Enterprising Rural Women Award Winners 2015

Joanne Taylor’s rural lifestyle magazine Latitude has won the supreme award at the Enterprising Rural Women Awards held in Nelson on Saturday 21 November.

“In the seven years of this competition we have seen vibrant rural businesses increasingly appeal to urban residents, tourists and the rural community. This has been reflected in the winning rural business woman Joanne Taylor, who has succeeded in pursuing her publishing dream, while also supporting New Zealand’s rural communities,” says Wendy McGowan, National President, Rural Women New Zealand.

Joanne Taylor was the NZ Post sponsored ‘Making it in Rural’ category winner (
watch Joanne’s video here); however, there were three other exceptional category winners:

• Help, I Need Somebody category winner (Sponsored by Irricon Resource Solutions): Bronwyn Muir for providing farmers health and safety advice through OnFarmSafety NZ. Watch Bronwyn’s Video here.
• Love of the Land category winner (sponsored by Agrisea): Marie Taylor for her restoration of native plants through her nursery Plant Hawkes Bay Limited. Watch Marie’s Video here.
• Stay, Play Rural category winner (sponsored by Rural Women NZ): Kate Belcher for her Glenorchy outdoor adventure bike tour company, Revolution Tours. Watch Kate’s Video here.

“This year the judges have awarded additional certificates of special recognition for two dynamic rural women who are contributing to their local community through their entrepreneurial spirit,” says Wendy McGowan.

“Chanelle Purser owner of Carvin Streetwear in Gore impressed us with her retail success and commitment to youth in rural communities. The judges awarded her a Certificate for Emerging Enterprising Young Rural Woman at the awards ceremony. Watch Chanelle’s Video here.

We also recognised another outstanding businesswoman Bridget Canning of WizWireless Limited, for her contribution to rural telecommunications services for Wairarapa residents. The judges admired her dedication and ingenuity, and awarded her a Certificate of Special Recognition as an Enterprising Rural Woman.” Watch Bridget’s Video here.

Photo caption, left to right: Chanelle Purser, Marie Taylor, Joanne Taylor, RWNZ National President Wendy McGowan, Kate Belcher, Bronwyn Muir and  Bridget Canning.

For award winners profile information click here.

For further quotes contact:

Wendy McGowan, National President, Rural Women NZ

Ph: (07) 332 3586 or 027 222 7015