in this is s u e . . .

• Nurse Practitioners boost rural health

• ACC update

• Following the lifestyle dream

• Health eating with red fleshed apples

OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF RURAL WOMEN NEW ZEALAND • ISSUE No. 1 March 2007

ACCW World President visits New Zealand

One of the biggest challenges
for governments and aid
agencies around the world
is ensuring help gets to
those who need it most.
Governments essentially
support governments, while
top-heavy bureaucracy and
corruption whittle down
aid funds, so that those in
need may see few of the
benefits of the money given
specifically to help them.

Associated Country Women

of the World (ACWW) is a
unique organization that
overcomes these problems Rural Women New Zealand was delighted to host a reception for Dato Ursula Goh at our Honda House clubrooms
t h ro u g h i t s e x t e n s i v e last month (l to r) National President Sherrill Dackers, Val Tarrant chairman of the ACWW Projects Committee,
volunteer network. In all, Dato Ursula Goh World President ACWW, Her Excellency Mrs Susan Satyanand, Jeanette Tarbotton South
Pacific Area President ACWW
600 groups come under
the ACWW umbrella, representing a staggering nine million
members. In February, ACWW’s World President, Dato Ursula
Goh, visited this country at the invitation of Rural Women of
New Zealand.
During her nationwide tour Dato Goh spoke to members about
the projects ACWW supports. Though the individual projects
are small, costing in the region of $10,000 to $35,000, they are
carefully targeted to give women a step up on to the first rung
of the ladder out of poverty. And they add up. Each year
ACWW gives out around $250,000 of new funds.
“They are simple projects. Some of the most important ones
are providing clean drinking water,” says Dato Goh. “In Africa
some of the water sources are six hours going and six hours
coming back. How much water can a woman carry? In India
and Africa the women work very hard, but they can’t get credit
from the bank. We give them loans to start up in cattle, poultry
or vegetable farming, for instance.”
In a village in north-east China the women identified two
critical needs - water and ways to generate an income. ACWW
gave funds for a new water supply, a communal bathhouse
and toilet and also financed a goose breeding project.
“It started with 25 families being provided with 50 goslings
each. A market for meat and feathers had already been
identified. Once the first batch of goslings had been sold with
some kept to breed from, each family donated back 10 goslings
to help the next families get started.”
ACWW also concentrates on capacity building, knowing that
educating women empowers them. Increasingly it is involved
in social issues such as HIV Aids orphans and the trafficking
of women and children.
Since ACWW’s beginnings 30 years ago, Rural Women New
Zealand has been a strong supporter, helping to raise funds
through membership dues, legacies and the ‘pennies for
friendship’ scheme. But our support goes beyond passing
round the hat. Rural Women New Zealand members have
offered their time and commitment at the highest level.
Jeanette Tarbotton from Ashburton is currently the ACWW
South Pacific Area President, helping to monitor projects
that are underway and putting forward new projects for
consideration, while Val Tarrant from Taranaki heads to
London twice a year as chair of the Projects Committee. This
group has the difficult task of prioritizing projects to fund from
the many applications received.
Once approved, the money is sent out to the groups via the
Area Presidents, guaranteeing that the funds reach the people
they are intended for.

Strengthening Rural Communities Page 

editorial Editorial
Lets take a journey together through
the last three years! I have been
going back over some of my
previous contributions for this
editorial column and it has been a
very thought provoking exercise.
Many of you will realise that my
term as your National President is
almost complete. Therefore – why
not revisit some of the editorials and
see what has happened since – have these issues been
resolved? If not – why not?
Local Body Representation – the struggle for rural
representation continues and this year we have another
opportunity to make sure that rural voices are heard and
rural community representation is improved. You, as
members, are the ones who can make a difference.
Homecare and Access Homehealth – most of you will be
aware of our Petition to the Government and the need
for travel costs to be paid for rural homecare workers.
Some of you will have heard of the official response to this and the
subsequent report. Once again this whole issue has been ignored
and resulted in a ‘whitewash. We may be disappointed but we
will continue to be vocal on this matter.
The neglect and disregard of rural rights as taxpayers, ratepayers
and a vital part of the New Zealand economy. Gradually there
appears to be an awakening recognition amongst Government and
Parliamentarians. It is only small but it is beginning to happen.
We must not relax our vigilance – the work must continue.
Natural Disasters – these continue to plague the country and
more often than not it is rural who suffer the most. Who will
forget the disruption to business and family lives caused by the
Canterbury snow. Once again the difficulties in servicing rural
communities were obvious. But so, too, were the magnificent
strength, capabilities and support always present amongst rural
people. Nationwide our members reacted instantly and gave
valuable help and support.
RWNZ is still addressing the recruitment of new members and
interest from younger women but it is pleasing to note the growth
of the Women in Farming and Women in Agribusiness groups,
the dinner groups and individual members. We are beginning
to recognise that diversity and change can be achieved when we
have the will.
As a late addition. Last week the Outdoor Walking Access report
was released. Although there were no real decisions or solutions
the Consultation Panel recommends that the Government forms
a Statutory Body – Te Ara o Papatuanuku – which will oversee
all aspects of deciding, negotiating and supervising walking
access in rural and coastal areas. It is not possible to make any
further comments until we have read the document completely
and understand the recommendations. At first glance it appears
reasonable but we reserve comment.
These are only a few of the topics that I have discussed with
you during the last three years. We continue with our valuable
socialising and fun events throughout the country – indeed we
are known for it - but also we continue struggling for rural health,
education, social and transport improvements.
In his famous ‘fighting on the beaches’ speech Winston Churchill
said ‘we shall never surrender’. Perhaps a little strong for us but
none the less we shall continue to strive for equality for rural and
to strengthen rural communities. We shall not give up.
Page 
Nurse Practitioners give
boost to rural health
The addition of Nurse Practitioners to the health workforce,
particularly in rural areas, is a significant development in
addressing the crisis situation for rural people in accessing
medical services.
There are currently 25 registered Nurse Practitioners in New Zealand,
and 12 of these also have the authority to prescribe medicines.
The Nurse Practitioner role is aimed at improving access to care,
including rural. To boost numbers the Ministry of Health and ACC
have provided scholarships since 2004 for registered nurses to
complete their studies to become primary health care rural nurse
practitioners.
The requirements for registration as a Nurse Practitioner
are rigorous, including a Clinical Master’s level degree and
significant experience in a specific scope of practice.
Adrianne Murray Whanau Ora nurse practitioner in Northland.
Adrianne Murray was one of the first to qualify under the
rural scholarship scheme and she now practices in Te Tai
Tokerau (Northland) providing nurse practitioner outreach
clinics from a mobile van in combination with on-site rural
community clinics.
Helen Snell, a Nurse Practitioner with MidCentral Health, says “We
prefer to go where there is a gap and where we can meet the needs
of a community that are not being met. There is so much work to
do and we can’t do it with the current health workforce.”
Nurse Practitioners bring a different perspective, she says,
although they often work in teams with GPs. “Just as GPs
need nurses, so we need GPs. We have a different skill set
and a different knowledge. As nurses we are interested in
the effects of illness and how it impacts on the person and the
family and their social situation.”
However the Nurse Practitioner role does not sit comfortably
in the current regulatory system. The Ministry of Health has
identified 63 pieces of legislation which restrict specific activities
to medical practitioners and other health professionals,
creating more obstacles for the development of the Nurse
Practitioner role.
“Once we are registered gaining employment is difficult as
well,” says Helen Snell. Nurse Practitioners can attempt to
form a contract with a Primary Health Organisation or work
for a hospital based service.
“Some parts of the health sector are not conversant with the
Nurse Practitioner role and what our fit is and in some areas
we are seen as competition, whereas we are not.
“As nurses it is in our nature to practice collaboratively but in
some rural areas there is a GP shortage and there isn’t enough
health workforce to meet current demand and Nurse Practitioners
are well placed to do that. We are highly skilled and specialise in
an area of practice and know what resources are available.”
Strengthening Rural Communities
Wellington Experience
Fifteen hand-picked RWNZ members from around the
country enjoyed a stimulating three days when they came
to the capital in February for the Wellington Experience.
Sponsored by Landcorp, the programme aims to foster
leadership potential among the women by giving
participants an insight into the advocacy role of our
organisation and its national office activities.
The women met with both the National Party caucus
and the Labour Women’s Caucus, visited the Ministry of
Women’s Affairs, The Correspondence School and Police
headquarters and enjoyed presentations from the Institute
of Rural Health, ACC and Telecom.
A highlight of the 2007 Wellington Experience was a visit to
Landcorp Farming, where the women, pictured above, enjoyed
lunch and a presentation.
Charity Golf Tournament benefits
Ronald McDonald House
Marg O’Neill
presents a cheque
to Rose of Ronald
McDonald House
watched by
Canterbury RDO
Sue Halse
A fresh dusting of snow on the mountains made for a scenic
drive to Methven for Canterbury Region’s annual charity golf
tournament in March. There was a good field of 60 entrants,
including 14 men .
RWNZ members organised raffles and the sponsored prizes
included a night’s accommodation at The Hermitage Hotel for the
day’s top golfer. Winchmore Branch catered for the occasion.
At the end of the day, Marg O’Neill of Albury Branch presented
a cheque to Rose from Ronald McDonald House for $900.
Strengthening Rural Communities
ACC Update
issues
Farming is a hazardous business. Members who came
to the Wellington Experience heard that in 2005/6 ACC
paid out $69.9 million in compensation to 29,544 people
working in the agricultural sector. For dairy, beef and
sheep workers, the most common injuries come from
handling animals, while horticulture workers suffered
mostly from lifting and straining. ATV accidents also
continue to feature strongly, causing 18% of the injuries
in the dairy sector, and 11% on sheep and beef farms.
Standard ACC cover can be a tricky for those working in
agriculture, as it is based on 80% of your previous year’s
earnings. As we all know, farm incomes fluctuate from
year to year, or you may have taken time off to study or
travel. Any of these factors could mean you only qualify
for the minimum cover - currently $304 a week. If your
business continues generating income or you return to part-time
work, your ACC compensation may be reduced even more.
However the ACC CoverPlus Extra option offers flexibility that
gives you pre-agreed cover based on what you need, not last year’s
income, so that if you are injured you will receive 100% of that amount.
Paperwork is also minimised when you’re injured and payments are
made promptly because the compensation rate is pre-set.
You choose from weekly levels of compensation ranging
from $304 to $1,486 per week, and ACC CoverPlusExtra will
continue to give you 100% of agreed cover if you return to
work part-time or your business continues generating income.
It also covers shareholder-employees.
Another flexible option means you can scale back your
payments, choosing to receive lower weekly compensation in
return for a lower levy - though ACC warns that while saving
money now may seem attractive, when you’re injured you
may appreciate the higher rate of compensation.
Prevention better than cure
ACC has a large number of free resources to help improve rural
safety available online at www.acc.co.nz or in hard copy from
ACC offices. These include animal handling, child safety on
farms, hearing, shearing, guidelines for planning rural safety
days, riding ATVs and many more. There are also agriculture
focused workbooks for managing hazards, improving
workplace health and safety, training and supervision and
emergencies and incident investigation.
Your Liability
The recent land access debate has again highlighted the issue
of liability for injuries to visitors to farms under the Health
and Safety in Employment Act 1992.
In brief, farm owners have a legal responsibility to inform visitors
who seek permission to access farmland of hazards that would
not normally be expected on a farm. Normal hazards include
bluffs, bulls, slips and tomos. Farm owners are not required to
inform visitors of normal farm work that may pose a hazard.
However visitors must be informed of hazards caused by
activities such as tree felling, bulldozing tracks or the use of
explosives. If a visitor has been informed of these the farm
owner has no liability in the case of an accident. The owner
also has the right to refuse permission for visitors to access
their land, and if people trespass and hurt themselves, the
owner has no liability. Further information is available from
OSH offices or on their website www.osh.dol.govt.nz
Page 
feature Scotlands Te Kiteroa Trust
The sale of two beautiful homes that once belonged to
Rural Women New Zealand formed the foundation of a
trust that now awards bursaries and grants that benefit
many individuals and rural communities each year.
‘Scotlands’ in Herne Bay Auckland and ‘Te Kiteroa’ in
Waimate used to provide accommodation for members
who needed a break from the relentlessness of work
on the land. One of the few criteria for the rest home
experience was that the women should have breakfast
in bed!
Times changed and by 1982 the properties had been
sold and a trust set up with the proceeds. Each year
the trust gives text book grants, secondary boarding
bursaries and tertiary bursaries, as well as funding
projects for individuals and groups in rural areas.
“Anyone from the public can apply,” says trustee Janet
Jensen. “We fund a wide range of requests benefiting children,
the elderly, education, conservation and rural communities.”
Recently Scotlands Te Kiteroa Trust has funded special
Minding Your Grey Matter
People are living longer and as our population ages the number living
with neurological disorders is predicted to grow. But recent research
has shown that with the right approach there are things we can do
to reduce the risk of dementia. This was one of the key messages of
Brain Awareness Week held in Auckland last month.
Presently there are 30,000 people in New Zealand living with
dementia, which covers a large group of illnesses that cause a
progressive decline in a person’s functioning. The symptoms include
a loss of memory, intellect, rationality, social skills and normal
emotional reactions.
It was once believed that little could be done to reduce a person’s
risk of developing dementia, and while we can’t control the risk
factors of age and our genes, new studies show that a ‘brain healthy’
lifestyle can reduce the risk of developing dementia. And the bonus
is that at the same time you’ll be lowering your risk of heart disease,
stroke and diabetes.
Typically mental decline begins by the age of 40 and parts of the brain
we don’t use stop working. Brains need exercise and by challenging
our brain with mental activity we can create new pathways and ‘wake
up’ parts of the brain. Almost any mental activity can be good for
the brain, but it should be reasonably complex, frequent, varied and
interesting. So try doing something you haven’t done before like
learning a new language.
Regular exercise also reduces the risk of dementia as it maintains
good blood flow to the brain. Diet is important too, with brain healthy
foods including ‘good cholestrol’ foods such as olive oil, avodadoes
and olives, and omega 3 fatty acids which are found in soy and canola
oils and oily fish. At the same time it is wise to reduce your intake
of reduced saturated fats.
And finally, get socialising. The more socially engaged, as well
as mentally and physically active you are, the lower your risk of
dementia. Social contact is also important for staving off depression.
Research shows people should have seven contacts with other people
each day, be that by phone or in person. A great excuse (as if we need
one) for getting involved and networking with other rural women!
Page 
Scotlands Te Kiteroa Trust Board members (l to r) Janet Jensen,
Sherrill Dackers, Jacky Stafford (ex officio), Ann Rawson, Lorraine
Hatfull
furniture items for chidren with intellectual disabilities, helped
with the resurfacing costs of a community tennis club, given
money for after-school programme equipment and assisted
in purchasing a freezer and commercial vacuum cleaner for
two educational centres.
Following the lifestyle dream
Lifestyle blocks are burgeoning around the country, according
to figures from the latest 2006 Census.
New Zealand’s
population in
the main urban
centres has risen
8.9% since the
previous Census
in 2001, but the
fastest growth
has been in
rural areas with
either moderate
urban influence
(9.5%) or strong
urban influence Photo by Joanna Grigg
(12.3%).
New Zealand now has 140,000 ‘lifestyle blocks’ of between
0.4 and 30 hectares, occupying a total of 753,000 hectares or
4.3 percent of the total farmland, and the number is growing
by 6,800 blocks, or 37,600 hectares per year. Small towns are
also benefiting, turning around the minus 3.2 per cent of total
growth between 1996 and 2001 to a plus 7.5 percent growth
during the last five years.
Technology has the ability to make it easier for people to work
from home, or to give them greater resources for running their
own businesses. Satellite and wireless broadband, though still
expensive, may prove less costly both in dollar and stress terms
than commuting from home to the city.
The growth in lifestyle blocks also has a positive spin-off for
Rural Women New Zealand. In many instances women are
fully involved in managing stock, irrigation, fencing and
other tasks on their lifestyle blocks. Yet many may have little
experience of rural life and are hungry for knowledge and keen
to meet others in similar situations.
If you have lifestyle blocks in your area, it could be a good
opportunity to grow your branch membership. So make
contact and invite people along to your branch events or the
nearest Women in Farming Group.
Strengthening Rural Communities
Rural Support Trust
shows the way forward
For rural people living or working in isolation, good advice
and support is vital, especially in times of adverse events, or
when financial or health problems strike. But knowing where
to turn to for assistance can be a problem in itself.
In Waikato, Hauraki and Coromandel, a recently established charitable
organisation, The Rural Support Trust, aims to match those needing
support with appropriate people who can provide assistance.
RWNZ national councillor, Sue Saunders from Hamilton
(pictured right), is one of the trustees, along with (l to r) Syd-
Fraser Jones, chairman John Fisher and Neil Bateup.
The Trust, which has been operating for a year, is available to
support all rural families, not just farmers, explains Sue. “Our
aim is to put people in touch with the right person to help resolve
their problem, be that a doctor, farm adviser, accountant, lawyer
or Victim Support. In some cases the Trust will also fund the
initial consultation with the professional or support person.”
The Trust will also act as the co-ordinator of relief efforts in
the case of a major adverse event, working alongside local
authorities and Civil Defence. To contact the Rural Support
Trust call 0800 787 254.
Community Fund there in times of trouble
Two families who lost their homes to fire just before Christmas
were given some help to get back on their feet with a grant
from RWNZ’s Community Fund. This fund is available to help
individuals or groups in times of disaster or specific need.
Applications for grants up to $1,000 can be made by any RWNZ
member, and may be made on behalf of another person or
group. Application are considered at each RWNZ Council
meeting although in an urgent situation our President and
Finance Chair are able to make an immediate grant. Full
criteria is available from the office or on our website www.
ruralwomen.org - Bursaries section.
Branch Birthdays
Gore branch celebrated its 80th birthday recently with a lunch
attended by past and present members. The anniversary cake
was cut by Margaret Dickie, who has been a member of the
branch since 1936, and Gladys Dickie, a member since 1964.
Waikouaiti Branch - the oldest in the Otago Region - also turned
80 recently, celebrating in style with a tree planting by Dunedin
Mayor Peter Chin and entertainment from the Waikouaiti Music
Group. Seven members founded the group in 1927 which boasted
70 members at its peak in 1970. Surplus food from a splendid
afternoon tea was taken to the local rest home, where it was also
much appreciated.
Strengthening Rural Communities
Strengthening Rural
our people
Communities
It is always interesting to hear of the many ways our members
put our motto “Strengthening Rural Communities”,
into action. It’s also good to hear when those people are
acknowledged by the communities they serve.
Recently Valerie Driver, who is described as the
“backbone” of the Waipapa Kerikeri branch, was
nominated by her fellow RWNZ members for a Far
North District Council Citizens Award. They were
delighted when she was recognised with an Award.
Valerie has been a long term fundraiser for the Life
Education Trust, has been active in the local Stroke
Club for 20 years, delivered Meals on Wheels for 25,
is a foundation member of the Kerikeri Girls Brigade
and has served a variety of roles with the St James
Anglican Church, to name just a few ways she gives to
her community.
Fantastic Fundraisers
Our members in branches throughout the country also
keep busy supporting their communities. Here’s what
some of them have been up to:
Cromwell branch gave copies of Tom Scott and
Trevor Grice’s The Great Brain Robbery to four libraries in
the District, two oxygen flow meters to St John’s and money
to the Roxburgh Health Camp. To raise funds they take the
opportunity to cater for a wide range of events.
Cromwell Vice President, Helen Irwin (left) presents The Great
Brain Robbery to local librarians.
Canterbury Provincial recently presented a cheque for $5,500 to
the Canterbury Charity Hospital Trust. In accepting the cheque
Lorraine Proffitt said the money was likely to be used for the
purchase of theatre equipment for cataract operations. Earlier
Provincial Co-ordinator, Beverley Blanche, had challenged
each RWNZ branch in Canterbury Provincial to raise a sum
of money, and most surpassed their goal.
Rodney Women’s Refuge benefited from fundraising by
Kaipara Provincial over the course of last year, when a cheque
was presented for $1,000.
Kaipara members obviously believe in the old adage about ‘idle
hands’. They have kept theirs busy over the last 20 years knitting
singlets, bootees and hats for the Helensville Birthing Unit.
“The father gets to choose which one he would like and it has
gone from the plain white, pink or blue to multi colours, the
most popular being the All Black strip - black and white. With
around 20 newborns a month it keeps the women very busy!”
says Kaipara Provincial President, Lynda Wright.
Page 
branchline welcome to new members Generator to benefit whole community
Deborah Rose Dillon - Stewart Island; Shirley Ussher -
South Canterbury; Carmel Spencer - Havelock North;
Catherine Petrey - Lower Hutt; Maree Llewellyn Betty Hill and
- Cambridge; Robin Ormerod - Martinborough; Diana Zeta Pringle of
Upper Waitaki
Mathers - Hastings, Caron Williamson - Pleasant
RW N Z ( f a r
Point, Suzanne Milham - Wanganui, Pauline Brennan right) with
(individual members) C a t t l e C re e k
Diana Dumont, Pakawau residents
Alison Devine - Kurow; Geoff Evans - Blenheim and their
new portable
(associate member)
generator
Jocelyn Terry, Betty Tarrant, Noeline Dunn - Tokaora-
Inaha
Helen Ellis - Waimate North
Betty Johnson - Aoroa
Gavin Forrest - Wellington Network Branch
If Cattle Creek residents at the top of the Hakataramea Valley
farewell to old friends are hit by heavy snows again this winter, they’ll be in better
shape to help themselves following the donation of generator
Lillian Falloon - Masterton by Waipa-King Country RWNZ members.
Violet Hutchison - Motueka
It’s portability and the fact it can be shared by the wider South
Margaret Perrie - Te Kauwhata Canterbury or North Otago community were important factors
Patricia Robertson ONZM - Rotorua in deciding to purchase the 2000 watt generator.
Andre Roulston - Tahatika
The Cattle Creek area is relatively isolated and often
Beverley Holgate - Hillend experiences quite heavy snow falls throughout winter. Last
Mavis Sheridan - Southbrook-Flaxton June the area had to wait several days for a generator to be
Beryl Brown - Stratford brought in to power up the Telecom box to restore telephone
Marian Ryalls - Hawea Flat communications around the district according to Upper
Waitaki RWNZ President, Jocelyn McIlraith. “If that happens
Gloria Lindsay - Manapouri-Te Anau
again we have a generator available to restore phone lines.
Joan Patterson - Upper Wairoa Communication is so important during emergencies.”
Olive Liddall - Tumahu
The kindness of the Waipa-King Country members reflects
Jocelyn Fleming - Oropi
the spirit of our organisation and its purpose of strengthening
Betty Brocket - Waikouaiti rural communities she said. “We were all quite blown away
Madge Sutton - Huirau Road-Turua by their generosity.”
Annie McLellan, Martha (Mattie) McKay - Wyndham
A day on the Cavalcade
Rene Dreaden

honours board
Branch Life Membership

Gloria Swney, Margaret Osborne - Elstow Hard copy photo

Nyla Chubb - Midhurst
Helen Bruce - Gore

Provincial Bar of Honour

Jean McKeown - Lyalldale, South Canterbury

Branch Bar of Honour Four Wyndham branch members stepped back in time and
enjoyed a day in a horse drawn wagon and a Hansom cab as
Peg Fawcett - Midhirst they joined the Southern Wagons Horse Power cavalcade when it
passed through Gore recently. Margaret Wards, Mary Matthews,
Service Simply Given
Rowena McKay and Maureen Stewart said they felt like queens,
Beverley Pitt - Midhirst waving to the passers-by. The wagon enthusiasts, led by Ellwin
Cowie, left Bluff in January on the 1,256 kilometre trek to Picton.
The journey took seven weeks and the riders collected $8,500 en
route for the Lion Foundation Rescue Helicopter.

Page  Strengthening Rural Communities

One Day School benefits gifted children
Central Otago Rural Education Activities Programme (REAP)
has teamed up with the George Parkyn National Centre for
Gifted Education to bring One Day School to Otago. The One
Day School concept began in 1995, but the Alexandra School is
the first time it has been rurally-based. Children spend one full
school day every week with other gifted children, working in
depth throughout the day, and sometimes across several days,
on a specific theme, rather than in different curriculum areas.
“It is a great model for rural areas where it is much more difficult
to access out of the ordinary educational opportunties,” says
parent and RWNZ member Jane Mitchell.
One Day School is not centrally funded, and Central Otago
REAP has accessed a range of grants to get it off the ground.
Children attend from as far afield as Maniototo, Roxburgh,
Cromwell, Millers Flat and Wanaka.
From cover to cover
After Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in
the dark days of the Second World War,
New Zealanders felt vulnerable and
exposed, until numbers in the home
Army, Navy and Air Force were built
up and women joined the WAACs,
Wrens and WAAFs. Together they
guarded New Zealand on land and
sea, tracking approaching aircraft,
monitoring signals and maintaining
equipment. Stationed from the far north to the deep south
they were our Last Line of Defence. Others served in the Home
Guard and the Women’s War Service Auxiliary or Women’s
Land Service. In this book Megan Hutching, a senior oral
historian with the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, records
the moving stories of fifteen men and women who served
in uniform at home. This completes the seven volume Oral
History series. Published by Harper Collins rrp $44.99. We
have one copy of this book to give away.
Over the last 15 years, agriculture, horticulture, forestry
and fishing, together with related
industries, have increased
their productivity at more
than double the rate of the rest
of the economy, belying the
fashionable view, on the part of
some, that our primary industries
are declining in importance.
Farm - The Spirit of Rural New
Zealand by Vaughan Yarwood,
celebrates our farming history
through the eyes of a diverse range of farming families.
Between them they also discuss the issues that preoccupy
New Zealand farmers today, where innovation and diversity
hold the key. The landscapes and its people are captured
by leading landscape photographer Arno Gasteiger.
Published by Random House NZ rrp $69.99. We also have
one copy of this book to give away.
To go in the draw for either book: Put your name and address
on the back of an envelope addressed to RWNZ, PO Box 12-021,
Wellington, and note which book draw you wish to enter. “Farm”
or ”Last Line of Defence”.
Strengthening Rural Communities
Popular beef and lamb
noticeboard
demos set to resume
For several years RWNZ has worked with the Beef & Lamb
Marketing Bureau to bring the latest culinary delights to
groups of women around the country. Celebrity chefs
from the top restaurants entertain and inform as they
demonstrate their latest taste creations using ingredients
that many of
us help to
produce on
our farms.
Pat Macaulay,
R W N Z ’ s
regional
development
officer in
Otago, says
there has
been an
overwhelming response from around the regions from
groups keen to host one of these events again this year.
Dates are being negotiated with the Beef & Lamb Bureau
and will be publicised in the next few weeks.
Meanwhile, if you would like a recipe for Braised
Lamb with Marjoram, Apples and Maple Syrup, as
demonstrated by the bureau’s ambassador chef Jeremy
Griffiths, please write to RWNZ, PO Box 12-021, enclosing a
stamped addressed envelope headed up ‘Lamb Recipe’. The
recipe is also available on our website www.ruralwomen.
org.
If your branch, group or Provincial
is interested in making a banner
to display at conferences or events,
you might like to incorporate an
embroidered Rural Women New
Zealand badge as shown here.
They are available from Janet Jensen at
a cost of approximately $55 each. Please
contact national office for details.
Time to check electric fences
The arrival of autumn is a good time to check the earthing and
set-up of electric fences to avoid interference with telephone
lines in the area.
A poorly set up fence could be interfering with your phone
and internet connections and causing the same trouble for
your neighbours, even up to several kilometres away. The
clicks cause errors in the modem data stream, which means
the modem is always re-transmitting data. This can happen
even on a perfectly good telephone line.
Telecom has drawn up a five-step electric fence check which
can be downloaded from www.telecom.co.nz/electricfences,
or by ringing Telecom.
Meantime if you make overseas calls, check out Telecom’s 0161
service for low rate international calls from your home phone,
without having to sign up for any plan.
Page 
Women in Farming
Healthy eating with red flesh and virgin oil - By Jane White
The next big thing in apples will be red fruit - scarlet
scavengers of free radicals in the form of red-fleshed apples.
This was one of the eye-opening discoveries at Havelock
North’s HortResearch centre, where Hawke’s Bay Women
in Farming started its year’s activities. Unfortunately all we
saw were photos - the red apples themselves won’t be on the
market for another four or five years.

Plant pathologists Mary Horner and Reiny Scheper talked

about current research into new varieties of fruits and
berries and explained some of their work on the fungi and
viruses that attack food crops. These down to earth, practical
scientists showed us examples of pests and disease damage
on leaves and branches, including a spectacular and precious
fungus.

Having whetted our appetite for food crops at HortResearch,

we went on to Telegraph Hill, the largest producer of table
olives in New Zealand. That’s not all they do, as we found
out. Rose Gresson explaining the tasting of olive oil to Pauline Malloy and
Sallie Moore
Telegraph Hill founder, Rose Gresson, has a passion for
producing the best. She has been growing olive trees for 12 years and producing table olives for six, starting Telegraph Hill
olivery with Geoff Crawford less than four years ago. They now produce olives, extra virgin oil and olive products.

We sampled the oil and although drinking olive oil isn’t something I will make a habit of, it was interesting. Coughing is
a sign of a good oil, we were told. The peppery bite catches the back of your throat. According to Rose, Telegraph Hill’s
Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a peppery oil that carries a strong aroma of olives and freshly cut grass. For olive oil fans these
are desirable qualities.

The olives are pickled, spending up to two years in brine - olives straight off the tree are inedible - before being packed with
one of five flavours in either glass or resealable plastic.

Olive products include taste treats like balsamic drizzle, wasabi vinaigrette and dukkah - all of which we sampled - and
went back for more - and carried away from the shop afterwards. A visit to Telegraph Hill is educational, a taste adventure
and an inspiration for many future food experiments.

FMG Sponsorship of Women in Farming /

Women in Agribusiness
FMG offers some funding for WIF / WAG groups to hold learning packages
that are not being funded by other sources (such as the Sustainable Farming
Fund). In return FMG asks that they have the opportunity to have a
representative present and that material promoting FMG is available. We
send a report to FMG twice yearly (March and September).

If you are organising a seminar or event and would like some funding support,
please contact RWNZ’s executive officer, Noeline Holt, for more information.
Email noeline.holt@ruralwomen.org.nz.

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

Email enquiries@ruralwomen.org.nz • www.ruralwomen.org • ISSN no 1171-4425

Editor: Head Office, PO Box 12021 Wellington • Printer: Precise Print & Design Ltd., Paraparaumu

Page  Strengthening Rural Communities