RWNZ applauds hormone patch funding rethink
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) says it welcomes recently announced consultation on Pharmac’s funding of ostradiol patches used by women going through perimenopause and menopause.
Rural Women New Zealand’s (RWNZ) new president is excited to be taking on the role.
Gill Naylor, a South Island farmer, says RWNZ is a ‘vibrant organisation’.
“I am excited to be standing on the shoulders of those that have been empowering rural communities since 1925.”
Naylor says farming and rural New Zealand have always been a big factor in her life. “I grew up on my parents’ sheep and beef farm about 20 minutes north east of Invercargill.”
In the 1980s, she moved to her husband’s Central Otago family farm.
Naylor told Rural News one of the biggest issues the new board will be tackling in the coming months is the use of cheques in the rural sector after several major banks announced they would phase out their use.
“Removing cheques as a form of payment is putting extra stress onto rural communities and we are calling for cheques to continue to be accepted until every rural household and business has consistent, reliable internet access.”
Naylor says that the use of cheques is very high as a payment method in more rural areas, but “the banks and other institutions have seemingly not taken the needs of rural communities into consideration when making these decisions.”
She says RWNZ is currently seeking feedback from its members on the impact of climate change on rural communities.
Naylor is joined by three new board members, Emma Higgins, Malvina Dick, and Claire Williamson.
“The new board is a great mix of experience and knowledge from within RWNZ and skills from outside the organisation which is vital to us being able to continue to strengthen and support rural communities,” says chief executive, Liz Pennington.
Federated Farmers supports a review of the current genetic technology legislation but insists that a farmer’s right to either choose or reject it must be protected.
New Zealand’s top business leaders are urging the US Administration to review “unjustified and discriminatory tariffs” imposed on Kiwi exporters.
New tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump signal an uncertain future, but New Zealand farmers know how to adapt to changing conditions, says Auriga Martin, chief executive of Farm Focus.
A global trade war beckons, which is bad news for a small open economy like New Zealand, warns Mark Smith ASB senior economist.
Carterton's Awakare Farm has long stood as a place where family, tradition and innovation intersect.
Fonterra says the US continues to be an important market for New Zealand dairy and the co-op.
OPINION: At last, a serious effort to better connect farmers and scientists.
OPINION: If you believe Maori Party president John Tamihere’s claim that “nothing dodgy” occurred at Manurewa Marae during the last…