Rural Women Leadership Course Offers Invaluable Insights

Sixteen rural women came to Wellington recently from all parts of the country for an inspirational leadership skills programme run by Rural Women New Zealand.

Heather Smith of Waimahaka says Growing Dynamic Leaders was a chance to network with like-minded rural women in the area of professional development.

Midhurst member, Lorna Davies enjoyed meeting so many interesting women with diverse experience and backgrounds and meeting and hearing from many speakers in positions of influence.

During the three day programme the women heard presentations from leaders as diverse as Bryce Johnson of Fish & Game and former Wellington mayor, Kerry Prendergast.

The women visited Parliament at question time and had a meeting with Minister of Women’s Affairs Hon. Jo Goodhew, who updated the women on her current trip to New York for the UN Commission on the Status of Women.

At The Ministry of Social development, the participants learned about the It’s Not OK campaign on family violence, while in-house workshops focused on mentoring and governance, giving presentations, working with the media and influencing local government.

The women practised the skills they’d learned by making presentations to Landcorp, sponsor of the leadership course, on the final day of the programme. these presentations, which were very well received by Landcorp, were a chance to present the grass roots view of members of our organisation and many of the day to day issues and challenges the women face in their rural lives, especially in the areas of education and transport.

Amanda Henriksen, who comes from Darfield says, “I have gained wonderful knowledge on lobbying, governance and strategic planning and hope that his will help with my goals of entering higher roles in Rural Women NZ and local government roles. I am looking forward to working with Rural Women NZ in the future and giving the organisation’s voice in my area, especially with younger members.”

The Growing Dynamic Leaders course is a selected group of women who applied for the spots. It is sponsored wholly by Landcorp. Look for information on next year’s course opening later this year.