december 2006 rural women magazine, new zealand

8/9/2019 December 2006 Rural Women Magazine, New Zealand

1/8Strengthening Rural Communities Page

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. 5 December 2006

Rural Affairs Minister visits Great Barrier

Golden Bay Bag Ladies challenge

Future Farming Roadshow

WIF Wool Handling day

in this issue...

Golden Days at MacraesFish was the last thing mid-Otago RWNZ members expectedto see when they visited the Macraes Oceana gold mine tomark World Rural Womens Day on October 16. But thoseon the tour learned that ninety percent of the water used at

the mine is recycled and is pure enough to sustain a rainbowtrout hatchery, where trout are raised and later releasedthroughout Otago.

The group travelled around the mine complex and processingplant, and were able to see trucks working in the huge opencast Frasers Pit. The mine is New Zealands largest goldproducing operation, averaging 180,000 ounces a year or $3to $5 million dollars worth of gold a week. It employs 300people, most of whom commute from Dunedin and otheroutlying areas each day. Since the current gold miningoperations began in 1990 two million ounces of gold have

been produced from the mine.

The mine now attracts 3,500 tourists a year and this aspectof its operations will become a source of income for thelocal community once mining ceases in a few years time.The company plans to leave some mining relics to showthe difference between mining 100 years ago and today. Oneobvious relic will be Frasers Pit, which, unlike other miningsites at Macraes, is not being backlled. Instead it will slowlytransform into a lake as it lls with rainwater, a process thatsexpected to take over 100 years.

Graham Wilson, Oceanas tourism development manager, toldmembers that the open cast mine was now as deep as it cango, and the companys next move is to build a tunnel to begin

underground mining at the bottom of Frasers Pit.

After the mine tour RWNZ members returned to the warmth ofthe Macraes Flat Hall where they heard from Otago RegionalCouncil senior compliance ofcer, Robin Crawford. TheORC is charged with auditing the environmental impacts ofthe mining operation which are monitored by the company.RWNZ members expressed concerns about dust generated

by the operation, and the way the mine has transformed theOtago tussock landscape. What will happen when miningnishes? they asked.

Mr Crawford told members that the mine operates under130 active resource consents and the company has paid a$20 million bond to cover any environmental mitigationwork that is required in the future. Recently sprinklersystems have been installed to overcome dust problemscaused by high winds drying out one of the holding areas,and these are working fantastically well according toGraham Wilson.

Mid-Otago Provincial President, Ellen Ramsay, said theWorld Rural Womens Day event at Macraes gold mine wasa great opportunity to demonstrate RWNZs awareness ofand concern for the environmental issues associated with

such a large scale mining operation.And theres likely to be a few more years of mining yet,given the high price of gold. The gold bearing area ofMacraes extends over 40 kilometres, of which only 20kilometres has been explored to date.

Otago Fish and Game Ofcer, Ian Hadland, demonstrates the milking oftrout roe at the hatchery, watched by RWNZ members and friends

Trucks operating at the Frasers Pit


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lThe end of the year is fast

approaching. It is once again

out with the old and in with the

new. These last few months

are always the busiest of all

and seldom do any of us have

time to look back or forward. I

thought, therefore, that it may

be appropriate for me to take a pause and reect on

the year and perhaps briey anticipate next year.

Has it been a good year? For Rural Women New

Zealand it has. We have had several notable events

the Achievement Awards, an excellent Conference

and the re-launching of the Rural Bulletin. Our

stafng situation, for the rst time in several years,

has remained constant and busy. Now, with

the arrival of our new Lillian, Sonya, we begin

to prepare for Lillians departure later next year

something which we do not anticipate with glee

but one which she regards with pleasure. Undoubtedly,

too, Jackies journalistic and networking skills have

contributed greatly towards the signicant awareness and

publicity about RWNZ. Together with Noelines talents

with promotion and Jo-Annes undoubted knowledge and

understanding of the Wellington scene RWNZ has been

well served. We must not forget, either, Lindas cheerful

presence and guardianship of our accounts.

We have continued to present submissions and comment

on issues impacting on rural although it is sometimesfrustrating that what we lobby for is not always attained

- the homecare travel issue still drags on. Here, too, the

strength, enthusiasm and dedication of the incumbent

National Council has come to the fore. All National

Councillors have at different times during the year assisted

me with various commitments and I believe that they have

gained much from these duties.

Throughout New Zealand it has often been a hard year,

especially for rural. Floods, unseasonal rains and slips, and

immense snowfalls have had a huge effect on rural New

Zealand. But, as ever, the enormous heart and strengthof rural communities has shown itself members have

done well.

So, what of next year? We will continue to promote

the need for better health services and rural medical

personnel, improved rural representation, learn more

about climate change and use of water, keep a wary eye on

rural education and generally be the social eyes and ears

of rural women. National Council and the RWNZ staff

will continue to encourage new membership and better

understanding of the organisation and its interests. There

is still much to do.

With these thoughts and reections it is now appropriate

for me to take leave of you for 2006 and send best wishes

to all members, friends and family for Christmas and 2007.

May the festive season bring you peace and pleasure.

Editorial Council mattersThe old adage, if you want something done, ask a busyperson certainly applies to Rural Women New ZealandsNational Councillors, who spend many hours promoting ourorganisation and the rural issues it is involved in.

Heres a look at what four of them have been up to in the lastcouple of months:

Region 3 councillor, Liz Evans took part in a

two-day seminar on the 10th anniversary ofthe NZ Landcare Trust. She also attended theNew Horizons Trust Awards presentation,supporting an organisation that gives secondchance education grants to women. She waskept busy during a trip to Wellington witha Fonterra presentation, Federated Farmersnational council meeting, and a consultation meeting withthe Land Access Panel. Back in her own region, she wasguest speaker at Awatere dinner groups meeting, attendedMahakipawa branchs 80th birthday celebrations along withSherrill Dackers, and attended the Nelson, Golden Bay andMarlborough AGMs.

National Finance Chair, Jacky Stafford, almostqualies as an honorary Wellingtonian as shes

been visiting the capital so often, attending theAccess Homehealth and Honda House boardmeetings, a Rural Education Reference Group(RERG) meeting and consultation with theMinistry of Education on targetted fundingfor isolation. She also met with the Charities

Commission and attended a workshop on the new charities taxregime. She was invited by Farmside to support the companyat the TUANZ Awards evening and her comments weresought by the media on a range of issues including broadband,

RERG and The Correspondence School. In her region Jackyassisted with the employment of the new Region 4 RegionalDevelopment Ofcer, Wendy McGregor, organised a weekendleadership course and attended the RCG planning meeting, aLink meeting and the World Rural Womens Day event.

Josie Gower has spent several weeks workinglong hours on the selection of the new Region4 Regional Development Officer, after anunprecedented interest in the position sawover 40 women apply for the job. The taskwas made more difcult due to the very highcalibre of many of the applicants, and Josieis delighted with the expertise and experienceWendy McGregor brings to the job.

Region six councillor, Sue Saunders, has been involved in fortnightly meetingswith the Rates Reform Coalition, a groupput together by Federated Farmers that islobbying central government for changes tothe way local government is funded, awayfrom a largely rates-based model to one thatis increasingly funded by taxpayers. Suealso attended the Environmental Roadshowand represented RWNZ on the Waikato

Agriculture Advisory Committee, which is a network of a

wide range of groups including MAF, Environment Waikato,Fonterra, farm forestry, MPs and Meat & Wool New Zealand.At the end of November she launched the Rural SupportNetwork, of which she is a founding trustee, along with threeFederated Farmers members.



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Rural Aairs Ministersisland updateLiving in a rural island paradisehas its challenges and residentsof Great Barrier Island in theHauraki Gulf took the opportunityto raise a raft of issues with RuralAffairs Minister, the Hon DamienOConnor, when he accepted aninvitation from Rural Women NewZealand to visit in October.

Mr OConnor spent a weekend on Great Barrier attendinga series of meetings. First stop was a visit with the islandshealth professionals - Mr OConnor is also Associate Ministerof Health - followed by a public forum at RWNZ AwanaBranchs Barleymans Cottage. Representatives of a widerange of groups talked about issues as diverse as affordablehousing, depopulation, lack of employment and benefitdependency, the high price of fuel, boarding bursaries, thelack of toll-free calling to Auckland and land values (and

rates) being pushed up by off-island purchasers.

Almost every issue relating to the island was voiced, saysAwana branch secretary, Merle White.

Mr OConnor suggested the community get serious aboutputting together a 10 year plan, setting out a vision for whereit wants to go. He empathised with residents wishes to stopcommercial shing in inshore waters and suggested thatgetting the whole coastline declared a marine reserve wouldachieve this. High living costs were a reality for the island,he said, but he was concerned about the fuel situation andagreed to look into it.

Meanwhile Mr OConnor has written to RWNZs nationalofce expressing his appreciation of the initiative taken by ourmembers on Great Barrier in inviting him to the island, andthe excellent organisation and friendship displayed towardshim and his staff while they were there.

The feedback received has been invaluable in ensuring I havea sound grasp of rural affairs issues, as they vary around thecountry.

Perhaps other RWNZ groups might wish to follow AwanaBranchs lead?

Welcome to our new RDOYou may not know the face,but youd probably recognisethe voice of Wendy McGregor,our new Region 4 RegionalD e v e l o p m e n t O f f i c e r .Wendy has had many yearsexperience in broadcasting,including working as ruralchief reporter for Radio NewZealand until a few years ago.She lives in Paraparaumu

with her family and will befocusing on developing new membership and promoting ourorganisation throughout the lower North Island . She will workalongside Region 4 councillor, Josie Gower, who is delightedto welcome Wendy on board, saying she will be a real asset toRural Women New Zealand.

Future FarmingRoadshow, coming toan A&P show near you!Imagine going to the supermarket, selecting your cut ofmeat or pot of yoghurt, then at a touch of a screen beingable to view details about where the product camefrom, whether the farmer uses solar panels to produce

electricity or plants trees to earn carbon credits.Region 3 councillor Liz Evans attended the launch ofthe Future Farming Roadshow at Parliament lastmonth on behalf of RWNZ. The high tech bus which isset to tour A&P shows around the country, showcasesthe impact of electronics and advanced biotechnologyon agriculture in the future, and is an initiative of theMinistry of Research, Science and Technology.

Futuristic it may be, but do we want it, or need it? Therewere words of warning from Young Farmer of the Year, JohnMcCaw, who launched the roadshow, saying it was debatablehow many constraints distant consumers should be able toimpose on farming systems. The potential for an increasinglyurbanised global population, with limited understanding ofagriculture, to dictate a farm practice half a world away isalarming, he said. How much information do consumerswant or need? Is it really desirable to get to know Daisy beforering up the barbeque? As a farmer, I have concerns about thedirection we may be headed - who is going to record all thisinformation? Who will pay for all the extra work in gatheringit? I suspect it will be the farmers.

School Trustees ElectionsSchools are now busy planning for the 2007 Trustee Elections,with nominations being called on 1 March and voting closing

on 29 March.

More than 13,000 trustees will be needed and members ofthe wider community who could make a contribution are

being encouraged to put their names forward. You dontneed to be a parent, or have a child at the school, but do needto be committed to children and education and have theskills to help a school lift student achievement. Boards haveoverall responsibility for the governance of the school and seteducational goals and strategic direction, choosing how theywant their school to develop. Ongoing training and support isoffered to trustees to help them in their role. It is important thata board reects its community as the board makes importantdecisions for their school.

Agrichemical Approved Handlercompliance date looms

On 1 January 2007 people who store and handle agrichemicalswill need an Agrichemical Approved Handler Certicate topresent to their rural retailer, in order to be able to buy a rangeof agricultural chemicals and drenches. In other cases thechemicals will be able to be purchased without a certicate, butcan only be used by someone who has completed the course.FarmSafe Project Manager, Grant Hadeld, says he expectsmany rural people are starting to panic as the deadlinelooms. But all is not lost - FarmSafe will continue to run their

certication workshops in the new year. If participantshave already completed a FarmSafe Awareness course theFarmSafe Agrichemicals/Approved Handler workshop isfree. Otherwise the cost is $50 including GST. To register call0800 545 747. For a list of the chemicals which will requirecertication for purchase or use, call 0800 376 234.



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education policy makersWhen policymakers in Wellington make decisions thatadversely affect rural schools and pupils, who are yougoing to call? The Rural Education Reference Group(RERG) would surely be a good starting point. JackyStafford, one of our national councillors, has just beenre-elected as its chairperson for an unprecedented

fourth year.The membership of RERG is a whos who of educationalorganisations, representing early childhood through totertiary, and includes teachers, unions, parents andtrustees. In all, 11 groups, including the NZ PrincipalsFederation, the NZ Area Schools Association, the NZSchool Trustees Association and Rural and SmallSchools Advisors, send along senior representativeswho have the common aim of promoting fairness

and quality in education for rural areas. RERGs diversemembership brings a smorgasbord of viewpoints to the tablewhen it meets in Wellington four times a year.

We dont always get a consensus, because we come at thingsin different ways, and thats a good thing often because it

brings out the issues, says Jacky Stafford. But the over-archingquestion for all the groups involved is how is this policy goingto affect rural children?

The autonomous organisation is increasingly used as asounding board by Ministry of Education ofcials and is alsogetting a good hearing from the Minister, Steve Maharey, whonow meets with them twice a year. Other agencies such asthe NZ Qualications Authority and ERO also speak to RERGmembers to update them on developments.

On RERGs agenda recently has been the impact of new

regulations on boarding hostels, many of which will requireupgrading as a result. Unlike other school buildings, theMinistry of Education doesnt pay for the maintenance of

boarding hostels, with upkeep and upgrading costs beingborne by schools and parents.

RERG has also looked at school housing issues, delivery ofinformation technology (ICT), school bus transport, inservicecourses, class sizes, distance learning, targeted funding forisolation and, more recently, the tender and contracting reviewand the provision of early childhood services.

There have been some positive results. ICT has come into itsown, says Jacky Stafford. A lot of rural schools, if they areusing what is available, and if they can afford it, are ahead ofsome urban schools. They use video conferencing and a lotof the ICT initiatives out there.

A perennial problem is the recruitment and retention ofteachers in rural schools, which Jacky describes as a hugeissue. How do you get teachers out there and keep themthere? And sometimes it is not good to have a teacher there fora long time either. You want to recruit and retain, but you alsoneed change, because often it is the only teacher the childrenwill have in the rst seven years of school.

Jacky is upbeat about the RERGs increasing effectiveness but

knows they have plenty of work ahead. One of the reallypositive things in the last few years has been the recognition ofRERG and what it can offer as far as looking at rural educationpolicies and delivery of education. I think there is betterrecognition of the issues facing rural that urban dont have,

but there is still a long way to go.

Waipa-King Country provincial members gave a majorfundraising boost to Freeman Court rest home in Te Awamutu,when they presented a cheque for $10,000 to the the EventideHome Trust Board recently.

The chairman, Te Awamutu mayor Alan Livingston, wasthrilled with the donation as it provided the impetus for theBoards fundraising campaign and demonstrated support froma community group.

RWNZ provincial members were pleased to support a projectthat beneted residents health and the community, withthe Freeman Court campaign satisfying both criteria. Theprovincial made the donation out of investment returns.

Raewyn Marwood (left) and Barbara Burden hand over a cheque toAlan Livingston and Mark Evans of the Eventide Home Trust Board,watched by Freeman Court manager, Elsie Anderson. Photo: TeAwamutu Courier

Magical times as snowwoes recedeTheres nothing like adversity for ring up good old fashionedcommunity spirit. And if there were any positive results tocome out of the Canterbury snow storms this winter, it wasputting people in touch with their neighbours and seeing theway people helped each other out.

In the aftermath of the snow, Anama Branch RWNZ membersseized the opportunity to organise a get-together for families inthe district. Every family was rung and invited to the local hallfor Sunday lunch, a drink and a chat. Sixty residents enjoyed

a relaxed and happy gathering, which provided a welcomebreak from feeding stock and clearing up. The children wereentertained by a magician and all agreed that a good oldfashioned district get-together was just the tonic needed to liftthe spirits and help everyone through the harsh winter.

Visiting Wellington?

Stay atHonda House

Bed and Breakfast32 Hawkestone Street, Thorndon

Tel: (04) 473 7670or go to www.ruralwomen.org

Meeting facilities, guest kitchen, laundry, lounge,

discount for RWNZ members

Resthome windall



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Golden Bay Bag LadiesRWNZ challengeIn 2005 Pakawau Branch member Nicola Basham and friendslaunched a campaign in Golden Bay to do away with plasticshopping bags, encouraging people to use cloth bags instead.Its been a huge success. In nine months, the number of plastic

bags used in Golden Bay has halved from a million a year to500,000 and Collingwood has become the rst town in NewZealand to be plastic-shopping-bag-free. The Bag Ladieshave been recognised for their efforts, winning the Heritageand Environment section of the Nelson-Tasman TrustPowerCommunity Awards.

Earlier this year Nicola Basham attended the RWNZ Region 3conference and our members enjoyed an ice-breaker activity,hand painting their own recyclable cloth bags while learningabout the plastic-bag-free campaign.

To get started, we had 1,000 cloth bags sponsored by LonestarFarms which we gave away, and then had 5,000 bags made,explains Nicola, who has also set up a cottage industryscreen printing the bags with individual logos for events ororganisations. Tasman District Council has also leant its support,purchasing bags to give away to householders and schools, andthe bags are sold in stores throughout Golden Bay.

The Golden Bay Bag Ladies have spurred other plastic-shopping-bag-free campaigns around the country and there arenow active groups in Carterton, Napier, South Eden, Greymouthand Wanaka. The group is also lobbying at a national level,to encourage the government to follow the Irish example ofestablishing a plastic bag levy, aimed at substantially reducingthe one billion bags used by New Zealanders each year, and

using the funds on environmental projects.

After a year focusing on plastic bags, Nicola is broadening herscope to look at other sustainability issues. We dont want toappear like nags, or bag police, but we are trying to encouragepeople to act differently and hoping Golden Bay will embracesome of these other issues. We will be working with theCouncil to gure out how to become a more sustainablecommunity. I hope New Zealand can move towards a greenand clean actuality. We talk about our clean green image, butit is just an image. People need to act green.

Now Nicola is throwing out a challenge to RWNZ membersaround the country: Write to national office and tell

us how you are now acting green. The writers of thethree best letters will receive three sturdy shopping bagseach, courtesy of the Golden Bay Bag Ladies. For moreinformation on setting up a bag free campaign go to www.plasticshoppingbagfree.org.nz/

Hazelburn Branch canlay claim to havingsome very talenteda n d d e d i c a t e dmembers, with fivewinning the OliveCraig Member of Excellence Award inrecent years. Picturedhere with the trophya re ( b a c k l to r )Margaret Chapman(2004), Ronalda Esler(2006), Marjorie Cross(2000), (front l to r)

Joan Phiskie (1998)and Ella McKerchar(2006).

A helping handA rural village on the banks of Lake Victoria Kenya has

beneted from the assistance of RWNZs Glenmark DinnerGroup, after members organised 11 wheelchairs to be addedto a community container being sent from North Canterburyto the village.

Its been a wonderful project for us, says Bev Forrester. Thecontainer included a tractor, plough and other agriculturalequipment as well as school furniture and much muchmore.

Jubilation asSeafeld turns 7!

A l m o s t 5 0members, pastand present, alongw i t h f r i e n d s ,

joined together tocelebrate 75 yearsof Seaeld RuralWomen recently. W e w e r eprivileged to havethe remainingt w o s e r v i n gf o u n d a t i o nmembers with us- Gerti Gregory,now in her 102ndyear, who wasour rst secretary,

and Mary Taylorthe second secretary, says Elizabeth Rankin, the

branchs current secretary.

Following on the theme from conference, Building theDream, two commemorative scholarships for Ag ITO studentsHamish White and Joanne Thorpe, were announced. Andthere were more surprises in store. Years of dedicated servicewere acknowledged when Louise Clucas was presented withlife membership by mid Canterbury vice president, MaureenMaginness.

Gerty Gregory and Mary Taylor

Winning Streak

Nicola Basham( l e f t ) a n dVictoria Davisw i t h t h e i r Heritage andEnvironmentT r u s t P o w e rC o m m u n i t y

A w a r dC e r t i f i c a t ePhoto: LloydBlythen, NelsonMail



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hlinewelcome to new membersChristine Beaton, Patricia Bletchford, Amanda

Barnes, Marie Black, Beverley Forrester, Avrill

Harrison, Mairi Hartnell, Helen Lang, Antje Vink,

Claudia Worth, Lisa Earl, Jan McKone, Judy

McMillan, Lyndsay Millar, Ruth Miles, Brenda

Murchison, Julia OSullivan, Val Norrie, Bridie

Power, Jenny Rouse, Margaret Ruck, Fi Sidey, Jenny

Smith - Glenmark Dinner Group

Debbie Anstis, Jean Schoultz, Kaye De Barr, Trisha

Waugh - Individual members

Cynthia Williams, Bell Perdiga - Kaikohe

Quentin Furlong, Peri Spence - Poatiri

Debbie Soweby - Otewa

Julie Strange, Kerla Pomeroy, Tyler Langford,

Shanelle Ward, Vanessa McLellan - Bainham

Jillian Service - Doubtless Bay

Noeleen Bolger, Susan Goble, Yvette, Green,Shevaun Taberner, Jan Hegan, Sue Chartres, Sallie

Allen, Deanna Beckett, Louise Brice, Joy Cavanagh,

Shelley Cavanagh, Carolyn Clegg, Netty Denis,

Kim Halder, Linda Heath, Nanette Lott, Fiona

MacDonald, Linda Pawsey, Annie Roska, Heather

Sinclair, Trish Smith, Jude Woolhouse - Fiordland

farewell to old friendsEvelyn Murray - Fraser Road

Margaret Lamont - Waimahaka (life member)

Phyllis Fairhall - Blenheim

Lillian Macdonald - Brightwater

Ella Watkins - Tirau

Margaret Hall (Peggy) - Aoroa

Janice Busch - Kourawhero

Edie Crawford - Yaldhurst

Lillian Falloon -Masterton

Sylvia Jones - Thames Valley Provincial

Zada Stirling, Alice Kennedy - Waimahaka

May They Rest in Peace

honours board

Branch bar of honourNancy Macfarlane - Tatuanui

Life Membership

June Pullin, Patricia Williams, Betty Belcher, PhyllisWilton, Nancy Rayner - Masterton

Juliana OConell, Nancy Somerville - WaimahakaBranch

Community support ollowslast hurrah or rural brasOtago residents recently decided that the infamous Cardronabra fence was less than uplifting - an eyesore even - and hadto come down. The demise of the local landmark was markedwith a bra decoration competition held as part of Wanakafest.The event provided hours of entertainment for groups ofwomen around Central Otago, with funds raised going to

breast cancer research.

Cambrians-St Bathans RWNZ group supported the event withseveral imaginative entries. We had lots of laughs creatingand naming our masterpieces, says branch secretary GillNaylor. And it was all for a really good cause too.

Top left Hey I was sleeping, top right Friesian Mystic, 2nd down,The Nipple Tickler, 3rd down Ewes 2 and 4th down Titi Cloak.Pictured are Pip and Harry (3) Gillespie casting their vote for theirfavourite bra. Photo Poppy Shallard Central Otago News

National Conerence 007A team of Region Five women are working behind the scenes

busily organising our next national conference to be heldin Rotorua from 14-17 May next year. The theme of theconference is Using the Past to Create the Future

In late January or early February branches and individualmembers will receive copies of the Programme and we hopemany of you will be keen to register.

Wellington ExperienceIn February we will again be hosting provincial and branchofcer holders from around the country at the WellingtonExperience, a personal development skills opportunity forRWNZs future leaders, which is generously sponsored byLandcorp.

The women who are selected will gain rst hand experience ofRWNZ national ofce activities, meet Members of Parliamentand visit government departments for briengs on legislationand policies impacting on rural communities.

Those who come to the Wellington Experience are encouragedto have a project in mind that would benet from the leadership

skills they gain. Last years participant, Dorothy Hay, wroteto tell us about her project - a very successful Fashion Paradeshe organised in October for Southland Provincial, which wasattended more than 90 women and raised $500 for provincialfunds.


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Flowers bring cheer to 7thAlbury branch members celebrated their 75thanniversary this spring, combining the event withtheir annual flower show. The beautiful flowersreected the resilience of members, after a severewinter followed by damaging winds.

Members Marian Burt, Leanne Fitzpatrick, Mel Guerin

and Mary Ross, who was the overall winner of the show

Rural lives in print and picturesTwo beautiful large format books on New Zealand rural lifewould make great reading this Christmas for anyone with aninterest in farming or with the country at heart.

The Farming of New Zealand byGordon McLauchlan is so muchmore than a coffee table book,though its pictures are certainly

fascinating. Packed with historical black and white photos as well ascolour images by Ian Baker, the booktells the story of where rural NewZealand has come from and wherewe are today. It is a celebration ofthe hard working men and womeninvolved in the industry that keeps

our nation economically aoat, and reveals the skills andentrepreneurship that makes our farmers respected aroundthe world. It is a history of human endeavour on the land,from pre-European agriculture through to modern hi-techrural enterprises. The book is published by Penguin andretails at $65.

Farm - The Spirit of Rural NewZealand is the work of authorVaughan Yarwood and leadinglandscape photographer, ArnoGasteiger, whose stunning photoscapture the pairs journey as theytravelled through New Zealandto discover the stories behind adiverse range of farming familiesand their properties, from Waikatodairy farmers to Canterburycroppers, iwi-based farmers on

the East Coast to Southland sheep farmers. The history ofthe nine farms and the families that work them reect theissues that preoccupy New Zealand farmers throughout thecountry - productivity, exports, land access, environmentalissues, innovation and diversication. Farm illustrates howfar farming has come and covers the sweep of farming history,while highlighting concerns for the future. It is published byRandom House New Zealand and retails for $69.99. We haveone copy of this book to give away. To go in the draw pleasesend an envelope with your name and address on the back,addressed to Farm book competition by 16 January 2007.

Its hard to imagine New Zealand

without sheep. Theyve propped upour economy, enriched our languageas well as the table, been the subject ofcountless jokes and more recently have

become the stuff of high fashion. Nowyou can ruminate on all that sheepmean to us with the publication of apocket-sized book that celebrates ourwoolly companions. A Short History ofSheep in New Zealand by Richard Wolfeis crammed with everything you ever

wanted to know about our cloven-footed friends - their originsand how they came to be so important to New Zealanders,along with sheep trivia and facts, strange but true stories,sheep breeds, preserving and exporting meat, shearing andmuch more. The book is also published by Random HouseNew Zealand and retails for $29.99.

Plunket and MaternityServices surveyRural Women New Zealand has a strong track record inensuring women and children in rural areas receive the healthservices they are entitled to. There have been increases infunding for rural health in recent years, but we are keen toknow more about the services rural communities actuallyreceive and to ensure any gaps are brought to the attention

of providers.Plunket is contracted by government to undertake regularWell Child Health Assessments. Currently there are eight ofthese checks, scheduled when a child is 2-6 weeks, 7-10 weeks,3 months, 5 months, 9 months, 15 months, 2 years and 3 years.The rst two visits are usually in the home, but it is normalto be invited to a clinic as baby gets a little older. Problemsin the delivery of the Plunket service in one area of the SouthIsland have been brought to our attention. We need to knowif this is reected in other rural areas. Are families near youreceiving these checks for their little ones?

Meanwhile a growing number of GPs are planning to opt

out of government funding for pregnant patients and settheir own fees instead. Doctors are frustrated at the fundingsystem for maternity care, sometimes referred to as the Section88 Maternity Notice, which is a contract between doctors,midwives and the Ministry of Health. GPs who sign up tothe agreement dont charge their patients a fee, but receive$33 from the Government for each visit of a pregnant woman,which is only half of the usual consultation fee of around $60.This acts as a disincentive for GPs to look after maternitypatients, and some are opting out of the scheme so that theycan charge their usual consultation fees. While urban womenmay be able to shop around to nd a GP on the scheme, andthus receive free consultations, rural women dont always

have that choice. Again wed like to know whats happeningin your area.

Please write to Noeline Holt, our EO, with any informationyou can supply. Or email [email protected].


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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 Ofce, PO Box 12021 Wellington Printer: Precise Print & Design, Paraparaumu

Cold wind and sleet didnt deter a large group of women

from Raetihi to Colyton who visited the farm of Bunny

and Kristin Gorringe on the Kawhatau Valley Road,

south of Taihape recently.

The Manawatu/Rangitikei Women in Farming group

members rode over the 700 hectare farm which stretches

for eight kilometres along the Kawhatau River, and has

been farmed by the Gorringe family since 1904. From

the top is spectacular scenery, high above the river, with

views of the Ruahine Ranges. To the north are the hills

of Motukawa, which were covered with a fresh fall of

snow on the day we visited.

Lambing was well underway, with plenty of twins on the

ground, many a good size. Bunny told the WIF group

that the farm had been assembled from a number of

160 acre blocks, originally designated as ballot blocks.

With improved fencing and judicious use of wethers to

clean up the country, the Gorringes have improved the

pasture quality and productivity. They now run hardy

Perendale ewes, which manage to survive well on thiscountry.

Their mothering ability is great and they dont need

pampering, says Kristin Gorringe. Their wool, because

of its bulk, is in demand especially from the carpet

industry.

This year the Gorringes were awarded the Peren Cup,

in recognition of their outstanding achievement with

their Perendales. They now carry a breeding ock of

4,000 ewes, 1,300 ewe hoggets, 3-400 cull wether and

Kristin Gorringe (left) and Pam Peters discuss the wool clip

Never t oo y o u n g t olearn - MaliS w a n n e yand her sonRory

Wool handling day provides ood or thought - by Phyllis Leigh

ewe hoggets, 160 cows, 215 yearling cattle and 120 twoyear cattle, as well as rams and bulls.

Back at the shearers quarters, Peter Rix of Wrightsons

spoke to the group about the importance of correct

preparation of the wool clip to maximise returns,

outlining the problems end users meet when wool

handlers fail to remove bellies and pieces, wigs, pizzle

stain, seeds and thistles.

When it comes to shearing time at the Gorringe shed,

Peter instructs the shearers and shed hands on how he

wants the job done. Some have remarked he is the rstperson to actually explain what the buyer wants and the

reasons for doing it.

Peters talk inspired some vigorous discussion on the

practice of once a year shearing versus second shearing,

the practice of leaving on bellies, faces and sox, selling

at auction versus selling in the shed and the hoped-for

increased price for ensuring a properly prepared clip

compared with the increased labour costs of doing the

job properly.

women in arming

december 2006 rural women magazine, new zealand

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