Rural Women New Zealand celebrates 90 years

A small group of farmers’ wives had come to Wellington with their husbands for the New Zealand Farmers Union (NZFU) conference.

However, there were rumblings of discontent. The needs of the women and their families out in the ‘backblocks’ were being overlooked by the NZFU, raising serious concerns about their health, and the effects of isolation. The farmers’ wives formed the WDFU with the aim of finding ways to improve living conditions on New Zealand farms and support the NZFU.

Florence Polson who became the first president of the WDFU said that the members of the NZFU had “too much church, children and kitchen in their attitude.”

She felt strongly that women should have financial independence and introduced a market system - the Women's Exchange which enabled women to sell produce.

In 1927, the Bush Nurse and Housekeeper schemes were implemented. As changes to health services improved, the Bush Nurse scheme was wound up.

In 1999, the Housekeeper scheme became Access Homehealth Ltd, one of the largest home care providers in New Zealand. Access was sold in 2014 as the organisation refocused its vision for the future.

Over the years, there have been huge successes for the organisation and eventually it became known as Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ).

"Some of those successes achieved during our 90 year history include funds raised for a Spitfire to support the war effort, significant fundraising for leptospirosis research, cot death research, a mobile library service, and support for communities during adverse events. Life is very different today for families on farms but there are still challenges," says RWNZ national president Wendy McGowan.

"Mental well-being has become a significant concern, along with family violence, biosecurity issues and limited access to adult learning opportunities for rural women. These are just some of the many issues we are addressing today, as an authentic advocate for rural communities. Our advocacy role in rural health, education, safety and environmental issues make our organisation as relevant today as it was in 1925," says McGowan.

Members are celebrating this milestone birthday with various events and activities around the country.