Deadline draws closer

"With closing date of Friday, March 15 now around the corner, we're reminding women to send in their entries," says Rural Women New Zealand national president, Liz Evans.
In their fifth year, the awards attract good publicity for both entrants and winners, says Evans.

"Rural Women New Zealand's aim is to grow dynamic rural communities, and giving a boost to women in rural business is a very positive way of achieving this."
Last year's winner, Rose Voice of The Real Dog Equipment Company, urges women to enter, though she says she needed encouragement to do so herself.

"It's a typical Kiwi trait – and perhaps more for females – to think what they do is not good enough. But just go for it – don't have any doubts."
Since winning the award, Voice has seen her business go from strength to strength. She's taken on two extra machinists to keep up with demand for her specialist canine products and publicity surrounding the award has led to bookings for speaking engagements through to the end of the year.
The awards attract diverse entries, and past winners include a traditional-style cheese maker, a farm walk and homestay enterprise, a forestry trucking company, and a merino sock manufacturer.

This year's award categories reflect this diversity.

The categories are 'Love of the Land' sponsored by Agrisea, for all animal and land-based businesses; 'Help I Need Someone' sponsored by Telecom, for enterprises providing a service; 'Making It In Rural' sponsored by Fly Buys for manufacturing and creative businesses; and 'Stay, Play, Rural' sponsored by Access Homehealth for tourism and hospitality ventures.

The Enterprising Rural Women Awards 2013 are open to small businesses with 10 full-time staff or less that have been operating for at least two years. If in partnership, women must be an active partner of 50% or more. Past entrants are welcome to enter again.

Each category winner will receive $1000 and a trophy. They will go on to compete for the Supreme Award 2013, which will be announced at the Rural Women New Zealand national conference in Christchurch on Thursday 23 May, where rural fashion entrepreneur Peri Drysdale of Untouched World will be the special guest speaker.

Entry forms and further information can be found on the website www.ruralwomen.org.nz.