True Reflection?
A fair question has been raised about how member-funded organisations should conduct themselves when taking a public position on any given issue.
Nine finalists have been named in the rural section of the Women of Influence Awards.
They are among 82 finalists in 10 categories shortlisted for the awards dinner on October 24.
Entrants were judged on the impact of their actions and the influence they’ve exerted.
The awards, jointly presented by Westpac NZ and Stuff, attracted 371 nominations in the 10 categories.
The rural finalists are: Ash-Leigh Campbell, chair, NZ Young Farmers board/technical farm manager; Aimee Charteris, managing director, Aimee Charteris Genetics; Jacqui Cottrell, founder, Kiwi Quinoa; Toni Croon, owner, Hotel Chatham; Fiona Gower, national president, Rural Women NZ; Kylie Leonard, regional leader, Dairy Women’s Network; Gina Mohi, trustee, Rangiwewehi Charitable Trust; Lindy Nelson, founder, Agri-Women’s Development Trust; and Chloe Walker, director, Glynleith Farms.
Westpac NZ chief executive David McLean says the huge number and impressive calibre of the nominees this year left the judges with a daunting task to pick the finalists.
“For the last seven years these awards have celebrated the amazing achievements of Kiwi women, and 2019 is no exception. Our finalists showcase the breadth of the inspiring work they’re doing, from the boardroom to the back paddock and everywhere in between,” McLean said.
Each year, a supreme winner is chosen from the 10 category winners. Past recipients include family violence campaigner Jackie Clark (2018), food entrepreneur Cecilia Robinson (2017) and businesswoman Helen Robinson (2016).
The 82 finalists are invited to attend the Women of Influence Day of Celebration in Auckland on October 24, where they can share ideas and discuss challenges and opportunities in their respective fields.
The Women of Influence 2019 winners will be announced at the Awards Dinner at SkyCity that evening.
OPINION: In politics, credibility is and should be big. It must surely rank higher than charisma, which is quite trite and superficial. Yet, voters nowadays are often wooed and influenced by how someone looks or talks at a superficial level. TV plays a huge role in this.
Farmers can spend less time on paperwork, thanks to a new data sharing agreement between DairyNZ’s DairyBase and LIC’s MINDA software.
Kaikōura families affected by July's severe storm have found a practical solution to a problem that's kept some children away from regular schooling for weeks: a washed-out section of Inland Kaikōura Road, which has stopped the local school bus from running its usual route.
Rural New Zealand is welcoming the Government’s recent package of rural healthcare initiatives.
Interest in agritech and production animal systems has prompted Massey University's School of Agriculture and the Environment to new majors to its popular animal science degree.
Ballance Agrinutrients chief executive Kelvin Wickham says despite a tough year, he is pleased the business has returned to profit.

OPINION: The same mainstream media muppets that brought you Jacindamania in 2017 have been flat out pimping for the Opportunities…
OPINION: Your old mate reckons the atrocious way farmers in the UK are treated by their lords and masters in…