Pay Equity Crucial for Rural Communities - RWNZ
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) says it welcomes the release of a new report into pay equity.
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) has announced Sandra Kirby will take over as the organisation's new chief executive.
Kirby is an experienced chief executive across member organisations and the not-for-profit sector, most recently as chief executive of Physiotherapy New Zealand and Arthritis New Zealand.
She started with Rural Women New Zealand on 18th November.
Kirby says she is honoured to join RWNZ in such an auspicious year.
“With a strong foundation of innovation and passionate people, I look forward to building on the legacy that supports future generations of rural women,” she says.
RWNZ national president Sandra Matthews says it's great to have Kirby onboard.
"She brings extensive experience from her previous roles, and a career comprising of over two decades dedicated to service and improving the lives of others," Matthews says.
"It's been a huge year for Rural Women New Zealand, celebrating our Centennial and growing our National Office," she says. "Now we have Sandra as our chief executive, I can't wait to see what we achieve for rural women and communities across Aotearoa."
Matthews says she thanks interim chief executive Nicola Eccleton for her contribution to the organisation over the past six months.
"Nicola joined the team during a huge period of transformation, as new staff were onboarded and our strategy updated," she says. "She has been a key part of our renewed direction that leads the organisation into the next 100 years."
Ashleigh Gordon and Leilani Lobb have been named as the two finalists for Dairy Women's Network's (DWN) 2026 Regional Leader of the Year Award.
Animal and Plant Health New Zealand (APHANZ) says the approval of a new fungicide seed treatment is a positive, however growers will be hoping the final approval is completed ahead of the spring season.
North Canterbury farmer Adam Williamson has been appointed DairyNZ's associate director for 2026-27.
Fonterra farmers are set for a multi-billion-dollar payout this week.
The 2026 Holstein Friesian NZ Young Breeders Development Programme is off to a strong start, with this year's intake coming together for their first event on March 18 and 19.
State farmer Pāmu (Landcorp) has announced it will pay a $10 million special dividend to the Crown off the back of a strong outlook for the business and a capital repayment of $9.5 million following Fonterra's consumer business sale.

OPINION: If you ask this old mutt, the choice at the next election isn't shaping up as a contest of…
OPINION: A mate of yours says we're long overdue for a reckoning on what value farmers really get for the…