RURAL WOMEN ALIVE! No. 30 – 20 July 2005

This is the Email newsletter of Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ), compiled by national office. The format has been kept simple to avoid download problems. If you do not wish to receive this email please let us know by replying to this message.

EDUCATION: SCHOOLING STRATEGY – Education Convenor Jacky Stafford will be attending the launch of the Government’s Schooling Strategy in Wellington on Thursday 28 July. We made submissions on the strategy during the consultation phase earlier this year.

HEALTH: RURAL HEALTH SEMINAR - Health Convenor Margaret Chapman will be speaking at the Rural Health Summit to be held in Wellington on 28-29 July. The summit will look at innovative and cost effective solutions to the problems of access, cost and quality in rural healthcare, including new communications to support the introduction of advanced medical technologies to rural patients.

LAND: LEGAL ACCESS: The Government has agreed to enter into a round of consultation with interested parties re access over private land, including unformed legal roads (paper roads). It is likely this will commence in September. At the same time there will be a mapping exercise of paper roads. RWNZ will be involved with the consultation process and will contact members when further details are known.

SOCIAL: TELECOMMUNICATIONS DAY 2005 – Jacky Stafford will be teaming up with Charlie Pederson of Federated Farmers on the affirmative team debating ‘Leave the Kiwi Share alone’ during a Telecommunications Users Association NZ (TUANZ) conference in Wellington next week. The conference looks at how NZ can boost its use of the latest in telecommunications technology.

SOCIAL REPORT 2005 – We have received a copy of this ‘hot off the press’ report which provides a picture of wellbeing and quality of life in NZ, including a comparison with other countries. The report comes from the Ministry of Social Development.

ITEMS OF INTEREST:

ANIMAL WELFARE - PIGS AND CHOOKS: Codes of welfare covering layer hens and pigs have recently been released by NAWAC - the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee. These codes, issued under the Animal Welfare Act 1999 outline minimum standards required for the care and protection of animals. For the report go to http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/animal-welfare/nawac/annual-report/nawac-ar -0 4.pdf. The codes can be requested from MAF (04) 474 1429 or email animalwelfare@maf.govt.nz.

GENETIC ENGINEERING: Author Bob Anderson’s latest book on genetic engineering “The Final Pollution: Genetic Apocalypse” presents an overview of GE technology. You can read about why the author believes GE technology poses a grave danger to sustainable farming and organics, and potentially to human health. The book is available from RG and J Anderson Books, PO Box 8188, Cherrywood, Tauranga at a special pre-publication price of $20 until 31 August. (RRP $24.95).

HOOFING IT!: RWNZ member Lynne Moore has recently started up in business in the lower North Island doing Barefoot Hooftrimming for horses. She says it beats getting a ‘real job’! Contact Tidy Trims Hoofcare on 06 329 7767 or 021 147 081 or email lynne.moore@xtra.co.nz.

EARLY CHILDHOOD FUNDING BOOST: Trevor Mallard recently announced that community groups will be able to apply for funding to create new early childhood centres through a second round of the Discretionary Grants Scheme, as announced in the budget. Info available on the MOE website from 25 July.

VOLUNTEERING: Rural Women know only too well the value of volunteering, but did you know that there is an organisation that supports, promotes, values and encourages volunteering – Volunteering New Zealand? Established in 2001 the organisation runs Volunteer Day and the awareness week, develops resources and advocates for volunteers on issues such as health and safety, tax and funding. Check out their websites www.volunteernow.org.nz and www.volunteeringnz.org.nz.

SAFEKIDS: Here are some ideas worth thinking about for keeping our kids safe rom the Safekids campaign joygunn@adhb.govt.nz or phone/fax 03 455 4242 § Run a baby walker dump campaign by encouraging families to bring baby walkers to a specific location and ‘crush’ them with a bulldozer. Don’t take them to the dump without crushing them as people may use them again. § Work with rural schools to create awareness of the speed limit for vehicles passing school buses which are dropping off or picking up children § Ask your local council what it plans to do with regard to implementing the recently approved New Zealand Playground Equipment Standard

MEAT AND WOOL NZ: Poukawa Field Day, Thursday 28 July 1-4.30pm. Poukawa Research Farm, 14kms south of Hastings on SH2. Ryegrass performance in HB, increasing N use in HB hill country, improving hogget lambing percentages and management of triplet ewes, lamb survival. Update on National Livestock Identification system.

WEEDS: Check out the Weedbusters website at www.weedbusters.org.nz re info about what you can do to stop the spread of environmentally and economically damaging weeds. Includes descriptions, photos and control methods including herbicide rates.

RURAL LEADERSHIP TRAINING: A newly accredited Rural Leadership Development Programme is being run by Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre throughout New Zealand. The 8-9 month course involves monthly one-day group workshops. This is seen as complementing practical Agricultural ITO and Taratahi farming courses. Registration information from nicolaholmes@xtra.co.nz.

RURAL WOMEN NEW ZEALAND / WOMEN IN FARMING / WOMEN IN AGRIBUSINESS – CALENDAR OF EVENTS

26 July, 2 August - GENETICS COURSE with Sharon McIntyre. Tel: Amanda Graves (03) 248 5331 or Sharon McIntyre (03) 207 1828 for more information.

27 July - “CLOUD FARM” – South Canterbury WIF are holding a pre-spring luncheon at Poplars Reception Centre, Pleasant Point Highway, 11.45am. Guest speaker is Jane Chetwynd, author of the book ‘Cloud Farm’. If anyone would like to attend call Margaret Chapman on 03 697 4869.

26 August - GROWSAFE COURSE, Taihape. Contact Ruth Rainey email: raineys@xtra.co.nz

1 August - LEGAL ISSUES FOR RURAL WOMEN DISCUSSION DAY – with Dunedin Lawyer Kathryn Lucas, covering employer and employee responsibilities, property rights (rural issues), succession planning, family & estate issues. Lowburn Hall. Cost $15. 9.45am to 3.15pm. Registrations tel: Pat Macaulay, (03) 464 3861.

12 September – BUSINESS PERFORMANCE SEMINAR with Paul Bird, Hamilton based Regional Manager for Dexcel. 10am to 2.30pm. Brian and Jenice Moyle’s property, Oaks Road, Otaika. All welcome. $5. Tel: Shelley Deeming (09) 432 3779.

19 September: MOHAIR GOAT FARMING – PASTURE NUTRITION – Meeting of Women in Agribusiness at Kohukohu. Tel: Shelley Deeming (09) 432 3779 Email shelleydeeming@paradise.net.nz.

15 October – TELECOMMUNICATIONS CONFERENCE – organised by Waikato Rural Women. Presentations by Telecom and Fonterra. Hands-on keyboard experience courtesy of Wintec and the Artecmobile bus. Venue Hamilton Cosmopolitan Club, 10.30am – 3pm. Free to RWNZ members, $15 non-members. Lunch provided. Registrations appreciated by end August. Tel: Rachael Dean (07) 827 6778, email: gww2004@ihug.co.nz. Numbers limited.

JOINING RURAL WOMEN NEW ZEALAND

Rural Women is the leading rural women’s organisation in New Zealand and has been providing rural women with a national voice on rural issues and a local framework for social and educational activities since 1925.

To join Rural Women New Zealand: We have branches and groups spread throughout New Zealand. All meet regularly. You may want to join an existing branch or get some friends together and start your own group. Our subscription fee is only $22.50 per year to join an RWNZ branch. Alternatively, you can join as an individual member for $37.50 per year. Individual membership entitles you to direct mailings without having to become involved with a branch. Each member receives six copies per year or our magazine Rural Women and our Year Book. To join, go to http://ruralwomen.org/joinus.htm. For further information see our website: www.ruralwomen.org.

ENDS

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