Rural Women New Zealand Journalism Award

Applications are now open for the Rural Women New Zealand Journalism Award.

This award has been secured by Rural Women New Zealand in a partnership with the New Zealand Guild of Agricultural Journalists and Communicators.  

The award has been established to recognise the important contribution women make in the rural community, either through their role in the farming sector or to the general rural environment, in its broadest interpretation.

In the past the award category has been very popular as it encourages journalists to report on the achievements of women living and working in rural communities. The award recipient will demonstrate excellent understanding of issues and effectively communicate women’s responses to farming, family and business challenges, in way which both inspires and informs readers.

Entry details:

• Entries must be of TWO articles /programmes based on the theme of “rural women making a difference”. This could be in the sense of community involvement, on farm or in another rural-based business or activity.
• Any New Zealand-based journalist or communicator is eligible to enter the award. You can only put in one entry per person, unless part of another shared entry.
• Entries must have been published, broadcast or delivered in the 12 months to August 31, 2016. Entries must not be advertising or advertorial. The Award can be made to a group or team. If a team wins the Award, it is to be shared between those named on the entry form.
• The Award will be judged on the overall quality of writing or scripting, how interest is captured and complexity explained, and also on the choice and relevance of any supporting information. In particular, readers/listeners/viewers have to be informed, and develop an understanding of the contributions made by the woman / women in their particular field.
• The judges will not consider aspects out of control of the entrants e.g. layout, headlines and other display problems. Entrants must however make clear on the entry form which aspects of the submission were beyond their control.
• The winner will receive $750. Judging will be in September and the prize awarded at the Guild Awards Dinner in Wellington on 14 October 2016. Where necessary, the costs for the winner to travel to the dinner will be paid
• Entries close 6 September 2016.

Click here to download the entry form or click here for the NZ Guild of Agricultural Journalists and Communicators website