october 2008 rural women magazine, new zealand

8/9/2019 October 2008 Rural Women Magazine, New Zealand

1/8Strengthening Rural Communities Page 1

O F F I C I A L J O U R N A L O F R U R A L W O M E N N E W Z E A L A N D ISSUE No.3 September 2008

Adapting to climate change

Practising for general practice

Keeping school kids safe

RWNZ journalism award

i n t h i s i s s u e . . .

Southland RWNZ members Rhonda Riddle and Ann Irving during the annualinspection of Castledowns Forest with former manager George Platts

World Rural Womens Day - Climate ChangeWorld Rural Womens Day is being held on15 October, and Rural Women New Zealandmembers are gearing up to celebrate. The themeof this years event is Climate Change Rural

Women Are Part of the Solution.

This internationally-recognised day honours theimportant contribution women make to rural life.The idea for a special day sprang from the UNConference for Women in Beijing in September1995 and is celebrated worldwide.

Sustainability and environmental awareness arenot new concepts for Rural Women New Zealand,but this years World Rural Womens Day theme isa chance to showcase some of the ways RWNZmembers are addressing these issues.

For the last 60 years RWNZ Southland brancheshave been involved in a sustainable forestry projectat Castledowns near Dipton. The 200 acre blockwas donated to Rural Women New Zealand, andin the early days some of our members grew thepinus radiata seedlings themselves.

The forest is now professionally managed andincludes a mix of radiata and eucalypt trees. Smalllots are milled every three years on a rotationalbasis. Southland member Rhonda Riddle says inrecent times profits have been hit by the low price

of logs and rising costs of felling and forest management. In future, shesays, there are plans to mill larger lots for better cost efficiencies.

Over the years the Southland branches involved have received dividends

which have allowed them to contribute to many charitable projects, including the purchase of a scanner for Southland Hospital.

To mark World Rural Womens Day groups around the country are holding awide range of events. In Region 4 (Central) Professor Jacqueline Rowarth,the foundation chair in Pastoral Agriculture at Massey University and anappointee to the governments seven-member Fast Forward Board, will bethe guest speaker at a regional lunch at Sanson.

West Otago members are having a gold themed day at Lawrence witharchaeologist Professor Richard Walters talking about the Chinese Settlementin the area. The New Zealand gold panning champion will be giving ademonstration and members will also hear a guest speaker from Century

Farms, an organisation representing farms in New Zealand that are over100 years old.

Sue Lindsay is the celebrity speaker at the Piako-Waikato East World RuralWomens Day event, being held at Tatuanui Hall and sponsored by Bank

of New Zealand. Sue was the winner of the 1998 World Young BusinessAchievers Award. In Tauranga guests are set to be motivated by rowerStephanie Foster and inspired by Sue Furey from the Tauranga EnvironmentCentre.

South Canterbury members will be hearing from Ruth Clarke on practicalenvironmentally friendly changes you can make, while national president,Margaret Chapman, fresh from the ACWW South Pacific Area Conferencein Perth, will talk about conference highlights. In Invercargill, Jo Morgan worldadventurer is set to enthral members with news of her travels, while Emily

Kerse will speak about fashion design.

And finally, were the good old days really good? Taranaki members will beinformed and entertained on the topic in the debating chamber of the NewPlymouth District Council.


2/8Strengthening Rural CommunitiesPage 2

Deer vaccinated for leptospirosis showed increased growthDeer vaccinated for leptospirosis showed increased growthrates of up to 6.5 kilos compared with deer in the samerates of up to 6.5 kilos compared with deer in the sameherd that were unvaccinated, a recent study from Masseyherd that were unvaccinated, a recent study from MasseyUniversity has revealed. This raises many questions aboutUniversity has revealed. This raises many questions aboutthe possible effects of leptospirosis on productivity in sheep, the possible effects of leptospirosis on productivity in sheep,beef and dairy cattle which need further research according tobeef and dairy cattle which need further research according to

Professor Cord Heuer, of Massey Universitys EpiCentre Unit.Professor Cord Heuer, of Massey Universitys EpiCentre Unit.Speaking at an RWNZ Wellington Network meeting last month,Speaking at an RWNZ Wellington Network meeting last month,Prof Heuer said 85% of deer herds are affected by leptospirosis,Prof Heuer said 85% of deer herds are affected by leptospirosis,a disease that can be passed to humans through bacteriaa disease that can be passed to humans through bacteriashed in the urine of infected animals. However large numbersshed in the urine of infected animals. However large numbersof beef herds (69%) and sheep ocks (44%) are also affectedof beef herds (69%) and sheep ocks (44%) are also affectedby the disease, meaning a high incidence of exposure in theby the disease, meaning a high incidence of exposure in therural community, and potentially far-reaching effects for farmrural community, and potentially far-reaching effects for farmproductivity.productivity.

The Massey EpiCentre team recently studied the incidenceThe Massey EpiCentre team recently studied the incidenceof leptospirosis in 242 meat workers at the Silver Fern Farmsof leptospirosis in 242 meat workers at the Silver Fern FarmsTakapau plant, which is a sheep-only abattoir. The study revealedTakapau plant, which is a sheep-only abattoir. The study revealed9.5% of workers in the plant had antibodies for the disease.9.5% of workers in the plant had antibodies for the disease.

Massey scientists now want to study the effects of leptospirosisMassey scientists now want to study the effects of leptospirosison productivity in sheep and beef, including lamb and eweon productivity in sheep and beef, including lamb and ewemortality, foetal loss and growth rates.mortality, foetal loss and growth rates.

We want to do the study to clear the picture, says ProfessorWe want to do the study to clear the picture, says ProfessorHeuer. We want to establish facts and provide objectiveHeuer. We want to establish facts and provide objectiveinformation about the extent of the problem in people afterinformation about the extent of the problem in people afterhaving quanti ed the extent of the problem in animals. We needhaving quanti ed the extent of the problem in animals. We needto look at sheep and beef and if there are marked effects then to look at sheep and beef and if there are marked effects thenthat would be an indication for vaccination or other means of that would be an indication for vaccination or other means of prevention. The researchers will also look at the leptospirosisprevention. The researchers will also look at the leptospirosisin vaccinated dairy herds.in vaccinated dairy herds.

The Massey scientists will then turn to the issue of the exposure ofThe Massey scientists will then turn to the issue of the exposure of farmers, farm servicing personnel, such as vets, and meat workers.farmers, farm servicing personnel, such as vets, and meat workers.

Funds raised by Rural Women New Zealand have enabledFunds raised by Rural Women New Zealand have enabled

Massey to take on a PhD student who will co-ordinate the plannedMassey to take on a PhD student who will co-ordinate the plannedresearch projects. The rst project is a collaborative study withresearch projects. The rst project is a collaborative study withvets in Hawkes Bay, Manawatu, Wairarapa, Canterbury andvets in Hawkes Bay, Manawatu, Wairarapa, Canterbury andSouthland. Farmers will receive questionnaires and vets will beSouthland. Farmers will receive questionnaires and vets will becontracted to collect samples. The study will run in conjunctioncontracted to collect samples. The study will run in conjunctionwith a research project into Johnnes disease.with a research project into Johnnes disease.

Professor Cord Heuer

By Margaret Chapman, National PresidentBy Margaret Chapman, National President

Welcome to ou r new look Rura l WomenWelcome to our new look Rura l Womenmagazine.magazine.

This magazineis more outwardlooking and willfocus on issuesRural WomenNew Zealandi s c u r r e n t l yadvancing andadvocating onat a nat ionallevel and issueso f g e n e r a lc o n c e r nf o r r u r a lf a m i l i e s a n dcommunities.

F o r R W N Z

members thispublication willsit alongside the RWNZ Express but will also havea much wider circulation and be seen as thea much wider circulation and be seen as thepublic face of the organisation.public face of the organisation.

Recently I had the privilege of leading the RWNZ delegationRecently I had the privilege of leading the RWNZ delegationto the South Pacific Area conference of ACWW (Associated to the South Pacific Area conference of ACWW (AssociatedCountry Women of the World). The conference was attendedCountry Women of the World). The conference was attendedby 350 women from throughout the South Pacific area. Theby 350 women from throughout the South Pacific area. TheWorld President Dato Ursula Goh also attended.World President Dato Ursula Goh also attended.

While the conference was interesting we were all veryWhile the conference was interesting we were all verydisappointed with the lack of discussion on issues thatdisappointed with the lack of discussion on issues thataffect rural women and rural communities. Issues suchaffect rural women and rural communities. Issues suchas climate change, drought, world food shortages and theas climate change, drought, world food shortages and theplight of women in many countries were not discussed orplight of women in many countries were not discussed oreven on the agenda. Discussion centred on the internaleven on the agenda. Discussion centred on the internalissues of the organisation.issues of the organisation.

Full credit must go to the Island delegates who providedFull credit must go to the Island delegates who providedmuch food for thought and opportunities to further assistmuch food for thought and opportunities to further assistin their progression to self sustainability, as well as colourin their progression to self sustainability, as well as colourand music.and music.

Certainly one the highlights of the conference for me - and ICertainly one the highlights of the conference for me - and Ibelieve for all New Zealand delegates - was the networkingbelieve for all New Zealand delegates - was the networking opportunities with like minded women from throughoutopportunities with like minded women from throughoutthe area. the area.

I believe RWNZ will need to be prepared to pick up theI believe RWNZ will need to be prepared to pick up thegauntlet to make sure future conferences focus ongauntlet to make sure future conferences focus oninternational concerns affecting rural women and theirinternational concerns affecting rural women and theircommunities.communities.

The theme for World RuralWomens Day (October 15) isThe theme for World RuralWomens Day (October 15) isClimate Change Rural Women are Part of the Solution.Climate Change Rural Women are Part of the Solution.Rural Women New Zealand has some excellent informationRural Women New Zealand has some excellent informationand links to sites that can provide more information. This isand links to sites that can provide more information. This isa complex issues with huge implication for the agriculturala complex issues with huge implication for the agricultural

sector, and indeed for everyone, so it behoves us all to besector, and indeed for everyone, so it behoves us all to beas informed as possible.as informed as possible.

I believe many of the RWNZ World Rural Womens DayI believe many of the RWNZ World Rural Womens Dayevents around the country will be focusing on this theme.events around the country will be focusing on this theme.Look out for one near you.Look out for one near you.

e d i t o r i a l Lepto update



AdaptingAdapting to Climate to ClimateChangeChange - by Trecia Smith, Snr Policy Analyst, MAFThe effects of climate change are real, but not all bad for NewZealand agriculture. New information and research are telling anew story about future land management. In a nutshell, we canexpect changes in how the environment behaves and we needto adapt in order to remain resilient and sustainable.

Practices may alter in response to the changes, such as decisionsbased on seasonality, managing water resources more ef ciently,managing risk over longer time periods and looking at using newspecies and varieties. As the century progresses, pasture dryingin spring is likely to begin earlier and there may be an earlier startto pasture growth in the late winter or spring.

MAF is working with sectors, local government and Maori tounderstand future land management needs and to prepare ave year adaptation programme. MAF also commissioned theEcoClimate report to look at the possible changes in productionfrom a changing climate.

Implications for ProductionThe report concludes that for an average year later in thecentury, the economic effects on production in dairy, sheepand beef farming are small when averaged across the country.Improvements in production are projected in both dairying andsheep/beef farming in Southland and the West Coast of the SouthIsland. These regions are likely to remain wetter with a warmingclimate. In the east and north, production is set to decrease withthe increased drying.

Flows in the rivers fed from the Southern Alps in Canterbury andOtago are expected to increase (on average) under most climatechange scenarios even during dry years in the east. But it is yetunclear whether the increase in water supply will compensatefor a rise in demand in drier eastern areas.

Future DroughtsProjected national production is projected to decline for the driestyears during the 2030s and 2080s, worse than for the driest yearin the 1972 2002 period.

Two scenarios were used to look at the frequency of futuredroughts that occur currently on average once every 20 years.Scenarios are used to understand the effects of differentgreenhouse gas emission levels on the climate.

Taking Timaru as an example, in the low medium scenario rather

than a drought occurring (on average) once every 20 years,droughts could occur between once every ve years and onceevery 10 years. Thats two to four times more frequently than now.In the medium high scenario, the drought could occur betweenonce every two and a half years to ve years (four to eight timesmore frequently), if the global emissions are higher.

Growing conditionsThe report shows that the west is likely to become wetter, theeast drier and all of the country warmer. This will lead to changesin soil moisture de cits across the country and increases ingrowing degree day values. Changes to growing degree dayvalues and soil moisture will affect plant growth patterns andagricultural productivity.

The full report Costs and Bene ts of Climate Change andAdaptation to Climate Change in New Zealand Agriculture: WhatDo We Know so Far? is available online atwww.maf.govt.nz/climatechange/slm/ag-production/page.htm

A new government report has found that womenA new government report has found that womenmake up more than a third of self-employedmake up more than a third of self-employedpeople in New Zealand, but that women facepeople in New Zealand, but that women facesome particular challenges in running their ownsome particular challenges in running their ownbusinesses.businesses.

The Women in Enterprise report, preparedThe Women in Enterprise report, preparedjointly by the Ministry of Womens Affairs and the jointly by the Ministry of Womens Affairs and theMinistry of Economic Development, provides aMinistry of Economic Development, provides aprofile of the characteristics of self-employedprofile of the characteristics of self-employedwomen in New Zealand and highlights trendswomen in New Zealand and highlights trendsin womens involvement in small- and medium-in womens involvement in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).sized enterprises (SMEs).

As women entrepreneurs become an increasing force in the New ZealandAs women entrepreneurs become an increasing force in the New Zealandeconomy, it is important to know how they are faring, and to find out whateconomy, it is important to know how they are faring, and to find out whatmay have helped or hindered them along the way to self-employment.may have helped or hindered them along the way to self-employment.Small- to medium-sized businesses are vitally important to our future.Small- to medium-sized businesses are vitally important to our future.They account for 97 percent of all New Zealand firms and they employThey account for 97 percent of all New Zealand firms and they employ31 percent of our workforce. SMEs create jobs and wealth and they31 percent of our workforce. SMEs create jobs and wealth and theyrepresent huge potential for growth. Increasingly those SMEs are beingrepresent huge potential for growth. Increasingly those SMEs are being founded by and run by women.founded by and run by women.

This report helps us better understand who self-employed women areThis report helps us better understand who self-employed women areand what their experiences have been through the process of setting upand what their experiences have been through the process of setting upand running their businesses. The research involved focus groups andand running their businesses. The research involved focus groups andphone interviews with businesswomen across the country, includingphone interviews with businesswomen across the country, including fashion designers in Dunedin, women running a range of differentfashion designers in Dunedin, women running a range of differentbusinesses in Auckland, client managers from New Zealand Trade andbusinesses in Auckland, client managers from New Zealand Trade andEnterprise (NZTE) and people involved with M ori womens businessEnterprise (NZTE) and people involved with M ori womens businessdevelopment.development.

Although it did not specifically target rural women, the findings are likelyAlthough it did not specifically target rural women, the findings are likelyto be as relevant to rural entrepreneurs as to urban ones. Certainly the to be as relevant to rural entrepreneurs as to urban ones. Certainly theinvolvement of women in rural businesses is clear to see, whether itinvolvement of women in rural businesses is clear to see, whether itis running farms, or associated businesses such as home-stays, oris running farms, or associated businesses such as home-stays, oroperating retail businesses in provincial towns. Rural Women Newoperating retail businesses in provincial towns. Rural Women NewZealand deserves credit for the support it offers rural women in business,Zealand deserves credit for the support it offers rural women in business,including your new Enterprising Rural Woman Award.including your new Enterprising Rural Woman Award.

Overall, the same kinds of factors (such as having a good business planOverall, the same kinds of factors (such as having a good business planand an innovative product) are likely to lead to business success for bothand an innovative product) are likely to lead to business success for bothmen and women. The different career paths taken by women and menmen and women. The different career paths taken by women and menmay mean, however, that women experience more difficulty getting intomay mean, however, that women experience more difficulty getting intoa position where they can be successful.a position where they can be successful.

Although women are setting up businesses at a faster rate than men,Although women are setting up businesses at a faster rate than men,women are still less likely than men to be self-employed, and self-women are still less likely than men to be self-employed, and self-employed women have lower average incomes than self-employedemployed women have lower average incomes than self-employedmen, even amongst those who work full-time. A range of factors aremen, even amongst those who work full-time. A range of factors arelikely to contribute to this situation. Perhaps the most significant arelikely to contribute to this situation. Perhaps the most significant arethe differences in work history and experience that women and men the differences in work history and experience that women and menbring to self-employment. The report tells us that many women enterbring to self-employment. The report tells us that many women enterinto self-employment because they believe it will offer greater flexibilityinto self-employment because they believe it will offer greater flexibilitybut, in reality, balancing work with caring and other responsibilities canbut, in reality, balancing work with caring and other responsibilities canprove just as much a challenge as for those who are not self-employed.prove just as much a challenge as for those who are not self-employed.

Because women undertake a greater share of unpaid work, particularlyBecause women undertake a greater share of unpaid work, particularlycaring work, they accumulate less paid work experience and have longercaring work, they accumulate less paid work experience and have longerand more frequent career breaks. This can affect their ability to developand more frequent career breaks. This can affect their ability to developbusiness-related experience and networks, gain confidence, and accessbusiness-related experience and networks, gain confidence, and accessdebt finance, all of which can impede success in business.debt finance, all of which can impede success in business.

Self-employed women Self-employed womenimportant to NZ economyimportant to NZ economy - by Steve Chadwick, Minister of Womens Affairs



f e

a t u r e Practising for rural practice

Rural Women New Zealand membersknow many good reasons why youwould want to live and work in arural community. But attracting young professionals such as doctors

to rural areas can be a challenge.Many rural communities must relyon locums and overseas doctors,while our own young graduates headoverseas or decide to work in urbancentres.

But how can rural communitiesattract doctors if medical studentsget little or no exposure to ruralgeneral practice? Dr Pat Farry,Medical Director of Te Waipounamu

Rural Health Unit of the University of Otago,recognised the problem and in 2000 set

out to

nd a remedy. He introduced a seven-week rural health attachment at the DunedinSchool of Medicine to give students thechance to experience rural practice.

They went out in groups of three to six rural teaching centres and when they came back they were absolutelyastonished at how good it was. They came back excited,saying it was some of the best teaching and learning they hadexperienced.

Dr Farry then looked at the possibility of running a three yearprogramme for fourth, fth and sixth year students to immerse

themselves in rural general practice, rather than the traditionalpath of study at one of the four main tertiary hospitals. In 2006

the Minister of Health approved the scheme and three studentsfrom each of the Dunedin and Christchurch Schools of Medicinewere placed in two centres: Queenstown, where Dr Farry isbased, and Greymouth, a popular rural placement.

We were very lucky to get such good students adventurousand willing, says Dr Farry.

The students live and work alongside doctors in the ruralcommunities, where they have the opportunity to interact withpatients and follow their progress from rst contact to treatment,including visits to local rural and tertiary hospitals. They alsohave to meet their academic goals with supervision from localclinicians and support from regional co-ordinators. Traditionalstudy also has its place with students learning through textbooks,IT resources, DVDs and a video link to Dunedin tutorials.

Pat Farry now works full time on the Rural Medical ImmersionProgramme (RMIP). I think that general practice is wherestudents learn best its where the patients are, he says.These days hospital stays for patients are so short. Hospital-based students will often try to follow up on a patient they havebeen allocated and the patient has gone home.

Rural immersion medical student, Brad Stone, agrees. One of

the really good things about it has been the patient contact. Youget lots of patient contact compared to what you get in tertiarycentres. We are seeing a patients, taking their history, coming up with a diagnosis and a management plan were getting alot of good experience.

The rst years success has led to the programme being extended.This year 12 places were on offer with students based inQueenstown, Greymouth, Balclutha and Dannevirke. Next year

the number of students will rise to 20.

The six students from the original pilot are about to graduate at the end of this year and will now work in a large metropolitanhospital for their first post graduate year to achieve fullregistration. Four of the six intend to apply to work in smallerprovincial hospitals for their second post graduate year.

Dr Farry says the support of Rural Women New Zealand over theyears has been very much appreciated, particularly in providing billets to students.

In September ve pharmacy students from the Otago MedicalSchools Matagouri rural health club were billeted with RWNZmembers throughout the country as they gained experience of rural pharmacy.

RWNZ is now in talks with Aotearoa Rural Health Apprentices

(ARHA), the umbrella organisation covering the four ruralhealth clubs based at the Auckland, Wellington, Christchurchand Dunedin medical schools, with a view to extending thisbilleting scheme nationwide and into the elds of medicine,physiotherapy, dentistry and nursing.

The RWNZ offer of help is seen as a very positive one by ARHA. Itrecognises the importance of good rural experiences in attracting health professionals back to rural areas and helps overcome thedif culties for students in nding accommodation in rural areas fora week or two during their placements, says Brad Stone.

Rural Women New Zealand has also been approached by the

Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners to assist innding longer term accommodation for young doctors interestedin becoming rural GPs who work as trainees during a three monthrural rotation, and for GP registrars who have ve months ruralrotation as part of their vocational training.

Dr Pat Farry (right) with fth-year students (left to right) Roxanne Shahtahmasebi,Brad Stone and Mike Tolmay, who are part of the rural medical immersionprogramme - Photo University of Otago Magazine



Keeping school kids safeRural Women New Zealand is continuing its campaign for ashing lights to be installed on all school buses, along with bold 20kphsigns to remind drivers of the speed limit when passing a stationaryschool bus. This would bring New Zealand in line with Australiawhere ashing warning lights are compulsory on school buses.

During August national president Margaret Chapman, along with

national councillors Jacky Stafford and Sue Saunders met with the Bus & Coach Association, the Minister of Transport Safety, theNational Manager of Road Policing and the Ministry of Education

to press our case. While we received a sympathetic hearing wehave as yet received no undertakings for changes to the rulesregarding school bus signs or warning lights.

Sadly we recently heard of yet another serious accident involving a child who had just got off a school bus in Northland.

Gary Payinda is an emergency physician who has recently attendedseveral Northland children hit by cars while crossing the road aftergetting off school buses, some with serious, even fatal, injuries. He

says these are not accidents, but tragic and preventable incidents.If we can afford ashing lights on wide trailer loads, road worksites, or even just to mark large potholes, we can certainly afford

them for our school buses as well.

He says the costs of equipping school buses with warning lightsshould not be a deterrent. The cost to society of just onehead-injured child for lifelong treatment and rehabilitation, not

to mention lost earnings, can easily run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Between 1993 and 2002 there were 12 fatalities, 20 seriousinjuries and 77 minor injuries as a result of school bus

incidents.Kaitaia bus company Petricevich, which has 25 school bus runs,has put bold 20kph signs in the windows of its buses and is

As part of Safety Week 2008, Rural Women New Zealand launched a letter writing campaign on school bus safety, and we are also calling for nationalspeed limits to be introduced outside rural and urban schools. Many schools in rural areas are sited in 100kph zones and at present there is an ad hocapproach where communities can apply to the relevant authorities for a reduced speed zone outside schools, which may or may not be approved.

One such area is Hawea Flat, near Wanaka in Otago, where the school, early learning centre, playgroup and a childrens music group are all located next toroads with 100kph and 70kph speed limits. Belinda Rixon-Church of Hawea Flat RWNZ group says We at the kindergarten have a 100kph speed zonepast our front entrance! We think its absolutely horrendous that because we are only a small rural community and not on a major road we dont meet thecriteria of a government formula to have our zones reduced to 50kph.

At peak times we have 175 children in the area and this number is growing as our little community is increasing in size. Due to the sessional times parentschoose for their children at the kindergarten and the hours of operation of the Hawea Playgroup and Hawea Flat Mainly Music, pickup times are not restricted

to school hours, which makes it even more crucial to have a 50kph speed limitas children are around the area all hours. I hope RWNZ lobby the governmentaggressively and dont take no for an answer.

Rural Women New Zealand commends the recent pilot programme introducedby Whangarei District Council which has seen large 40kph signs with flashing lights erected outside four local schools, resulting in traffic slowing downmarkedly.

We encourage councils and the NZ Transport Agency to erect such signs outsideall schools. We can educate our children on road safety, but the fact remains

that children are unpredictable and find it hard to judge speed and distance. Thestatistics speak for themselves: If a person is hit by a vehicle at 20kph they havea 5% risk of dying, whereas a person hit at 70kph has a 99% chance of being fatally injured. So whats more important? The cost benefit of traffic getting fromA to B in the shortest possible time or keeping our school children safe?

planning to install ashing lights as soon as it gets permissionfrom the NZ Transport Agency to do so. A school pupil was killedafter getting off a Petricevich bus earlier in the year, when he wasstruck by a four wheel drive vehicle.

It was his rst day on the bus, says Garth Petricevich, who cameacross the accident a few minutes afterwards. It was the rst timeits happened, but I dont ever want to see it again.

Garth Petricevich says the signs which were sponsored by ACC and the local REAP Road Safety Co-ordinator have certainly helped slowpassing traf c, along with publicity in the local media. However carsare beginning to speed up again. He believes installing ashing

lights will make a difference and the cost is money well spent.A childs life is worth a lot more than a couple of sets of lights.

Slow down! say Hawea Flat children

s

a f e t y



e v e n t s Enterprising Rural Woman Award 2009

Strong interest in Rural Women New Zealands newEnterprising Rural Woman Award 2009 has seen a largenumber of application forms mailed out and downloadedfrom our website since the launch of the Award at ournational conference in Blenheim in May.

The Award, which is being sponsored by the Bank of New

Zealand, will be presented at a ceremony to be held at the Grand Hall of Parliament on 15 May 2009.

In establishing this Award, Rural Women New Zealandwants to celebrate the success of rural womenentrepreneurs who often have to overcome additionalchallenges in business because of their geographicallocation, says RWNZ national president MargaretChapman.

We hear many inspiring stories of women who haveshown great determination and innovation in developing successfulrural businesses and we want to showcase these enterprises.

The winner will receive $1500 in prize money and the opportunity to attend a BNZ Women in Agribusiness course, as well as a trophy.There are also prizes for two runners up.

This is a great opportunity for rural businesswomen to promote themselves through publicity surrounding the Awards, and we urge them to send in their entries.

The Awards are open to non-RWNZ members, and entry formsand full entry criteria are available on the RWNZ website - www.ruralwomen.org.nz or by phoning 0800 2 JOIN RWNZ (0800 256467). Entries close 16 February.

Children in 112 rural locations will be dryer and safer as they waitfor the school bus, or wait to be picked up after school, thanks to theTotalSpan Undercover Kids bus shelter programme. The companywill begin erecting the new shelters in November and December.

We are going to put up112 bus shelters, four perregion of our 28 franchises

throughout the country,says TotalSpan GeneralManager Leon Skylakis.

Earlier in the year thecompany approachedRural Women NewZealand and rural schools to promote the programme and toliaise with rural communities regarding the best places to site theshelters.

The bus shelters do not require resource consents, and the NewZealand Transport Agency (formerly Transit) has given approval forbus shelters to be erected on State highways. Schools will be noti edshortly whether their applications have been successful or not.Any applications for shelters that have not made it into this yearsbuilding programme will automatically be considered next year.

Rural Women New Zealand applauds TotalSpan for its UndercoverKids initiative. We are also having discussions with the companyabout the possibility of erecting signs near the shelters to remindmotorists of the 20kph rule when passing a stationary schoolbus.

RWNZ sponsors new journalism award

The NZ Guild of Agricultural Journalists & Communicators ismarking its 50th anniversary in October and Rural WomenNew Zealand is helping to celebrate by sponsoring a new

journalism award.

Journalists entering the Rural Women New Zealand Award

2008 have submitted two published articles based on the theme of rural women making a difference.

This Award recognises the important contribution womenmake and have always made in rural communities, either

through their role in the farming sector, or to the general ruralenvironment, in its broadest sense, says Guild secretary, SueMiller. Our national president, Margaret Chapman, will present

the Award at the Guilds 50th anniversary dinner to be held inWellington in October.



With a good southerly blowing the ag poles rattled and standards uttered andsnapped for a ne display as the Governor Generals new ag was presented atGovernment House in Wellington in June.

Annabel Sidey and Jane Russell-Bowen of Scotts Ferry Branch, representing RuralWomen New Zealand, were among the guests invited from a range of volunteerand non-pro t organisations to attend this special occasion.

The Governor General Anand Satyanand welcomed everyone and praised theirwork in the voluntary sector.

Our patron, Her Excellency Susan Satyanand, was involved in the new ags design,which includes New Zealand elements. The ag bears the shield of the NewZealand coat of arms with a crown above. It replaces the ag approved by King George V in 1931 which was a standard pattern designed for use by GovernorsGeneral of the Dominions.

After the Governor Generals speech, guests followed the of cial party out onto the front terrace where, with drumrole and national anthems, the old ag was lowered and the new was raised. The guests then mixed and mingledand were free to look through Government House. It was a truly national occasion, says Annabel Sidey.

o ur

p

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A new ag for the Governor-General

A capital experiencePlanning is underwayfor the next WellingtonExperience, the Landcorpsponsored Rural WomenNew Zealand leadership

programme which will beheld in February.

Fifteen RWNZ memberswill have the opportunity to learn more about the workof Rural Women New Zealand at a national level and tonetwork with other members from around the country toshare ideas.

The Wellington Experience is a great upskilling opportunityfor future leaders in our organisation, says nationalpresident, Margaret Chapman.

The women will meet Members of Parliament as well assenior people in various Government agencies and otherorganisations whose legislation and policies impact onrural communities.

Margaret Faulkner who attended last year says though shesbeen a member of our organisation for many years she wasinitially apprehensive about attending. But the experienceleft her enthused and helped build her con dence.

I was absolutely amazed at all the people Rural Womendeal with and the fact that they listen and act upon what

we are telling them.

Margaret said she realised the importance of responding torequests from national of ce for feedback on speci c issuesaffecting the rural sector.

P a p e r Wo r kRural Women New Zealand recently made a submission on

the MAF Climate Change Stocktake Report, drawing attention to the need for the Government to support innovative andsustainable farming practices.

We noted that the farming community in New Zealand isalready practiced at adapting to change. Sheep numbershave almost halved since the 1980s and are at present wellbelow the 1990 level. On this basis, sheep farmers are alreadymaking the required contribution in reducing greenhouse gasemissions to pre-1990 levels, albeit that this is primarily aresult of market forces.

Our major concerns revolved around ongoing viability andsustainability of farming, particularly in relation to theEmissions Trading Scheme (ETS), and the pressures of climactic events on rural communities as a whole. A shortfallof the MAF Stocktake Report is that it has not identi ed how

the agricultural and rural sectors may react to the restrictiveeffects of the Kyoto Protocol and ETS.

We recommended that the cost of Emission Trading Schemeregulation should be shared amongst all communities, as allbene t, and said that an incentive-based and co-operativeapproach would achieve far better results. RWNZ feels that inorder to reduce the overall carbon footprint, the governmentmust not solely target rural businesses, but must look moreclosely at the whole supply chain.

Other Submissions:Other Submissions: We are currently drafting submissionson the NZ Institute of Rural Health discussion documentMoving Forward in Rural Health, and the Ministry of Justicesconsultation document on Improvements to Sexual ViolenceLegislation in New Zealand.

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Ofcial Journal of Rural Women New Zealand PO Box 12021, Wellington Tel 04 473 5524 Fax 04 472 8946

Email [email protected] www.ruralwomen.org ISSN no 1171-4425

Editor: Head Of ce, PO Box 12021 Wellington Printer: Precise Print & Design, Paraparaumu

Congratulations to Rangitikei Women in Farming group member, Diana Baird, and her husband Grant,who were winners of the 2008 Ballance NutrientManagement Award and the Hill LaboratoriesHarvest Award as part of the Ballance FarmEnvironment Awards for the Horizons Region.

The judges noted that their operation was anexcellent example of successful diversification.

With 80ha of flat fertile river terraces and 380hectares of steep hill country in the Kawhatau Valleyeast of Mangaweka, the Bairds have a wide ranging operation including sheep and beef, a summerfruitorchard, Drysdale stud, farm forestry and mostrecently, cereal cropping.

The Hills Laboratories Harvest Award recognised

the success of the Bairds highly productivepeacherine orchard and the way the orchard andpastoral systems complement each other withlambs grazing the windfalls and orchard pruningsas part of the farm feed budget.

The couple also have an innovative form of protection against damage to the fruit by birds with

the use of native falcons.

The tapping of springs into troughs high up on hillshas positively altered the movement of nutrient bystock and also meant better pasture utilisation.

Thei Ballance Nutrient Management Award winreflects the Bairds decision to apply fertiliser by helicopter only on faces(i.e. excluding ridges and gullies) which is then naturally transferred byanimals to other areas. This method saw a fifty percent reduction in fertiliserapplication for the same amount of total production, thus reducing nitrousoxide emissions, a greenhouse gas.

The judges also made special note of Dianas contribution, putting to use

Women in Farming

Ballance Farm Environment Award Winners

Diana Baird in the peacherine orchard on her Kawhatau Valley farm

her business degree from Otago University, particularly in the research andfinancial management areas of the operation. She is currently studying foran Executive MBA through Massey University.

Diana and Grant have accessed assistance through the MAF SustainableFarming Fund (SFF) and the Meat & Wool New Zealand Farm InitiatedTechnology Transfer (FITT) scheme for work including the Hill CountryCropping project and SummerGreen.

Diana Baird explains the operation of the farms water system toRangitikei/Manawatu Women in Farming members

-Photo Liz Brook

Rangitikei/Manawatu Women in Farming members Photo Liz Brook

Heavy rain and cold weather didnt deter fourteen membersof the Rangitikei/Manawatu Women in Farming group from

travelling from far- ung parts of the region to attend a eld

day at Diana and Grant Bairds award winning property in the Kawhatau Valley in September.

The group toured the Bairds very successful orchard whichhas been established for over 20 years, and checked out

the pruning and picking machine.

The eld visit was also an opportunity for members to learnmore about the Bairds innovative farm water system and

their diverse sheep, beef, farm forestry and cereal cropping operation.

october 2008 rural women magazine, new zealand

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