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Exciting entries in RWNZ Enterprising Rural Women Award 2010

Rural Women New Zealand is delighted with the quality of entries in its Enterprising Rural Women Award 2010, which closed recently.

"The entries reflect the resilience of rural women entrepreneurs, who are continuing to grow their businesses by looking for new markets and new ways of working in these challenging economic times," says Rural Women New Zealand national president, Margaret Chapman.

Many of the businesses are embracing internet technology and social networking to market their products both in New Zealand and overseas.

"Increasingly we operate in a global market, and this underscores the urgent need to improve rural broadband access to ensure these businesses have the tools they need to operate competitively."

Another recurring theme among the award entries is a passion for making better use of New Zealand's high quality raw materials, such as merino wool, and the desire to support and retain onshore manufacturing.

"Many of the entrants have brought new life and work opportunities to rural communities, offering local employment as their businesses have grown," says Ms Chapman.

The high calibre of entries is going to make the task of judging very challenging, she says. The award is being judged by Theresa Gattung of Wool Partners International; Doug Langford, recently retired chairman of Access Homehealth Ltd - which is sponsoring the award - and Margaret Chapman.

A North and South Island winner will be chosen, both of whom will attend the award ceremony at the Rural Women New Zealand national conference in Oamaru on Tuesday 25 May, when the supreme winner will be announced.