Last year’s supreme winners, Keri Johnston and Haidee McCabe from Irricon Resource Solutions have come on board as sponsors. They are enthusiastic about the awards and want to encourage other women in rural businesses to have an opportunity to get the benefits that their business has gained since winning in 2014.

NZ Post is also a significant sponsor for the awards.

There are four award categories in 2015:

• Love of the Land – for land based businesses.
• Help! I need somebody – for businesses providing any type of service, from retailers to agricultural contractors.
• Making it in Rural – for businesses that involve manufacturing or creativity.
• Stay, Play Rural – for businesses engaged in rural tourism or hospitality.

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 per cent or more in the business.

Entries close Friday September 18 and the awards will be presented at the Rural Women NZ national conference in Nelson on Saturday November 21. Each category winner will receive $1,000 in prize money and a trophy, with a further $1,000 going to the supreme winner.

Download an Entry Form

Download an Information Sheet

For more on the Enterprising Rural Women Awards, contact Cecilia.desouza@ruralwomen.org.nz.