This year’s National Conference will be held at the Rydges Latimer in Christchurch in November 2023.
The three-day programme will include the Conference, the RWNZ Annual General Meeting and the NZI Rural Women NZ Business Awards.
The theme is Strengthen, Support, Connect and is reflected in the inspiring and interesting schedule prepared by the National Conference Organising Committee.
The Official Opening will take place at 2pm on Thursday, 23 November. Highlights for the first day include a guest speaker and evening entertainment.
The Annual General Meeting and Business Awards will take place on Friday, 24 November. The AGM will commence at 9.30am with the NZI Rural Women NZ Business Awards starting at 6pm in the evening.
Saturday morning will feature an On the Couch Panel discussion and Laughter Workshop. The Conference will draw to a close at midday.
You can register and pay online here. To do so, you will need to create an account (this is free).
Alternatively, you can fill in this registration form here.
The Organising Committee is also arranging opportunities for visitors to explore Christchurch further on Thursday morning (before the Official Opening) and after the Conference closes on Saturday. More details will be available with the registration information but you may want to take this chance to see this beautiful regenerating city at your leisure.
Rooms have been secured at the Rydges Latimer for National Conference attendees at a preferential booking rate. Secure your room HERE.
National Conference Sponsors
Competitions
Speech Competition 2023
The topic for this year’s Speech Competition is: “Things our mothers taught us, things we’ll teach our children.”
The final of this year’s Speech Competition will take place during the National Conference in Christchurch in November. There are two prizes to be won: the first is the Tarrant Bell which is awarded for the best speech; the second is the Tutaenui Bell which is awarded to the best first time entrant.
Writing Competitions 2023
Entries are now open for the Marlborough Short Story Competition and the Olive Burdekin Prize for Advanced Writers 2023.
The title and theme for this year’s competitions is “A Journey”. Entrants may include a subtitle. View more information HERE.
The closing date for entries for both competitions is Thursday, 31 August 2023. Entries should be posted to Mrs. Jennifer Wiese, 25 Tirimoana Terrace, RD1, Piction 7281 or sent by email to: jen.wiese@icloud.com.
Craft- Christmas Decorations
This year’s craft competition for the Cora Wilding Trophy is a Christmas Decoration.
The Cora Wilding and Wool competitions will be decided at the National Conference. You may either send your entries to the National Office by 1 November or bring them with you to the Conference in Christchurch.
Wool-Woollen Toy
This year’s item for the Wool Competition is a Woollen Toy.
The toy must be safe for pre-schoolers. Decorations (eyes etc) are to be sewn or embroidered or use felt etc. No buttons may be used. Following the competition the toys will be donated to Canterbury Plunket with the permission of the entrants. A maximum of two entries per person will be allowed in each competition.
If you send your Wool Competition entry to the National Office, please can you include a note confirming that you agree (or not) to your entry being donated to Plunket Canterbury.
Lady Blundell Tray Competition
This competition is for the most innovative project completed by a Branch, Group, Provincial or an individual during a one financial year period, and is awarded annually.
The project can be a one-off event or project, or an ongoing activity that is in addition to the usual members’ range of RWNZ activities.
The details of the project must be clearly handwritten on one side of the paper only or typed. Display and other supporting material may also be submitted. Entries may be presented in a digital format. Please also include a copy of the Branch/Group/Provincial details and the number of members in it.
All entries are returned after judging. The closing date for entries to reach National Office is 5pm on Friday, 6 October 2023.