Meet the women of Rural Women New Zealand: Daughters. Mothers. Friends. Owners. Volunteers. Problem solvers.
Rural women have always been the backbone of our communities; the ones people turn to in times of need. For these women, when they are in need, there is one organisation they can turn to—Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ). Its mission over the last century is to give support, connection, and voice to rural women, their families, and communities. Now, in its second century, RWNZ's members are not just forging the familiar path of empowerment and connection, but cementing these values through programmes, such as ConnectHER and Activator. For one woman of the land, Emma Burke, belonging is more than a postcode.
Rural at heart
A relatively recent transplant to Springfield, Emma Burke has always lived the farm life.
“I was born and bred on the land, from the back blocks of Wairoa,” says Emma.
She and her husband have spent their lives in Gisborne, Southland, Hawkes Bay, and now have settled in Canterbury nearly two years ago.
“The South has truly captured our heart.”
It started with coffee
Though loving Springfield, Emma was finding it hard to meet new people, until she read about the local coffee group.
“I met Michelle Martin. She was wearing dog whistle earrings and knew she had to be a farmer. We clicked immediately. Then she told me about Rural Women and said I should come along. I have never looked back.”
Like Nicola, Emma joined the Activator programme, and the Leadership Development programme last year, where she has found a way to put her ideas into action.
Passenger Princess
With her boys very involved in four-wheel driving, she had heard the term ‘passenger princess,’ but wanted to give women the confidence behind the wheel, so she started the ‘Take the Wheel’ programme—a women’s 4WD training day.
“It was hugely successful. You know the helpless female just does not fit with my psyche at all. Just because you do not have the beans and tackle, does not mean you are not capable. You may just have to do it a different way.”
Empowered and ready
“I joined Rural Women because I was looking for connection. I did not just want another club; I wanted to be around women who understood what it is like for us.”
Emma found that and more. As more urban people move to the country, she realised many do not know the basics.
“Some of them have not had the privilege of growing up on the land, but now they have bought their ten acres and moved to the country for the good life and have quickly found out their lifestyle block is a life sentence block,” she laughs.
Later this year, Emma is moving beyond teaching 4WD and teaching rural skills.
“There is a demand for learning how to use a chainsaw or put up an electric fence. Their knowledge deficit makes life so much harder for them. We can fix that.”
Opening the door to new members is the future for RWNZ.
“You do not have to be a farmer. All you need to be is rural at heart.”
PGG Wrightson is supporting the vital work of Rural Women New Zealand through its Growing the County® programme.
