Awards open for rural women in enterprise

Wendy McGowan, National President, Rural Women New Zealand.

Women who run their own rural businesses have the opportunity to showcase their innovative rural enterprise and gain recognition for their achievements in the the Enterprising Rural Women Awards (ERWA).

The categories include Emerging Enterprising Rural Woman Award (inspiring business or community leader), Innovative Enterprising Rural Woman Award (use of new technology and adapting to rural location) and Entrepreneurial Enterprising Rural Woman Award (business success in horticulture, agricultural, dairy, tourism or rural sector).

Each category winner receives $1000 in prize money and a trophy, with a further $1000 awarded to the supreme winner judged as an outstanding rural businesswomen.

To enter, women have to own and operate a small business with fewer than 10 full-time equivalent staff, based in a rural area. The business must have been running for at least two years. If in partnership, women must be an active partner of 50 per cent or more in the business.

Joanne Taylor, winner of last year's supreme award is encouraging rural women to "just do it" and enter.

"It makes you look at all aspects of your business, from where you started, the journey of your business and seeing how far you have come. The support you get from the many people within Rural Women New Zealand is fantastic."

Wendy McGowan, National President, Rural Women New Zealand said they are looking forward to hearing from many "amazing businesswomen" and hearing about their achievements and how they have contributed to their rural community.

- Visit www.ruralwomen.org.nz. Entries close next Wednesday August 31.