National Board

Meet the RWNZ National Board

RWNZ is an Incorporated Society and is registered with the Charities Commission. The elected National Board consists of the National President, National Finance Chair, and four Board members. Its role as the governance body of the organisation is to establish and monitor the long-term direction of the organisation. The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for managing the day to day affairs of the organisation, the achievement of board-approved strategic goals, annual plans, and objectives.

  • National Finance Chair, Tumuaki Pūtea

    I was raised on a dairy & deer farm in Marui and completed a B Ag Com (Farm Management) and Post Graduate Diploma of Commerce (Financial Management) at Lincoln University. I worked as a Rural Accountant in Ashburton for 13 years, was a partner in an accounting firm in Greta Valley, then my own firm Arawata Chartered Accountants for the last 14 years.

    Alongside this, I have dairy, beef & deer farmed in Maruia since 1989 and deer farmed in Greta Valley since 2000. My two adult sons are both involved in farming. My family has a long history with RWNZ with my mother and grandmother both being members.

    Some of my Community involvement includes the Treasurer or Maruia Community hall for over 20 years, Treasurer of the Hurunui Rugby Club for over 15 years, and Board Member/ Trustee of Special Olympics Canterbury for over 18 years.

  • Board Member, Mema Poari mō Te Waipounamu

    Michelle grew up in South Canterbury, and is guided by the rural values she was raised with; hard work, community spirit resilience and the importance of looking out for one another.

    She has served on the Canterbury Regional Committee of Rural Women New Zealand for the past four years.

    With experience in governance across education, mental health, sport and community trusts. Michelle works as an Agri Business Advisor with KPMG, supporting farming families to build sustainable, resilient enterprises.

    Her approach is always people-first.

    Michelle’s family is her heart and grounding and daily reminder of why we work to build better futures for rural families and communities.

  • Board Member, Mema Poari mō Te Ika ā Maui

    Bronwyn is an intergenerational member with her mother, mother-in-law and numerous aunties as members dating back to the 1940s, and back to CWI in the 1920s. 

    It is in Bronwyn’s nature to contribute and to “get things done”, previously being the Regional Leader in Region 6 Greater Waikato. This Region has grown in recent years with sparkling events and significant fund-raising efforts. 

    As we proudly celebrate 100 years of Service Simply Given, we need a collaborative effort between the Board, the Regions and the members, and we need to promote RWNZ in the wider community. 

  • Board Member, Mema Poari Te Ika ā Maui

    Frances is a newly elected Board member of RWNZ and comes from a 20-year farming career. Frances has been part of RWNZ for six years, progressing from the grassroots to leadership roles including on her regional committee and most recently as regional leader for Canterbury. Frances cares deeply about RWNZ and believes in our values of strengthening, supporting and connecting our rural communities. Frances is also a certified life coach and involved in her local community through Rural Support, Connecting Mid Canterbury Charitable Trust, and Farming Families.

  • Interim Chair & Board Member, Mema Poari mō Te Ika ā Maui

    Nicole is a third generation RWNZ member and brings extensive governance experience, having served on multiple commercial and community boards and as a business owner.

    Nicole’s passion lies with rural communities, particularly in empowering rural women to take on leadership roles and drive positive change.

    Coming into the centennial year, Nicole looks to help shape the next phase of RWNZ, ensuring its future and long-term sustainability.

  • Associate Board Member

    Heather brings a unique combination of professional, not-for-profit and practical farm business capability to her work and leadership. She has worked across local and central government agencies and primary industries and is currently General Manager Environment and Sustainability within the critical minerals sector.

    She also has a range of voluntary leadership experience such as within the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards and Dairy Women’s Network and is a graduate of the AWDT Escalator programme.

    Heather is passionate about rural New Zealand and strives to contribute to positive change at the interface of strong primary industries, thriving communities and a flourishing physical environment, while holding people at the centre of the way she works.

    Formerly West Coast based dairy farmers, Heather and her husband now live in rural Tasman on a lifestyle block with their two teenage children and an assortment of pets and farm animals.