Enterprising Rural Women Awards entrants for 2016

Rural Women New Zealand’s annual awards showcase rural women who run their own successful businesses. For the entrants, it is an opportunity to promote their innovative rural enterprise and gain recognition for their contribution to their community.

Each category winner receives $1,000 in prize money and a trophy, with a further $1,000 being awarded to the supreme winner who is judged as an exceptional rural business women. Prizes also include clothing from Swazi Apparel and from the Agri-Women’s Development Trust $400 worth of executive coaching for each category winner and an additional $3,400 professional development package for the supreme winner.

2016 ERWA categories:

- Emerging Enterprising Rural Woman Award (Inspiring business or community leader)

- Innovative Enterprising Rural Woman Award (Use of new technology and adapting to rural location)

- Entrepreneurial Enterprising Rural Woman Award (Business success in horticulture, agricultural, dairy, tourism or rural sector).

“This year we have seen some very dynamic businesses emerging in the regions,” says Wendy McGowan, RWNZ National President and judge for the awards.

The judging panel also includes representatives from our partners ANZ Bank, Swazi New Zealand and HP New Zealand. They have been impressed by the high calibre of entries and “outstanding rural business women.”

RWNZ acknowledges additional competition partners Agrisea New Zealand and WIZwireless Ltd.

2016 ERWA entrants:

Barbara Faulls: Smiths Farm Holiday Camp, Picton: www.smithsfarm.co.nz 

Smiths Farm in proud to offer a quality holiday with space, peace and the clean country air and has been rated as 4+STAR and Enviro Silver by Qualmark. Situated on a working beef farm, the park is a base from which to relax, explore the Marlborough Sounds.

Bernadette Jackson: LaValla Estate, Tuakau: www.lavalla.co.nz 

Function and event centre with accommodation and a theatre. The venue recently hosted the Fieldays Bachelor Breakfast with Rural Women New Zealand. The key deliverables for the venue are rest, feast, play and focus.

Marian Hirst: Bay Blueberries, Hastings: www.bayblueberries.co.nz 

Passionate about producing quality apples and blueberries in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner. Recipient of the 2016 Balance Farm Environmental Supreme Award for the East Coast Region.

Monique and Lyn Neeson: Shear Warmth, Taumarunui: www.shearwarmth.co.nz 

Produce top quality wool blankets, made in New Zealand and can be traced back to wool grown on the family farm. The sheep and beef farm Awarima recently featured on Country Calendar.

Helen Slattery: Slattery Contracting Limited, Matamata: www.slatterycontracting.co.nz

The Slattery Family has been involved in Ag Contracting since the mid 1950’s, starting hay making and cultivating land. The business has grown from harvesting conventional hay bales, ploughing and undersowing to a wide range of services.

Amy Dibley: Physio Direct, Rotorua: www.physiodirectnz.com 

Amy Dibley started Physio Direct when she realised that many small rural areas do not have adequate physiotherapy services. Amy grew up on a dairy farm in Ngongotaha on the outskirts of Rotorua, She understands the physical demands of a rural life and believes everyone should have the right to health services which is why she offers physiotherapy to small communities.

The winners will be announced at the Enterprising Rural Women Awards ceremony on Saturday 12 November in Wellington.