Applications Open for 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards
Applications are now open for the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards, set to be held at Parliament on 23 July.
A $3000 education scholarship is available for health professionals with an interest in the rural sector.
The Rural Women New Zealand and Access Scholarship is aimed at applicants who are working in the health field with rural connections, and wish to further their studies in health or disability studies.
Preference will be given to applicants who are studying at post-graduate level.
"Access is proud to support ongoing professional development for health professionals working in the rural community, and we are pleased to continue to offer the scholarship alongside Rural Women New Zealand," says Simon Lipscombe, chief executive of Access.
Wendy McGowan, national president of Rural Women New Zealand says the organisation is committed to offering the scholarship to rural health professionals.
"We advocate for equity in health services in rural communities on a par with urban areas. That includes upskilling our health professionals to offer quality information and advice to rural patients."
Last year the scholarship was awarded to Heather Leong, a Community Registered Nurse based in Waikato.
Heather intended to use the scholarship to fund her studies to complete an International Integrative Nurse Coach Certificate in the United States.
Heather is now using the skills gained from her studies in her nursing work in the Waikato rural community.
Applications close on 1 July 2016. Full information and application forms can be found at www.ruralwomen.org.nz or www.access.org.nz
Farmer interest continues to grow as a Massey University research project to determine the benefits or otherwise of the self-shedding Wiltshire sheep is underway. The project is five years in and has two more years to go. It was done mainly in the light of low wool prices and the cost of shearing. Peter Burke recently went along to the annual field day held Massey's Riverside farm in the Wairarapa.
Applications are now open for the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards, set to be held at Parliament on 23 July.
Ravensdown has announced a collaboration with Kiwi icon, Footrot Flats in an effort to bring humour, heart, and connection to the forefront of the farming sector.
Forest & Bird's Kiwi Conservation Club is inviting New Zealanders of all ages to embrace the outdoors with its Summer Adventure Challenges.
Grace Su, a recent optometry graduate from the University of Auckland, is moving to Tauranga to start work in a practice where she worked while participating in the university's Rural Health Interprofessional Programme (RHIP).
Two farmers and two farming companies were recently convicted and fined a total of $108,000 for environmental offending.

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