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OPINION: About as productive as a politician's taxpayer-funded trip to Hawaii, as cost-effective as an OSPRI IT project, and as smart as the power-company pylon worker, the Hound gives you the NZ Post business strategy:
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) National President, Fiona Gower and National Chair Penny Mudford OMNZ have arrived in New York to attend the United Nations’ 62nd Commission on the Status of Women (CSW62).
Gower is representing RWNZ at CSW62 as a member of the Pacific Women's Watch (NZ) delegation and Ms Mudford is attending as the Civil Society Representative on the New Zealand Government Delegation.
“The priority theme for CSW62 is ‘Challenges and opportunities in achieving gender equality and the empowerment of rural women and girls so it is important we are there,” says President, Fiona Gower.
“RWNZ has taken the opportunity to share our stories with women from all around the world, gain knowledge and insights for our rural women from an international platform and get involved with ensuring that UN countries agree to do all they can to empower rural women and girls.
"We will be at various events throughout the two weeks including a side event at the UN which is co-sponsored by the New Zealand, Australian and Argentinian governments.
“RWNZ has organised a parallel event not far from the UN complex which includes women from around New Zealand sharing their experiences in business, governance and media.
“This is truly an outstanding opportunity for RWNZ to share the ingenuity, enterprise and empowerment we enjoy in New Zealand with rural women from around the world so they themselves are empowered – that’s quite special,” says Gower.
Canterbury farmer Michelle Pye has been elected to Fonterra’s board for a three-year term.
Farmers are welcoming the announcement of two new bills to replace the under-fire Resource Management Act.
The Government has announced it will immediately roll over all resource consents for two years, with legislation expected to pass under urgency as early as this week.
The New Zealand National Fieldays Society has achieved a major sustainability milestone - reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and reaching the target five years early.
Fonterra's 2025/26 financial year is off to a strong start, with a first quarter group profit after tax of $278 million- up $15m on the previous year.
Government plans to get rid of regional councillors shows a lack of understanding of the fundamental problem affecting all of local government - poor governance.

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