Pay Equity Crucial for Rural Communities - RWNZ
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) says it welcomes the release of a new report into pay equity.
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) has appointed Heather Sorenson to its board following the resignation of Emma Higgins.
Sorenson is currently regional leader for the Top of the North region and has had a longstanding involvement with RWNZ, beginning when she was a young mum moving into a new rural community.
She says she is excited to bring her skills and experience to the RWNZ board table.
“I’m proud to be a member of an organisation that is determined in its commitment to supporting our rural women and communities as much as we can,” Sorenson says.
“I look forward to serving on the Board as we move towards our very exciting milestone of 100 years in existence in 2025.”
RWNZ president Gill Naylor says the Board decided to appoint a temporary replacement instead of holding a by-election as Higgins was due to go up for re-election at the organisation’s annual general meeting in November this year.
“Offering leadership development and building succession opportunities for our regional leaders was a key consideration for the Board,” says Naylor. “We’re delighted Heather put her hand up for this temporary appointment, as we have seen her considerable skills and expertise demonstrated in her role as a Regional Leader.”
Naylor says she also wants to thank Higgins for her contributions during her three-year tenure on the RWNZ board.
“Emma has been a huge asset with her strategic thinking, enthusiasm, future focus and ability to draw on both her professional skills and her understanding of Rural Women New Zealand and its rich history,” she says.
“Emma has reluctantly resigned from the board to better balance her substantial work and family responsibilities. We will miss her contribution but are pleased that Emma will remain an active member of the organisation.”
Farmers have voted to continue the Milksolids Levy that funds DairyNZ.
Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell has resigned after eight years in the role.
Matt McRae, a farmer from Mokoreta in Southland who runs a sheep, beef and dairy support business alongside a sheep stud, has been elected to the Beef +Lamb NZ Board as a farmer director.
Ravensdown's next evolution in smart farming technology, HawkEye Pro, was awarded the Technology Section Award at the Southern Field Days Farm Innovation Awards in February 2026.
While mariners may recognise a “dog watch” as a two-hour shift on a ship, the Good Dog Work Watch is quite a different concept and the clever creation of Southland siblings Grace (9) and Archer Brown (7), both pupils at Riverton Primary School.
Philip and Lyneyre Hooper of the Hoopman Family Trust have tonight been named the Taranaki Regional Supreme Winners at the Ballance Farm Environment Awards.

OPINION: Election years are usually regarded as the silly season, but a mate of the Hound reckons 2026 is shaping…
OPINION: If farmers poured just a few litres of some pollutant into a stream, the Green Party and the wider…