and enthusiasm that will enable them to be more
effective at local level. Be watching for new initiatives in your
area.
As my term as National President draws to a close I would like to
thank members for your support and for the ongoing commitment
you have to ensuring that RWNZ remains an effective voice for
‘strengthening rural communities.’
Page 2
C onfessions
of a Rural Woman
If there is one thing I’ve learned from rural living, it’s to be wary of
free animal offers. When I first moved to the farm, I was surprised
by the speed at which my neighbour offered me a goat to help
conquer the blackberry in our front paddock.
from next door, who went on to explain that Myrtle was an Arabian
milking goat.
”We’ve never milked her though,” Bev quickly added.
I was reluctant to part a family from their beloved milking goat, but
Bev was insistent. The generosity of this neighbourly gesture was
reinforced by the delivery of Myrtle within a matter of hours. I
came home to find a noble-looking animal chained to the fence,
haughtily chewing grass.
“Hello Myrtle,” I said, pleased at the arrival of my new automatic
weed-eater.
The goat stared back at me with a look of casual malevolence that
haunts me to this day.
I could see from the start that my relationship with Myrtle was
governed by ancient goat-laws I had yet to fully understand. These
laws were based on a social structure determined largely by physical
mass and temperament.
Myrtle and I were approximately the same weight, so we were even
on that score. Where she clearly outranked me was in her
spectacularly bad temper, which she expressed with the aid of her
eloquent horns. Within a short space of time, Myrtle had established
herself firmly as the alpha female and there was nothing I could do
to dethrone her from this position. It quickly became clear to me
(a) why Myrtle had never been milked, and, (b) why Bev was so
keen to get rid of her.
On the frequent occasions that Myrtle broke her chain and started
pruning the roses, I had the Mother-of-All-Battles getting her back
on the wire. When she wasn’t digging in her toes and refusing to
budge, she would be rearing up to full height on her hind legs with
all the ferocity of a grizzly bear preparing to charge. As intimidating
as this was, I had to admire Myrtle’s ability to stand her ground.
She was always clear about what she wanted and where she wanted
to be.
After living in the front paddock for several years Myrtle became
strangely endearing to me. The complexity of her goat psyche was
as compelling as it was terrifying. I never knew why she was so
pathologically grumpy, but she did do a great job on the blackberry.
Despite the less appealing qualities of Myrtle’s nature, I still
mourned when she passed away. Even when old and frail, she
maintained a level of staunch resolve that was admirable in a goat
half her age. From our various battles, I gleaned many lessons of
value to a budding rural woman. Having had the ultimate teacher in
assertiveness training, I can honestly say that few things faze me
anymore. And as a role model in tenacity, Myrtle was second to
none.
In short, she prepared me well for rural womanhood.
Margaret Richardson
Strengthening Rural Communities

national office activities
Rural Women New Zealand is persuing the following issues:
Education
• Rural Women New Zealand continues to provide support
for those wanting to influence school review decisions in
their area. See page 4 for more information.
• Bulk funding of schools is proposed for special needs
children. Will this system work in the stundents’ favour?
Health
• Are rural women able to access free breast screening?
• DHB elections - what is the best way to use the preferential
vote under STV?
• Are rural children being seen by Dental Therapists?
• How are families coping with drug dependency issues
following the closure of Hamner Springs?
Social
• The Government is looking at the feasibility of the paid
parental leave scheme to include self-employed mothers.
It is hoped that financial relief will be forthcoming to assist
rural mothers who do not have the luxury of taking leave
from their workplace when children are born.
Land
• How can soil stability be improved through strategic
planting programmes in flood prone areas?
submissions
Rural Women New Zealand has recently made the following
submissions:
• GE labelling of food through the Australian Senate.
• Waitaki Scheme Process of Consultation.
• Project Aqua - Meridian.
• Submission to Foundation for Research, Science and
Technology (FRST) to fund fire research.
• Education Review - Invercargill, Timaru, Matakoa, East
Coast, South Egmont, Wairoa, Taihape, Grey Valley, Hutt/
Stokes Valley.
publicity
media r eleases - (see www.ruralwomen.org)
• “Rural Women call for improved dental care”, 23 March.
• “Rural Women join Red cross to boost flood morale”, 22
March.
• “Rural Women applaud Mallard U-turn”, 24 February.
• “Rural Women tackle school reviews”, 23 February.
• “Rural Women welcome boarding bursary increase”,
12 February.
E - n ew s l e t t e r
To go on the e-newsletter mailing list, contact
Margaret.Richardson@ruralwomen.org.nz
Strengthening Rural Communities
issues
dr inking water goes
under the microscope
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) has
issued a report discussing the implications of a Health
(Drinking Water) Amendment Bill. This Bill seeks to
regulate the standard of raw water for domestic supply.
It will impose greater controls on source water (and
surrounding land use) for drinking water and put the
onus on farmers to ensure their water supply complies
with international standards.
The level of impact that the Bill will have on land uses
that surround raw water sources will be dependent on
the water quality and the ability of the landowner to
comply with those standards. Depending on what
regulatory controls are imposed, this could mean
compromising productive capacity and/or increasing compliance
costs through resource consent applications.
Federated Farmers and Rural Women New Zealand have joined
forces to lobby MAF regarding the implications of this Bill on
rural landowners. As a result of this pressure, MAF agreed to
issue a new draft of the report on 31st March that takes better
account of the rural perspective. Of particular interest to RWNZ
is the focus on current risk areas identified as:
• smaller network suppliers who are not adequately monitored.
• self suppliers.
• suppliers of tanker water who are not participating in voluntary
registration and monitoring processes.
RWNZ’s intention is to see that rural people in these “risk areas”
are not unfairly penalised. A submission is being prepared to
address the issue of increased compliance costs, due 30th April.
home schooling
Every young person between the ages of 6 and 16 must be enrolled
at a registered school. Exemptions are granted in cases where
they can be taught equally as well by an alternative means, or if
special education is required. This puts the onus on the parents
to satisfy the Ministry of Education that the child will be taught
at least as regularly and as well as in a registered school. The Act
does not say that the parents have to teach the child.
Rural Women New Zealand questions whether sufficient standards
are being maintained for children whose parents are either
negligent or too busy to provide adequate supervision.
inter national donations
It is RWNZ policy to support its own charitable functions,
however this does not preclude Branches and Provincials from
collecting on behalf of other charitable organisations. The
Constitution 3.2.3 states that money donated to outside
organisations should be made out of funds raised for specific
events or out of investments.
neighbouring south pacific funding
This fund is for natural disasters of extraordinary proportion
made on a case by case basis. RWNZ recently donated $10,000
to Niue, channelled through VSA.
Page 3
feature school
reviews
While the National School
Review has been called to a
halt, the soul-searching
continues in many areas.
The school review process sent
widespread alarm through communities as
lists of schools were earmarked for
merging or closure. Now that ongoing
reviews have been put on hold, Rural
Photo by Jeanette Hicks
Women New Zealand welcomes the
opportunity to set emotion aside and
determine what is truly best for the children. unacceptable distances, there are still serious issues to resolve,”
says Jacky.
Mediators are currently working in areas already
subject to review. To help those who have the energy As hard as it might be to accept, Jacky points out that some schools
left to fight, RWNZ has issued an Education Review are genuinely in decline. “Communities must now use this
booklet. This information has also been picked up by opportunity to be proactive and look at how their local school
Public Health promoters in Christchurch, working closely with network can best be sustained. There is potential to be really
the Mental Health Foundation. They are compiling material to innovative about how these challenges can be overcome.”
help adults and children through the period of change and loss
Rural schools can offer a unique experiences for many children,
associated with school disruptions.
on top of a good standard education. In our next issue we will
One of the regions hardest hit from a rural perspective is South take a look at what successful rural schools are doing to not only
Canterbury. The Timaru district alone contains 34 schools of survive, but to thrive.
which 15 are expected to be closed. Twelve of the schools in
jeopardy are in rural areas, and councillor Margaret Chapman
has been personally involved with two of them. “Hilton School
has served our area for 130 years, and three generations of our squeaky wheels
family have gone there. Naturally, I will be very sad to see it go.” When the boarding bursary increase was announced earlier
Having served on the school’s Board of Trustees, Margaret this year, it was living proof that squeaky wheels eventually
get some oil. Jacky Stafford recalls that National Council
concedes that the roll has seen a decline and many local families
members have been campaigning the Minister for several
have chosen to send their children into the nearest alternative
years on this issue. “If we did not keep on raising these
school at Geraldine. “In a small school, children are often in the
legimate concerns with Government, our needs would be
same class as their siblings, and this can create problems in some
cases.” completely overlooked. That is why the persistant voice of
Rural Women New Zealand is so important in advocating
Although staffing has not been an issue for Hilton Primary School, for rural communities.”
Margaret says that some rural schools suffer from difficulties with
variable teaching standards, where one sub-standard teacher can
have an impact on children for many years.
As RWNZ’s Education spokeswoman, Jacky Stafford agrees.
“The process to have a teacher removed for genuinely poor
performance is very long and difficult. Rural schools are left with
their children being taught by often that one teacher for several
(if not all) of the years they are at primary school.”

The other affected school dear to Margaret’s heart is Pleasant

Point High, at which she used to be a teacher. “Some children
already travel at least 45 minutes on a bus to get to the school. If
it closes they will have to go even further into Timaru.”
The Ministry of Education is quick to cite examples where school
mergers and closures have worked in favour of the community.
Rural Women New Zealand is not so sure. “The time has come to
take a hard look at where the reviews have worked and where
they haven’t. In areas where children are forced to travel
Current National Council from left: (back row) Tini Wetting
(Region 5), Sherrill Dackers (Deputy President - Region 7),
Patsy Gordon (Finance); (front row) Margaret Chapman
(Region 2), Rhonda Riddle (Region 1), Hazel Nicholls (Region
3), Barbara McPhee (Region 6), Ellen Ramsay (President) and
Jacky Stafford (Region 4).

Page 4 Strengthening Rural Communities

 events
the correspondence school revisited wellington exper ience
The Correspondence School (TCS) has played an integral role in
many rural families for over eighty years. With more than 20,000
students, it is now New Zealand’s biggest school, by far. TCS
was originally set up to ensure all New Zealand children,
particularly those from isolated families, had access to education.
Nowadays, it provides education for students of all ages and
abilities up to secondary level.

TCS caters for a diverse range of students from early childhood

to adults, and those with special education needs. Students are
aged between 3 and 93 years. The scope of TCS’s service has
extended to the point where they are compelled to revisit their
strategic plan and take a close look at the nature of their business.
This exercise will involve dialouge with key interest groups
including Rural Women New Zealand, whose long association
with the school gives us a keen interest its welfare and operation.

TCS will be holding discussions to determine what they do

effectively and where they need more support. School funding
will be considered as part of this process.
Correspondence recalled
Anne Finnie is one of many Rural Women New Zealand members
who did her schooling out of envelopes. Based on a sheep and
cattle farm in back-country Wairarapa, Anne attended a small
country school at Mara which used TCS course material to assist
unqualified teachers. Eventually the school closed and Anne
became a full-time Correspondence School student. She recalls
the excitement of receiving new packs in the mail, and the routine
of working through her studies every morning. “We had usually
finished our coursework by lunchtime, so after that I was free to
roam the hills.” When Anne took to breaking-in and training
horses, she enjoyed the flexibility that Correspondence studies
allowed.
During her home schooling years, Anne was supervised by her
mother, Elfie Thomas, herself an ex-Correspondence School
student. Elfie became a strong advocate in the successful campaign
to see parents receive payment for supervising their children’s
education. At the age of 80, Elfie Thomas is still living at Mara
and remains a member of Rural Women New Zealand.
Landcorp Farming Ltd has sponsored RWNZ’s Wellington
Experience for the past 13 years. As a Stated Owned Enterprise,
Landcorp is the country’s largest agricultural enterprise running
1.4 million stock units - sheep, beef, dairy cattle, deer and goats
- on 110 separate farms totalling 369,025ha.
Through Landcorp’s generous sponsorship, RWNZ members are
able to visit Wellington and gain some insight into legislative
processes and the many organisations that serve rural interests. It
is also an opportunity for members to meet National Office staff
and learn about how the organisation seeks to influence
Government decisions on behalf of rural communities.
Participants: Linda Begg (Otago), Margaret Pittaway (Central
Otago), Margaret Chapman (South Canterbury), Bev Bagrie (Mid
Canterbury), Bella Swarbrick (Hurunui), Elaine O’Connor
(Nelson), Anne Finnie (Tararua), Patti-Jean Banks (Rangitikei-
Oroua), Wendy Miller (Tauranga), Joyce Lawrence (South
Taranaki), Margaret Vickers (Central Taranaki), Jennifer Nickel
(Piako-Waikato), Alison Woodcock (Rodney) and Fay Keane
(North Auckland).

“The Wellington
Experience was
very stimulating.
I gained a
valuable insight
into the amount
of work put into
submissions,
both by those
submitting, and
by the politicians on the Select Committees.
I appreciated meeting members from all over the country. and
realising that many of the problems they experience in their areas
are matters that affect us all. Witnessing the respect that politicians
and corporate leaders have for our headquarter members was very
reassuring, and impressive.”
Timon Maxey of The Correspondence School creates
illustrations for use in educational material. TCS rates as one Margaret Pittaway - New president Central Otago Provincial
of the most popular ports of call during the annual Wellington (pictured at right with Anne Finnie)
Experience.

Strengthening Rural Communities Page 5

branchline welcome to new friends rural women
Blenheim: Julia Dawkins, Patricia Dobson.
Cromwell: Carol-Ann Blaikie, Mysie Sutton, Sue
team up
McLean.
Individual: Bubbles Otway - Warkworth, Maureen
McCool - Hamilton.
Kenepuru: Roberta Preddy, Judith Orchard, Pene
Gregar, Adi Watson, Irma van de Linden, Melanie
Ayling, Liz Wheeler, Verla Smith.
Lyalldale: Margaret Fletcher.
Makarau: Alison Todd.

farewell to old friends

Blenheim: Margaret Currie.
Colville: E.M. (Peggy) Goudie.
Kohuratahi: Phyllis Kjestrup. Team Walking: The Mid Otago Provincial Team who took part in
the New Zealand Masters Games 10km Walk in Dunedin,
Lyalldale: Alma Pye. February 2004.
Mangantangi: Ethel Cummings. Pictured left to right are: Joan Wilson, Ellen Ramsay, Pat
Mangapiko: Monica Robertson. Macaulay (manager) Donna O’Neill, Lesley Peddie, Liz Keast
and Barbara Richards.
Myross Bush/Southland Prov: Maureen Stenton.
Oamaru Evening: Iris Harvey.
Paerata: Gladys Petherbridge.

May They Rest in Peace

honours board
Branch Life Membership
Hamilton: Wyn Bramley.
Branch Bar of Honour
Cromwell: Claire Davis.
Provincial Bar of Honour
Rangitikei-Orua: Dawn Nitschke, Margaret Harris,
Kay McKinnon, Dulcie Powell.
Note: These members were incorrectly listed as Branch Top Team Northland: National Councillor Sherrill Dackers, left,
Bar of Honour recipients in the last magazine. (My and Mary Dale Taylor on the RWNZ stand which won the best
indoor site award at the 2004 Northland Agricultural Field Days.
apologies - Ed.)

a wa r d w i n n i n g t e a m wo r k
Rural Women New Zealand will reap ongoing benefits from
winning the award for the Best Indoor Site at the Northland
Agricultural Field Days in Dargaville. The organisation, which
won free sites at the 2005 field days, sublets space on two
adjoining sites to rural businesswomen who lack the resources to
participate independently in the three-day event.

Provincial Bar of Honour recipients from left: Margaret
Harris of Scotts Ferry Branch for her work with Access
HomeHealth; Dawn Nitschke, also from Scotts Ferry, who
runs bus tours for rural women and their husbands; Dulcie
Powell who has been a mainstay of Tutaenui Branch; and
Kay McKinnon, a popular leader of the Rangiwahia
Branch.
Northland members give much of the credit for the win to the
excellent exhibits by the rural businesswomen who shared the
sites. Rural Women New Zealand promoted the work of the
organisation and its Women in Agribusiness groups which are
developing a strong following throughout the region.
This is the third year the organisation has shared sites with rural
businesswomen, an initiative that ties in with Rural Women New
Zealand’s aim to strengthen rural communities.

Page 6 Strengthening Rural Communities

 noticeboard
Regional councillor Sherrill Dackers says the win is a fantastic ACWW a ppointments
bonus for the organisation and an incentive to do even better next
RWNZ members Val Tarrant and Jeanette Tarbotton
year. “Our participation in the field days stretches our budget, so
have been re-elected to their current positions at the
we’re incredibly excited by the prospect of being at the field days
recent Associated Country Women of the World
for free next year.”
(ACWW) Conference in Hobart. Congratulations are
The Northland event is the second biggest agricultural field day extended to these former RWNZ Presidents.
in New Zealand.
leader ship training
RWNZ has discussed a proposal with MAF to use
Sustainable Farming Fund (SFF) money for
leadership training in the rural sector. In the past, a
Team Building:
scattergun approach has seen a range of organisations
Members at the
pursue their own training initiatives with varying
Region 5
success. The SFF is already supporting a Young
conference in Farmers initiative for leadership training. and is
Rotorua work calling for a coordinated approach between rural
together to organisations to target resources more effectively and
make an egg
avoid duplication of effort.
fly!
board room for hire
The National Office has upgraded its meeting room
and is making the space available for hire. Preference
will be given to charitable organisations who require
teaming up for the environment affordable facilities for holding meetings and
seminars. For more information contact Lillian on
A NZ Landcare Trust Field Day in Oropi, near Tauranga, brought
(04) 473 5524 or lillian@ruralwomen.org.nz.
landowners, landcare groups, community, agency staff and
politicians together in the call for better land management in the wake of wellington
practices. Rural Women New Zealand also had strong attendance
Wellington Experience participants are required to complete
which was particularly relevant given their historical connection
a community project of their choosing. We look forward to
with the NZ Landcare Trust.
hearing about the progress of these initiatives in coming
Topics discussed included native replanting programmes and the months.
affect of riparian planting on water quality and stream life.
honda house
In summing up for the day Don Ross, CEO of NZ Landcare Trust,
Honda House is a popular Bed and Breakfast owned by
said: “While it was significant for landowners to want to make a
RWNZ. Located right next to the National Office in
change, it was important to use the support available to them”.
Thorndon, it is close to Parliament and central Wellington.
NIWA’s involvement with some of the Bay of Plenty landcare
For bookings, phone Shirley on (04) 473 7670.
groups, the technical and financial assistance available from
Environment Bay of Plenty and the facilitation and networking
skills of the NZ Landcare Trust all help the landowners to get
positive ‘action on the ground’.

Councillor Mary
Dillon’s closing
comments left the
challenge that
community change
through group action
was achievable and
often through concern
or anger the community
was able to turn their
voices into positive
forces for real results.
Ever wondered what our esteemed leaders get up to at
Tu Piahana of Ngai Tamarawaho, Dave Lind from Waikaraka Regional conferences? President Ellen Ramsay enjoys a foot
Estuary Managers and Susan Lancaster, President Rural massage at the hands of Executive Officer, Jo-Anne Stokes
Women Oropi Branch, examining invertebrates during the - Region 5 conference. (Watch out Jo-Anne, National
water quality monitoring demonstration at NZ Landcare Trust Councillors will be lining up for their turn next!)
Bay of Plenty Field Day.

Strengthening Rural Communities Page 7

meeting the board of held almost every office,
including being on National
access homehealth Council for 8 years. This has made
her a hardened campaigner on
Marilyn Hutchings has been involved with Access Homehealth many fronts.
for many years. She was part of the committee that negotiated
Marilyn was also a founding
the funding contract with Northland Home Support Trust in the
member of the Life Education
1990’s. This contract marked the beginning of the Home Support
Trust in Northland and is very
Service in Northland.
involved in the Ayrshire Breeders
As a Rural Women New Zealand member for 43 years, Marilyn’s Association.
main purpose on the Board is to ensure that the interests of rural
“I have done a far wider range of
women are properly served. Accustomed to handling business
things with my life than I would
matters on their 1,000 dairy farm in the Bay of Islands, she also
have done if I hadn’t been
contributes a healthy sense of business.
involved with Rural Women. It has given me many opportunities
During her time with Rural Women New Zealand Marilyn has and experiences that I may not have had otherwise.”

women in agribusiness
see cattle in a new light
by Rae Newman

The ability of Northland’s women farmers to evaluate cattle took

a giant leap forward when genetics expert Russell Priest spoke at
the region’s Women in Agribusiness field days in February.

Mr Priest, the genetics co-ordinator for Hamilton-based Meat and

Wool Innovations, spoke on cattle genetics and breeding at
meetings near Kaitaia and at Mangakahia near Whangarei. Cattle
were yarded so women could put their knowledge to the test.

Ruth Renner, an Angus cattle breeder who hosted the Kaitaia day
at Diggers Valley, says it was a huge thrill having Russell at her
farm especially as she started breeding cattle only eight years
ago and comes from a non-farming background.
“It was a perfect workshop and is something I’ve been wanting
to attend for a long, long time. Now it takes me three times as
long to walk my cattle anywhere because I’m watching them from
the point of view of structural soundness.”
Ruth enjoys Women in Agribusiness because it is self directed
and she can nominate subjects that interest her. “It’s nice to have
a group of women who are in the same industry with the same
sorts of interests.”
Meanwhile, Daphne Graham, an Angus cattle breeder who farms
near Okaihau, says Russell’s comprehensive talk made EBVs
more meaningful. “The afternoon session tied both strands
together. He’s certainly made me look at our animals more
closely.”
She attributes the group’s success to RDO Shelley Deeming’s
commitment, enthusiasm, contacts and the fact that she facilitates
each meeting.
Shelley, a dairy farmer and pedigree Jersey breeder, says she now
knows why animals should look a certain way. “I knew legs should
look like this and backs should look like that without really
knowing why.”
Kaurilands’ WiAg groups took a different tack from RWNZ’s
Women in Farming groups when Northland women wanted to
cater for farmers across all sectors and there weren’t enough sheep
and beef farmers in the region to run viable groups.
With local businesses providing sponsorship and speakers, the
hosts have gone out of their way to make the days a success.
WiAg groups meet about five times a year and attract about 30
women. Subjects covered so far include dog training, accounting,
calf rearing, land access, OSH regulations, beef markets, condition
scoring, selecting cattle for sale and purchase, farm safety and
land care. Women pay $5 per meeting.
The aim of WiAg is to help women realise their potential through
strengthening their choices and opportunities and increasing their
confidence.
Contact: Shelley Deeming on (09) 432 3779.

Official Journal of Rural Women New Zealand • PO Box 12021, Wellington • Tel 04 473 5524 • Fax 04 472 8946 Email

ruralwomen@clear.net.nz • www.ruralwomen.org • ISSN no 1171-4425

Editor: Head Office, PO Box 12021 Wellington • Printer: Precise Print & Design, Paraparaumu

Page 8 Strengthening Rural Communities