A hundred years of connection. Rural Women New Zealand are our daughters, mothers, friends, business owners, volunteers, and 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.
Meet Laura Morrison, one of the women helping to shape the future of the organisation and redefining what it means to be a rural woman in Aotearoa.
'The Gullies' is a 270-hectare sheep and beef farm in the Rangitaiki run by Laura and her husband Richard.
"We are really blessed with the geography of the place. We have three lots of flats and three lots of gullies, so lots of natural shade and shelter for the animals."
Home to New Zealand's original self-shedding flock, genetics plays a huge part in their operation. Laura says with 70 hectares of native bush, it is a beautiful farm to run their Burnback Herefords and Gullies Wiltshires
A history of connection
The first meeting of Rural Women New Zealand, then known as the Women's Division of the Farmer's Union in 1925.
Growing up on a dairy farm in Whakatane, her connection is generational.
“My dad found a photo of my great-grandmother, part of the Piopio branch, meeting Mrs (Helen) Wilson. So, there has always been a thread there to Rural Women. I became a member when I moved to Rangitikei.”
With a very active local branch, Laura found it to be the perfect outlet as became a mother.
“The fellowship that Rural Women offers locally has been something I have admired.”
Last year, Laura was asked to chair the ConnectHER Steering Committee.
ConnectHER, funded by Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), helps connect rural women and families in need with government and non-government services. The initiative is currently being trialled in the Wairoa/East Coast of the North Island and Southland.
“From adverse events to domestic issues, it is a real umbrella offering that Rural Women are leading and developing. It is an important project to help bust the silos we often are working in.”
A place for art
A cottage on their property, previously for junior shepherds, became an opportunity for the couple.
“I thought at first, I could go the agritourism route, but I wanted to give back to the arts community. The community is so accepting, and galleries are a place to slow down and contemplate, the way farming is too.”
The Gullies launched an artist-in-residence programme five years ago.
“We look directly north to Mount Ruapehu and see Taranaki Maunga and Kapiti Island, from certain points, so the landscape is your company rather than people.”
PGG Wrightson proudly supports the vital work of Rural Women New Zealand through their Growing the County® programme.
