in this issue...
• Challenges in homecare
• DHB voting
• Queen’s Service Medal recipients
• Planting for erosion control
OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF RURAL WOMEN NEW
Rural homecare
– can i t g o the d i s ta n c e ?
Photo by Jeanette Hicks
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) has traditionally
been the only dedicated provider of homecare
services to the rural sector. Since homecare providers
are not adequately funded by Government to cover
travel costs, the rural service is now running on empty.
RWNZ has been active in providing homecare services since 1929.
Following changes in funding structures five years ago, this
nationwide service became Access Homehealth (AHH). Still
wholly owned by RWNZ, AHH is one of the largest homecare
providers in New Zealand. Every year, AHH squeezes its budget
to service areas that no-one else will go near.
Homecare service providers, such as AHH, work under contract
to District Health Boards (DHBs), ACC and the Ministry of
Health. The level of funding provided under these contracts does
not allow for reimbursing costs associated with travel. How can
the Government expect to provide a home-based care service when
they are not prepared to recognise the need for travel costs?
Despite the importance of home-based support in New Zealand,
homecare service providers are struggling to maintain sufficient
staff to handle demand. This problem is largely caused by the
lack of funding allocated for mileage. This means that homecarers
are often required to subsidise their own running costs, effectively
bringing their income below the minimum wage. Each time there
is an increase in petrol prices, homecare providers experience a
wave of resignations.
Strengthening Rural Communities
ZEALAND • ISSUE N o . 4, August 2 0 0 4
In few other professions would workers be expected to pay
for the travel they undertake as part of their job. For workers
in rural areas the problem is exacerbated, due to the larger
distances covered. This situation makes a mockery of the
Government’s stated commitment to maintaining homecare
services for rural communities. In the Health of Older
People Strategy (April) they undertake to “promote working
conditions that support the development and retention of
appropriately trained staff, particularly in rural areas.”
RWNZ and the New Zealand Home Health Association
have brought this problem to the attention of all the relevant
Ministers to no avail.
Eighteen months ago, the Government embarked on a
research project into homecare. Despite this apparent
research, they still have little idea on the numbers of
homecare workers, payrates, or type and quality of workers
yet they are still expecting homecare providers to operate
with an unrealistic level of funding.
RWNZ has not been included in any consultation related to this
research, as either a consumer group or a service provider – an
oversight which has since been acknowledged by the Minister,
Ruth Dyson. This research project is due to finish at the end of
December, so RWNZ is now seeking involvement to represent
rural issues around mileage, pay equity and training that all form
part of the equation.
All homecare providers, not just AHH, are concerned that if the
current problems are not adequately recognised by the time DHB
contracts are renewed in October, homecare services could
become impossible to sustain. Even for non-profit organisations
like AHH, additional costs imposed by the Holidays Act, other
legislation, and increased petrol prices cannot be absorbed
indefinitely without extra funding to compensate.
RWNZ is deeply concerned that the ongoing availability of
homecare service is now seriously threatened by the shortage of
support workers. Provider organisations are now declining
referrals, since they do not have enough staff to undertake the
required level of support in a safe manner.
Ultimately, a homecare system can only exist if service providers
are adequately funded and their workers are fairly paid. Without
this service, people who are injured, sick, elderly or disabled may
well be left to fend for themselves - no matter where they live.
Page 1
editorial by Sherrill Dackers, National President
Every month, when I
am home, I traipse off
to attend our branch
meeting for a chat
with old friends and a
chance to discuss
recent issues in the
district and in the
wider world. I
wonder how many of
you do the same. It’s
like a comfort
blanket, isn’t it?
Something to hold on tight to in this changing world.
A reassuring habit.
Another precious habit shared by us all is Homecare.
It’s rather like our baby – we’ve nourished and
cherished it until ‘like topsy’ it has grown into a thriving
industry. Only thing is, it is not thriving at the moment.
In fact it is in grave danger! Our baby, Access Homehealth Ltd -
along with all other Homecare providers in New Zealand - is
currently struggling under the burden of inadequate government
funding.
Carers are difficult to recruit let alone to retain – who wants to
work for approximately $6.00 net an hour, even if it gives such
great satisfaction to help others?
For workers, there are low wages, low esteem, no travel
reimbursements, the need for increased training and qualifications.
On the business side, there are now the additional expenses and
problems caused by the recently introduced Holidays Act. All
these factors are endangering the work and future viability of the
Homecare Industry.
The majority of carers are women, and as women we need to
ensure that we strive for better recognition and payment for our
workers. This is a valuable industry with a great demand for
assistance and workers, particularly as it is the Government’s
policy to keep the aged and needy in their own homes as long as
possible. To maintain this we must recognise the work and efforts
of the carers, and the importance of satisfactory payment for work
well done. Access Homehealth and other providers are now having
to turn away referrals and clients because they are no longer able
to maintain adequate support.
Our National Councillors have embarked on a campaign to lobby
the powers that be, and to talk with influential people to redress
this appalling situation. You can help us by reading the article on
the front page, acquainting yourselves with the facts, and sharing
our concerns.
We have a job to do. Homecare is more than just our ‘baby’ and
our wonderful ‘habit’, it is a vital component of New Zealand’s
health care system. We must fight for it.
Page 2
C onfessions
of a Rural Woman
I often wonder what I would do if my house caught on fire.
In the time it would take for a fire engine to arrive, the whole
place would be a smouldering heap of embers. On the one
occasion that I inadvertently summoned the fire brigade, it
was a salutary reminder of rural vulnerability.
One day I was running errands in town and filled the LPG
tank in my Hilux before heading home. Upon arriving back
at the farm, I opened the canopy to unload my groceries
only to be met with a lungful of gas. After clambering past
the baked beans and jellimeat, I confirmed that the LPG tank
was leaking, so rang the AA for advice.
“Don’t get in the vehicle under any circumstances,” they
said.
“Too late, I’ve just driven it for miles,” I answered.
“Ring 111,” they responded unequivocally.
“But nothing is on fire.”
“Ring the fire brigade anyway,” they insisted. “These things
can explode.”
Reluctant to create a fuss, but equally reluctant to get blown
into orbit, I dialed 111 and apologetically explained the
situation. The emergency call centre concurred with the AA’s
view and dispatched an “appliance”, despite the fact that
there wasn’t a flame or a charred body in sight.
I dutifully followed instructions to stay well clear of the
offending leak, and had a cup of tea while reflecting on my
good-fortune at still being alive. Meanwhile, the cats climbed
into the back of the ute and were scavenging their way
through the grocery bags.
Forty minutes later a stunningly loud fire engine came
wailing down the drive and disgorged an army of firemen in
silver suits. This succeeded in scaring the cats away, thereby
alleviating one crisis at least, by freeing the remains of my
groceries.
Within minutes, a silver-clad fireman had investigated the
leak and shut it off with the tweak of a spanner. Feeling
rather sheepish, I muttered my apologies for the anti-
climactic nature of the emergency. As they made noises of
reassurance, a second fire-engine roared onto the scene,
followed by a spectator fleet of neighbours and the
Hazardous Substances Inspector from the District Council.
I felt like slinking into the shadows with my cats.
Eventually the crowd dispersed and the fire engines rumbled
away, leaving me with a sense of both reassurance and
disquiet. While there was no disputing their commitment to
respond, the time-factor was sobering and inescapable. It’s
just a shame that most emergencies, unlike my own, don’t
allow the luxury of dialing 111 before they actually happen.
Margaret Richardson
Strengthening Rural Communities

na ti o n a l o ff i c e a c t i vi t i es
Rural Women New Zealand is persuing the following issues:
Education
• How can slips, trips and falls be avoided in the milking shed?
Health
• Dental health services - where are children missing out?
• Homecare funding shortfall - see front page story.
Social
• Flood fund set up to help families in the Bay of Plenty.
• Rural telecommunication networks are unreliable.
• Pay parity - equal pay for an equal day’s work.
Land
• Biosecurity - how secure are New Zealand borders against
biosecurity incursions?
• Land access - Government proposes to allow access along
named streams and creeks where they provide a means of
reaching public land.
submissions
Rural Women New Zealand has recently made the following
submissions (See www.ruralwomen.org for details):
• Cartagena Biosafety Protocol.
• “Making a bigger difference for all students”.
• Early childhood education discussion paper.
publicity
National Media releases - see www.ruralwomen.org
• “Government turn their back on rural affairs,” 17 June.
• “Rural Women New Zealand appoints new President,” 10
June.
• “Rural Women fund training for homecare workers,” 8 June.
• “Rural Women concerned over growing gaps in early
childhood education,” 4 June.
Strengthening Rural Communities
issues
rapid response numbers
Emergency services personnel sometimes have trouble
getting to where they are needed. Ambulance officers
say they often have difficulty locating patients in rural
areas. Winter, with its long hours of darkness, makes
the ongoing problem worse.
Several years ago, RWNZ was behind a campaign to
implement rapid response numbers for rural properties.
These numbers, which provide a location for every
home by indicating its distance from the start of the
road, are very effective when properly displayed. The
St John Ambulance Association urges homeowners to
ensure their numbers are clearly visible from the road
and, if possible, nominate someone to wave down the
ambulance when it arrives.
When dialing 111, it is important for rural people to be explicit
with directions, since call centre operators do not have the benefit
of local knowledge. Rural delivery addresses often do not reflect
the actual location of the property, so it is important to advise call
centre staff of your nearest town. For people in the back-blocks,
it can help to know the GPS coordinates for your homestead and
indicate if there is a flat paddock close-by for a helicopter to land.
In the heat of an emergency, the mind can go blank when making
a 111 call. RWNZ is distributing printed cards for listing key
information that can be kept next to the phone at all times.
vot e r u ral
Rural voters need to get in behind rural candidates to ensure their
voice is heard on District Health Boards.
Dr Bruce Anderson, the Ministry of Health’s Governance
manager, says there are two key aspects of enabling representation
from minority groups such as the rural community or Maori and
Pacific people. “Firstly these groups need to put forward strong
candidates but equally as important their communities need to
support these candidates.”
Nominations for the elections closed on August 20, and voting
packs will be sent out from September 17.
For the first time DHB elections will use Single Transferable
Voting (STV) which many rural people will be familiar with as it
is the voting system used in Fonterra elections. Under STV, voters
rank candidates in order of preference by putting a number beside
names instead of a tick.
For example, if a voter likes person A best, they would put a ‘1’
beside person A’s name. If the voter likes person B next, they
would put a ‘2’ beside person B’s name, and so on. You can rank
as many or as few candidates as you like.
This year’s DHB elections will also be held ‘at-large’. This means
all votes cast in a district will contribute to electing all seven
elected board members. In the 2001 elections voters could only
vote for a limited number of candidates on a constituency (ward)
basis.
Postal voting closes at midday on October 9.
For more information call toll free on 0508 9 10 2004 or see
www.moh.govt.nz/dhbelections
Page 3
feature t h e car ing
tradition
Since the earliest days of Womens’
Division Federated Farmers (WDFF),
rural women have been active
providers of homecare services. To
this day, the tradition of involvement
in different forms of health care
support is continued by RWNZ
members throughout New Zealand.
Forty years ago, women in the Franklin
District identified the need for a geriatric
hospital in the area. Two WDFF members,
Frances Miller and Grace Alexander,
conducted a survey to convince authorities
of the need for this facility. They
canvassed all the voluntary organisations
in the area and gained enough support to initiate the
construction of a geriatric wing on the existing maternity hospital
at Pukekohe.
With this project as their major focus, a formal committee was
established, including WDFF members, a hospital board member,
and other community representatives. After the new geriatric
hospital was completed, the committee continued to serve as an
effective advocacy group between consumers and the health
service authorities on a range of issues.
In the early 1990’s, the committee found themselves fighting to
save the hospital that they had established 30 years earlier. When
the possible closure was announced, the committee staged a public
meeting that attracted over 1200 people. A dedicated action group
was set up specifically to lobby for the hospital’s survival and the
battle was eventually won. The geriatric wing continues to provide
a valuable service to elderly people in the District and has been
consistently rated by the DHB as a high-performance facility.
Since its early beginnings in 1964, the committee has always had
RWNZ members as both chair and secretary. The current chair is
Marie Appleton, Region 7 Councillor, and the secretary is Judith
Pellow, President of Franklin District Rural Women. Their
presence ensures that the rural perspective is always given a strong
Photo courtesy Franklin County News
Franklin Community Care Committee secretary, Judith Pellow (at
left) with chair Marie Appleton (RWNZ National Councillor).
Page 4
Committee co-founders, Frances
Miller, pictured above at left,
and Grace Alexander, pictured
at right.
(Photos kindly supplied by Ernie
Alexander.)
voice in health-care decisions that
affect the community.
Despite its proximity to Auckland, the Franklin District has a
large rural component. It extends from coast to coast, and from
Pokeno in the south to the urban flanks of Papakura to the north,
including the Bombay Hills. The District shares many of the same
challenges as other rural areas throughout the country. Marie
Appleton says a strong advocacy group is still required to ensure
that the health needs of Franklin residents are met. “We have
gained a good level of health service in our District over the years,
and it requires a constant effort to maintain, let alone increase,
this service.”
The group is now an incorporated society known as the “Franklin
Community Care Committee”. It is recognised by the Counties
Manukau DHB as an effective interface between management
structures and the public. The committee holds regular forums
for discussion, with faithful attendants representing a wide
network in the community.
The committee regularly presents submissions and feels they have
direct input into local decisions. Marie believes that their
effectiveness lies in continuity, trust, and their ability to maintain
long-term relationships with key decision makers in the area.
As the health care system has undergone various restructuring
processes in recent years, the Franklin Community Care
Committee has evolved to work within different structures.
Through all this change its fundamental purpose remains the same.
Rural women have consistently proven themselves to be valuable
players in community forums, with their organisational skills,
practical perspective, and caring hearts.
Strengthening Rural Communities
 our people
r ural women of old Queen’s Service Awards
“Wouldn’t it be amazing if you could talk to your
first woman ancestor that landed in New Zealand.” Kath McKenzie joined
RWNZ (then WDFF) at the
This intriguing idea set Caroline Fitzgerald on an odyssey
age of 12. Following in her
through the remnants of her great-grandmother’s writing desk.
mother’s footsteps, she has

Photo courtesy Nelson Mail

What she uncovered was a valuable collection of letters that
been an active member ever
provides a unique glimpse into the life of an early woman
since. In this year’s Queen’s
settler.
Birthday honours, Kath was
Caroline’s great-grandmother was Marianne Williams, wife awarded a Queen’s Service
of the first missionary to be posted in New Zealand. In 1822 Medal (QSM) for her
Henry Williams, Marianne, and their three young children left contribution to the Takaka
England, bound for the Bay of Islands. A year later, they community. In 2001, Kath
arrived at a remote one-house settlement – the Church received a Tasman District Council community award
Missionary Society mission station headquarters. Surrounded for her work in a range of voluntary organisations.
by warring Maori tribes and unruly whaling crews, they lived
and worked under the watchful eye of Hongi Hika, the local Esther Croft is 82 years of
Nga Puhi chief. age and still actively
involved in Otago’s Waitaki
With a growing family of 11 children, the Williams’ remained
Valley community. Her
in the Bay of Islands for the next 30 years, running the mission
enthusiasm for voluntary
station and schools. They saw the signing of the Treaty of
work stems from a genuine
Waitangi, and played host to explorers, such as Charles
interest in people and a
Darwin. It was a time of enormous social change for the
strong belief in the importance of
country, and of great personal challenge for Marianne
community. Esther received a
Williams. Her experiences are told in the letters she sent home
Queen’s Service Medal for her
to her family in England.
services to numerous organisations including the Waitaki Collie
This collection of letters remained in a family cupboard until Club, Presbyterian Parish, St John Ambulance Association,
Caroline began to take an interest three generations later. The RSA, Red Cross and, of course, Rural Women New Zealand.
Christchurch-born journalist was 26-years old when she
started to read through them and develop an appreciation of
the history that they contained. At a time when Caroline was
asking huge questions in her own life, she found guidance in
the wisdom and experience of her great-grandmother’s words,
who was around the same age when she wrote them.
Eventually Caroline began to compile the letters and edit them
into publishable form, driven by a sense that Marianne was
by her side, wanting the story to be told. “At times I have felt
very close to her, as if she was talking to me,” says Caroline,
who is eternally grateful that the letters were kept and valued
by family members over the years.
no time like the present
Caroline Fitzgerald’s
A memorable birthday present enabled RWNZ members Enid
book, “Letters from the
O’Brien and Olive Millar to prove that it’s never too late to
Bay of Islands”, released
take the plunge. The twin sisters celebrated their 80th birthday
by Penguin Books, is now with a tandem parachute jump in the skies above Rotorua.
available in bookstores. To
go in the draw to win a free Enid says that she has always fancied the idea of skydiving,
and is glad to have done it at last. “You can’t keep putting
copy of this fascinating
things off or you might never do them,” she smiles.
story, write your name and
address on the back of an
envelope and send to:
Twin sisters, Enid
The Editor, Rural Women O’Brien (Elstow
Magazine, PO Box 12- Branch - Piako
021, Wellington. Waikato) and
Olive Millar
The draw will be made on (Rerewhakaaitu
September 30 th. Branch - Rotorua).

Strengthening Rural Communities Page 5

branchline welcome to new friends rural women
Albury: Pat Hadfield. get crafty
Associate: Angelique Tucker (Rerewhakaaitu -
RWNZ members throughout New Zealand have long been
Rotorua)
involved in creative projects for fund raising, community service
Capital: Jo-Anne Stokes, Margaret Richardson, Jay and personal development. Below are a few examples of craft-
Matthes. related activities.
Individual: Irene Edwards (Okaihau - Northland),
Philippa Sturt (Waipu - Northland), Sue Stoddart
(Temuka - Canterbury), Susan Finlayson
(Featherston - Wairarapa).
Kourawhero: Joan Christie, Joy Green, Gillian
Keane, Sally Meiklejohn.
Macraes Flat: Kay Gray.
Tahuna: Val Tarver-Utting.

farewell to old friends

Alexandra: Mabel Hopper, Lille Barton, Nola
Harrex.
Dunedin: Violet Mathewson.
Masterton: Mary Neligan.
Poatiri: Jacki Mattson. Bushlands Rural Women in Waihi completed a project to make
and assemble parcels of baby and toddler clothing and bedding
Puketi: Beth Geddes.
to be given to needy families in the area. Articles were either
Waipapa-Kerikeri: Margaret Galbraith, Mavis Brown. made or purchased by the branch. Packs were given to local
Waitui: Charm Lyon, Elsie Allan. midwives and Plunket for distribution. Many other branches
around the country provide a similar service.
May They Rest in Peace

honours board Members of Greymouth Branch

Branch Life Membership with knitted bears donated to St
Johns Ambulance for children to
Oruanui-Taupo: Valerie Steiner. take to hospital with them.
Roxburgh: Lorna Tubman. Clockwise from left: Joan Begg,
Stoke: Elva Barker, Ngaire Illsley. Pita Stewart, Majorie McLennan,
Doreen Whitmore, Edna Muir.
Branch Bar of Honour
Oruanui-Taupo: Wyn Norgate.
Poatiri: Jacki Mattson.
Below: Paterangi branch
Takaka: Margaret Powell. members (Waikato) enjoyed art
Provincial Bar of Honour classes under the tutelage of
Diana Smith (at right). Diana is
North Taranaki: Elma Honeyfield, Margaret Emo, Joan
one of three exhibiting artists in
Blackbourn. the branch.
Lorna Tubman from
Roxburgh receives Branch
Life Membership

other activities
The Stoke Branch celebrated its 70th Birthday in April,
with over 60 people in attendance. A restaurant dinner
was followed by an award ceremony. Members
recognised for “Service Simply Given” were Faye
Lowe, Zita Mason, Jesta Remnant and May Smaill.

Page 6 Strengthening Rural Communities


For years, Doubtless Bay Rural Women
have lovingly produced knitted goods
for people in need. Singlets and booties
for premature babies are in huge
demand by hospitals, because parents
are frequently unprepared when baby
arrives early.
the wo r m’s t u r n
Albury Branch members (South Canterbury) were given a
demonstration on how to produce a worm farm using recycled
materials (kitchen scraps, tyres, newspaper, old carpet, iron and
plastic lids). Worms provide a natural disposal system for a range
of organic waste including paper, vacuum dust, food scraps and
garden clippings. As a waste management resource, they are
virtually untapped.
Wormfarming is a method of composting, whereby worms are
used to make an especially rich kind of compost called vermicast.
Unlike a normal compost bin, the contents are not allowed to get
too hot, so weeds and grass clippings are generally kept out of
the bin. Wormbins can be made easily from timber, tyres, or even
an old bathtub. The two worm species commonly used in the bin
are the Manure Worm (Eisenia fetida) and the Red Worm
(Lumbricus rubellus).
The Albury demonstration was given by former member, Trish
Woods, who is now the Waste Education Officer for the
Mackenzie District Council. The worms were kindly donated by
a local worm farmer, Neville Smith.
Members enjoy a sing-along at Ashley Clinton Branch’s 50th
Anniversary celebration.They are confident that their enthusiasm
and camaraderie will keep them going for another 50 years.
Strengthening Rural Communities
noticeboard
B O P flood fu nd
RWNZ has established a new Flood Fund for the Bay
of Plenty region. This contains $5,000 from the
Community Fund as a base donation. Any Branch or
Provincial wanting to contribute can send a cheque
to Jay Matthes, in the National Office.
Those affected by the floods who wish to apply for
emergency relief, contact Tini Wetting on (07) 308
8975 or write to her at 17 Martin Place, Whakatane,
or email wettingt@e3.net.nz
be e f and lam b d e m os
A series of Cooking Demonstrations are now
underway around the country, courtesy of the Beef
and Lamb Marketing Bureau. For details of a
demonstration near you, contact your Regional
Councillor or see the calendar of events on
www.ruralwomen.org.
women in business seminars
Dates are now being confirmed for Westpac Women
in Business seminars. These are tailored for people
running home-based and agricultural businesses.
Contact your Regional Councillor or visit
www.ruralwomen.org.
2 0 0 3 ye ar book
The 2003 Yearbook has now been
released. The concept for the striking cover
design came from Irma van der Linden of
Picton. Her idea, presented as an entry in
the Yearbook Cover Competition, was
adapted using RWNZ members.
Irma emigrated from Holland in 1989 and settled with her
husband in West Auckland. Their long-term goal was to buy
a piece of land in the South Island and semi-retire there. This
dream was realised when they purchased a section at St Omer,
Kenepuru Sounds. Irma is now establishing a home-based
business, offering desktop publishing and design services -
email habitation@orcon.net.nz
Page 7

putting down roots
The Women in Farming group at Black Rock in Wairarapa held a
seminar to discuss tree planting for sustainable land management
and erosion control. The relevance of these issues has been brought
home to farmers this year, as flooding continues to occur in many
areas.
Aspects covered at Black Rock included the retirement and/or
management of waterways, shelterbelt planting in exposed areas,
and pole planting on erosion-prone hill country.
For broadscale erosional control, pines and other exotics species
are often most appropriate as their establishment and growth is
much quicker than natives.
Pole planting is very effective as a means of soil erosion control.
In erosion prone hillsides in the Wairarapa, 70% of pole planting
is in poplars. There are now over 16 different varieties available
on the market. They are chosen for a number of reasons including
longevity, fodder and wind run. It is recommended that a variety
of poles be planted to reduce the risk of one variety not being
suited to a particular environment.
RDOs pictured from left at back: Lynley Dean - Southland, Cynthia Hancox - West Coast, Pat Macauley - Otago, Jocelyn Simpson - Bay
of Plenty, Heather Sorenson - Marlborough. At front: Shelley Deeming - Northland, Deirdre Lusby - Nelson, Claire Cole - Manawatu/
Rangitikei, Sue Halse - Canterbury and Rae Newman - Northland.
Official Journal of Rural Women New Zealand • PO Box 12021, Wellington
Email enquiries@ruralwomen.org.nz • www.ruralwomen.org
Editor: Head Office, PO Box 12021 Wellington
Page 8
Planting of poles is most effective along the natural curves of
hills in order to prevent slipping. They are not recommended for
exposed areas of hill with high wind runs. The most effective
planting for erosional control is 60-100 stems/ha with poles 3 m
in height. At this height and age of pole, no cattle restrictions are
necessary.
In many regions, grants are available which provide 25-45%
funding, depending on the reason for planting. Funds are also
available to assist the retirement of riparian areas, native trees
and wetland areas.
For landowners wanting to retire or rejuvenate native bush areas,
ongoing weed and pest control is an important consideration in
the short to medium term. Mulch, release spraying or tyres are
good to stop the grass from shading or smothering the new plants.
The decision to plant exotic versus native species is dependant
on the land owner’s objectives. Financially, radiata pine is much
cheaper to plant ($1500/ha) than native trees ($10 000/ha) Pine
woodlots are also tax deductible whereas costs associated with
natives can only be claimed up to a value of $7500.
With the deterioration of water quality in New Zealand, the fencing
off and retirement of riparian areas (waterways, rivers and creeks)
is becoming more of a priority. This creates buffer areas to catch
and diffuse nitrates and other runoffs into the waterways.
Anyone wishing to retire land and conduct planting is advised to
seek expert advise from your regional council.
This information was extracted from the Women in Farming Black
Rock newsletter by Karen Loffler. For more information see
www.ruralwomen.org
r e g i o n a l wo m e n
go national
Regional development officers (RDOs) of RWNZ recently attended
a national training exercise in Wellington. Sponsored by Landcorp,
the event was held to support women in their regional activities.
The RDOs spent three days in the Capital attending workshops
and visiting organisations that can contribute to rural initiatives.
These 10 women, from throughout the country, bring a wide range
of skills, professional experience, and enthusiasm to RWNZ.
Rae Newman, the longest serving RDO, uses her journalism
experience to assist the organisation in gaining publicity. Her
Northland colleague, Shelley Deeming, has been instrumental in
establishing the region’s Women in AgriBusiness groups, while
Heather Sorenson of Marlborough has contributed her interest
and expertise in strategic planning.
• Tel 04 473 5524 • Fax 04 472 8946
• ISSN no 1171-4425
• Printer: Precise Print & Design, Paraparaumu
Strengthening Rural Communities