Rural Women awards open

"This is the fourth year we've run the awards, and we encourage all women running small rural businesses to enter," says Rural Women NZ national president, Liz Evans.

The supreme Enterprising Rural Women Award will go to the winner of one of the following entry categories:

'Love of the Land' sponsored by Agrisea Ltd – covering all land-based businesses, from animals to agriculture.

'Help! I Need Somebody' sponsored by Telecom – for businesses with a service-focus.

'Making it in Rural' – for women involved in manufacturing or creative enterprises.

'Stay, Play Rural' sponsored by Access Homehealth Limited – covering businesses engaged in rural tourism and hospitality.

The awards are a real opportunity for women to boost their media profile and grow their businesses, says Evans.

It's been a whirlwind year for Rose Voice of The Real Dog Equipment Company since she won the RWNZ Enterprising Rural Women Award in May 2012. Booked for speaking engagements through to October, she has also taken on extra staff to keep up with increased demand for her specialist dog products.

Winning the RWNZ Enterprising Rural Women Award 2011 was also a huge confidence boost for Marlborough cheesemaker Lisa Harper, who says it was a stepping stone towards her being awarded a prestigious Nuffield Scholarship at the end of 2012.

To enter the awards, women have to own and operate a small business, with less than 10 full time equivalent staff, based in a rural area. The business must have been running for at least two years. If in partnership, women must be an active partner of 50% or more in the business.

Entries close Friday, March 15, and entry forms are available on www.ruralwomen.org.nz.

The awards will be presented at the Rural Women NZ national conference in Christchurch on May 23, 2013.

Each category winner will receive $1000 in prize money and a trophy, with a further $1000 going to the supreme winner.