Rural Women Alive!

This is the Email newsletter of Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ). It is sent out regularly by National Office in Wellington to keep you and your networks up to date on news, resources and opportunities. 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.

Do you have items you'd like included in this newsletter? Share your news, forthcoming events etc, by emailing Jackie.Edkins@ruralwomen.org.nz

LAND:

LAND ACCESS: Several members have written to national office on the proposed Walking Access over private land. RWNZ is awaiting the next round of submissions when the draft legislation is proposed. It is not certain when this is likely to be.

TRANSPOWER: Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) has been working alongside Federated Farmers (FF) with the Landowners Forum on the issue of erection of new power lines between Waikato and Auckland. RWNZ opposes the construction of power lines on private property unless the landowner willingly sells that interest in their land. It must be noted however that Transpower has two options available to secure the property rights necessary to build the new transmission line across private land: Negotiation of easement agreement with affected landowners; or Compulsory acquisition through the Public Works Act FF with the Landowners Forum has been developing a model easement agreement that Transpower will use as the basis for negotiations with landowners for the right to erect new lines on private land.

SOCIAL

JANUS WOMEN'S CONVENTION: RWNZ will be presenting a workshop at the Janus Women's Convention in Wellington from 3-6 June 2005. The conference is an examination of the Women's Movement over the past 30 years. Register by 4 May to receive earlybird reductions Registrations can be made online at www.womensconvention.telecom.co.nz, or phone Joanne on (04) 475 9057.

ITEMS OF INTEREST

WORLD RURAL WOMEN'S DAY - The focus for World Rural Women's Day 2005 (15 October) will be "What Rights for Women as Rural Citizens?" The theme aims to "promote the role of rural women in society, defend their rights and sensitize the rest of the population about their livelihoods."

LOWER NORTH ISLAND AGRICULTURAL RECOVERY PROGRAMME - (Re Feb 2004 / August 2004 storms / floods): The 1 May deadline for INITIAL APPLICATIONS (Stage One - Eligibility) for AGRICULTURE is fast approaching. It is extremely important that any farmers or growers who haven't yet applied or sought advice about doing so act immediately. Potential applicants need to allow time to make the required statutory declaration. However the deadline for ELIGIBLE FARMERS to submit receipted invoices / proof of payment for partial reimbursement under the Agricultural Recovery Programme has been extended to 30 September 2005. The deadline for submitting original receipted invoices and /or proof of payment for FORESTRY WORK is now 30 September 2006. (Stage One applications for forestry assistance closed last November). For further information contact Cheryl Craig (04) 474 4149. Mob: 027 2444 000

CHARITIES COMMISSION - CHANGE OF MINISTRY: The Government has announced a change in plans as to who will be responsible for the proposed new Charities Commission and its legislation. From 1 July the Charities Commission will come under the Department of Internal Affairs, reporting to Rick Barker, Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector. Previously responsibility for the yet-to-be formed Commission lay with the Ministry of Economic Development.

The Charities Commission will be an autonomous Crown entity designed to support and assist the charitable sector in "building capacity and developing capabilities". It also provides for a registration, reporting and monitoring system for charities. Registration will be voluntary, but charities wishing to benefit from retaining or gaining income tax exemption will need to register.

VOLUNTARY SECTOR - GOVERNMENT U-TURN: The Government is under fire from voluntary organisations after announcing that it is not going to continue with setting up an entity which a collaborative group of voluntary sector agencies has been working towards since 2000. The Community Sector Taskforce was established in 2003 to develop a framework for dialogue with government, set priorities and build on existing capacity. Last Monday Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, Rick Barker, announced that cabinet had decided not to proceed with the entity, which has been deemed "unworkable". For further information see www.community.net.nz/HotTopics/CSTaskforce/.

BIG BANG AND THE COSMOS: Simon Singh believes geniuses like Einstein are not the only people able to grasp the physics that govern the universe. According to him, we all can. In his new book "Big Bang" Simon tells the story of the brilliant minds that deciphered the mysteries of the Big Bang. As a science writer and broadcaster he has produced and presented numerous series for the BBC. A gifted storyteller, Simon Singh is touring New Zealand in May for Auckland Writers and Readers Festival O5. He will be in Wellington on 18-19 May and Auckland 19-21 May. His book will be in the shops from 9 May. For further information tel (09) 443 9400 or email lise.taylor@harpercollins.co.nz. Also check out www.simonsingh.net or www.writersfestival.co.nz.

WORKER OR WWOOFER?: We have had a request from a Jennifer Montgomery from Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania looking for work "this summer". She doesn't specify, but I'd guess that means "this winter" for us. She is doing a Masters in Sustainable Systems and is looking for an internship on a New Zealand farm. She has previously spent 3 months here WWOOFING. If anyone is interested in seeing her resume, please email me: Jackie.Edkins@ruralwomen.org.nz, or contact her directly. Her email address is jen.montgomery@gmail.com.

SUICIDE PREVENTION: The Ministry of Health is about to consult on the draft New Zealand Suicide Prevention Strategy in May. At this stage consultation meetings are planned for Paihia, Central Auckland, Manukau, Hamilton, Masterton, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch and Invercargill. Meetings are also being considered for Waitakere, North Shore, Tauranga, Rotorua, Opotiki, Hastings, New Plymouth, Wanganui and Greymouth. If you'd like to see a meeting held in one of these towns contact suicideprevention@moh.govt.nz. Only 10-15 meetings will be held so the extra meetings will be held based on expressions of interest.

RWNZ GENERAL BUSINESS:

NATIONAL CONFERENCE: Note remits and nominations for National Council close on 22 April. The draft programme will be coming out soon and we have a great line up of interesting speakers for you to enjoy.

CORRECTION: Our major naming rights sponsor for the National Conference in Dunedin is Pyne Gould Guinness; apologies for the incorrect spelling in the last issue of Rural Women Alive!

BEEF AND LAMB DEMONSTRATION: A beef and lamb demonstration with Greg Heffernan will be held at Carrick Winery, Bannockburn on 11May, 6pm. Tickets are available from Pat Macaulay. Tel (03) 464 3861. Or email macaulay.p@xtra.co.nz.

WOMEN IN AGRIBUSINESS:

A Women in Agribusiness discussion day will be held at the Lowburn Hall near Cromwell on 12 May from 10.00 am to 2.30pm. This day is open to all interested women in the rural communities in Central Otago, whether you are a high country farmer or in the horticulture, wine or nursery and cut flower industry. The group hopes to have a speaker on the Tenure Review issue and the RMA.

WOMEN IN FARMING GENERAL BUSINESS:

DOG SALE - 4 MAY: A dog sale will be held on 4 May at 1pm at 957 Raukawa Road, Bridge Pa Hastings. Good line up of genuine dogs (as at 10/4 this included 15 Huntaways and 16 heading dogs). Dogs to give a demonstration. For further information contact Rocky Hawkins (06) 8775540 (027 441 0777).

MANAWATU / RANGITIKEI WIF MONITOR FARM DAYS: Ruth and Jim Rainey - Monday 18 April 12.30pm, Kawhatau Valley, Mangaweka. Annie and Ian Harvey, Wednesday 20 April 1pm, SH54, Kimbolton. Contact Ruth Rainey (06) 382 5507 or email: raineys@xtra.co.nz

TARARUA WIF: Visit to Ballantrae Thursday 21 April to look at nitrogen experiments (very high use of nitrogen on hill country). Contact Melissa Timmins (06) 857 7915).

INVERMAY DAY - RWNZ NATIONAL CONFERENCE 29 JUNE: Speakers have been confirmed for the Genetics and Environment day on 29 June. Genetics of lamb survival - Julie Everett-Hincks; Genetics of disease resistance - John McEwen; Genetics of ewe fertility - George Davis; Central Performance testing - Anna Campbell; SIL, across flocks evaluation - Sheryl-Ann Newton.

Calendar: 11 April - Beef & Lamb Demonstration, Carrick Winery, Bannockburn 18 April / 20 April - WIF Farm Monitor days 20 April - Applications close for Biodiversity Condition and Advice Funds 21 April - WIF visit to Ballantrae 22 April - Nominations for national council and remits for conference 30 April - Nominations for national honours 1 May - Initial applications close for Lower North Island Agricultural Recovery Programme 30 April - Competition entries to national office 4 May - Dog Sale (see above) 27 - 30 June - Conference in Dunedin / Visit to Invermae For our full calendar of events, see www.ruralwomen.org

JOINING RURAL WOMEN NEW ZEALAND

What can Rural Women New Zealand offer you? - Involvement in supporting and developing your local community - Contact with local and national decision makers - New skills, practical training and personal development - Information for business owners - Good opportunities to meet people

To join Rural Women New Zealand: We have branches and groups spread throughout New Zealand. All meet regularly - some for social contact and others to discuss or monitor a specific issue, such as landcare. 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 tohttp://ruralwomen.org/joinus.htm.

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