MEDIA RELEASE
8 May 2009

For immediate release

Capital Conference for Rural Women New Zealand

Two hundred rural women from around the country are heading for the capital next week, where they will hear Prime Minister John Key’s take on the rural economy.

John Key is speaking at the opening of the Rural Women New Zealand national conference, which is being held at the Duxton Hotel from Friday 15 to Sunday 17 May.  Also speaking at the official opening will be Her Excellency Lady Susan Satyanand, RWNZ’s patron.

John Key’s speech will build on three pre-conference workshops being led by women in rural leadership roles.  Theresa Gattung of Wool Partners International will speak on the topic “Wool – Does it Have a Future?”   Sue Lindsay of BNZ will talk about “Inspiring Rural Leadership”, while Victoria Crone of Telecom will reveal the future “Beyond Skype and Iphone”.

On Friday evening delegates will head to Parliament for the eagerly awaited RWNZ Enterprising Rural Woman Award 2009.

The three Award finalists, Beverley Forrester of Blackhills, Jan Bolton of Kaingaroa Roading Contractors Ltd and Jenny Bargh and Kiri and Kath Elworthy of Tora Coastal Walk will each give a presentation about their businesses, giving RWNZ members and other invited guests an insight into the passion and commitment that has seen them selected from a strong field of 46 entrants for a place at the Award ceremony.

The RWNZ Enterprising Rural Woman Award 2009 has been sponsored by BNZ and Access Homehealth Ltd.

RWNZ’s national president, Margaret Chapman says “Rural Women New Zealand set up the Award to raise awareness of the many small businesses run by women that are contributing to the New Zealand economy and breathing new life into rural communities.  The finalists have all demonstrated the innovation, product and service quality, future growth prospects and economic inputs into the rural sector that we were looking for.”

The RWNZ Enterprising Rural Award 2009 winner will receive the BNZ Trophy, $1500 in prize money and the opportunity to attend a BNZ Women in Agribusiness seminar with Sue Lindsay.

The conference continues on Saturday 16 May when guest speaker Professor Jacqueline Rowarth Director of Massey Agriculture, will address the conference theme: “Diversity in Action – Thriving in Times of Change.”

Wellington celebrant, actor and entertainer Pinky Agnew will bring the conference to a close on Sunday afternoon.

Rural Women New Zealand sincerely thanks its national conference sponsors: BNZ (Silver sponsor), ACC, Access Homehealth Ltd and Telecom (Bronze sponsors), and Ravensdown, Precise Print & Design, TaxRefunds and Bay Audiology.

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