Past, Present and Future - The Rural Women New Zealand Centennial year

For 100 years RWNZ, originally Women’s Division of the Farmers Union, has been a force to reckon with, sometimes quietly and humbly, and sometimes with an audacious display of courage and lateral thinking.

Always though, for the benefit of rural women and rural communities right across Aotearoa. New Zealand.

As it marks 100 years of existence this year, and celebrates its Centennial, it will be stepping up its work to meet the needs of the next generation of rural women.

It will be there to advocate; for health access and services, for connectivity, for safer rural roads, for education for rural students, for those areas where rural women and their communities are not as well served as their urban counterparts.

Without the contribution of RWNZ the rural environment would look vastly different today.

Not long after forming in 1925 the lack of access to health for rural communities led to the development of a programme where Bush Nurses on horse-back provided health care to remote areas. The organisation went on to create incredible health progammes through the decades. A legacy can be seen in the likes of Access Community Health, still providing services across the country today.

In the 1940s members wanted to support the war effort. Within a month they’d raised 5,000 pounds to buy a Spitfire, the equivalent of around $630,000 in today’s money. That energy and innovation is a recurring theme.

In the early 80’s members took to the streets and to the steps of Parliament to protest government reforms.

Today, as well as advocacy, activities continue to include community fundraising, volunteering, business development, and generally getting stuck in when it’s needed, including during adverse events.

For 100 years Rural Women New Zealand has made a massive contribution to New Zealand, and they’re not stopping.

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