Rural Women provincial meeting

To: Carol Pedersen, Branch President of Rural Women New Zealand;  to: Jacky Stafford JP, National Finance Chairperson of Rural Women New Zealand and Chair of the Rural Education Reference Group;  to distinguished guests; greetings, kia ora,  kia orana,  fakalofa lahi atu,  taloha ni (sign ‘good afternoon').  These are all of the languages of the Realm of New Zealand English, Māori, Cook Island Māori, Nuiean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language.

Thank you for inviting me to address this Tararua provincial meeting of Rural Women New Zealand.  I would like to take this opportunity to speak about my role in supporting my husband as Governor-General, and my role as your Patron.  I will also touch on initiatives of Rural Women New Zealand.

We have visited the Hawke’s Bay in the past, since Anand was appointed as Governor-General in August 2006 and there was the regional visit we made in March 2007.  In February 2008 we came for the Waitangi Day celebrations held at Farndon Park, and in March 2008 we opened the Opouahi Kiwi Crèche.  Anand also presented and I attended the annual Robson Lecture and Pilot City Awards in April 2008.

I support Anand in his official duties as the representative of Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of New Zealand.  At constitutional occasions, notably the swearing in of the new Government and the opening of the new Parliament late last year, I take part.  There are also various ceremonial events of which Anzac Day commemorations and Waitangi Day celebrations are examples.  The visits of Heads of State to New Zealand are cermonial and Anand has accepted the credentials of the foreign diplomats arriving during his term.  Travelling has included State visits to Australia, Canada, Mongolia, India and beautiful, sometimes difficult to reach, Pacific nations.  At the 90th Commemorations of the Battle of Passchendale in Belgium, at the Beijing Olympics and most recently at the commemorations at Gallipoli we have been privileged to represent New Zealand.

The investiture ceremonies for those honoured in the New Year and  Queen’s Birthday Honours lists are highlights of our domestic responsibilities and we travelled widely throughout New Zealand just have we have travelled to this region, meeting New Zealanders who are striving to make ours a better nation. 

These are described as community aspects of the Governor-General’s term.  I have given you examples of the three main components of the Governor-General’s responsibilities; Constitutional, Ceremonial and Community.

An aspect of being the spouse of the representative of New Zealand’s Head of State is being asked to serve as patron for organisations in the same way that the royal family of Britain does.  After discussion we have limited the organisations to those we can actively participate in and have a national coverage and we tried to align the groups with our own interests.  Included are charitable, cultural, sporting, health and sporting groups and they had to be organisations that we believed to be worthy of vice-regal support.  I have agreed to be the Patron of organisations to which I felt that I could relate.  Rural Women New Zealand, has been a strong advocate for rural women and rural communities since 1925 and I am honoured by the association with you.

One of my uncles had a family which included three children of our ages.  They had a dairy farm at Okauia, near Matamata and another uncles’ family had slightly younger children and a farm near Katikati.  I have fond memories of school holidays on these farms, at AMP Shows and in rural neighbourhoods.  My grandfather was a farmer near Waharoa and my father bore a small scar on his face of being gored by a bull when young.

Rural Women New Zealand sets as its vision the goal of being “the leading organisation that enriches rural communities for all New Zealanders.”    While it is a short statement, that vision contains several key elements.

The first element is that Rural Women New Zealand should be a "leading organisation".  I have met with Rural Women on many occasions now and I am always uplifted by the breadth of initiatives and caring that you pursue. 

The latest Yearbook, states in the national policy statements the organisation has developed on health, education, social issues and land issues.  Rural Women New Zealand has made submissions before the government on issues from the establishment of the Walking Access Commission, the Public Health Bill, tertiary education reviews, school transport, direct resourcing and changes to sexual and domestic violence legislation.

It has been on the front foot in a host of other initiatives such as the inaugural Enterprising Rural Woman Awards.  I attended the presentation on the evening of the first day of this year’s conference.  The finalists, Beverley Forrester and Jan Bolton, and the winners Jenny Bargh and Kath and Kiri Elworth of Tora Coastal Walk revealed both the diversity and depth of contribution that rural women make to business in rural New Zealand.  The award highlights the innovative ways women are contributing to the rural economy, and their determination to succeed in the face of the extra challenges presented by the difficulties in accessing technology and geographical location.

The second element of Rural Women New Zealand’s vision is that it "enriches rural communities".  An example of this that I have been particularly impressed with is that of tackling leptospirosis.   The disease is one that most urban dwellers are not aware of but the reality is that it is New Zealand’s most common, occupationally-acquired, infectious disease.

Soon after the 2008 conference, former president, Sherrill Dackers and a Massey University researcher, Dr Jackie Benschop got together to address this issue.  The wider organisation backed their efforts, raising more than $107,000 towards research into leptospirosis.

Enriching rural communities is not all about big campaigns, important as they are.  Social gatherings, which offer members the opportunity for friendship, and evenings with guest speakers where members can learn and discuss new issues and perspectives.  The 14 members of the Ashley Clinton branch vary in age from the 30-year-olds through to quite old indeed.  The span represents an amazing depth of knowledge that extends back to end of the First World War.

The final aspect of Rural Women New Zealand’s vision is that its work is “for all New Zealanders.”    For most New Zealanders who live in cities, it is easy to forget that rural New Zealand forms the backbone of our nation’s economy. 

That contribution is more than just dairy, meat, wool and forestry, it is also the host of tourism ventures from skiing, tramping, rural bed and breakfasts to businesses such as the finalists of the Enterprising Rural Women Award.  These give depth to the rural contribution to our well-being as a nation.

All aspects of the vision are important as New Zealand and the world face the current economic situation. 

In difficult times, rural women and their families need support and companionship. Stresses are often played out in the home and children and the elderly can bear the brunt. Rural Women New Zealand and Federated Farmers are well placed with their networks within the community, offering an ear and practical help.   Their political nous and established lobbying links give rural people an incentive to become involved. 

The joy of rural life, the great outdoors and the variety of activities enjoyed in the country you should celebrate.  I know the city envies much that you have in abundance.  I commend you on your work and I wish you all the best for your future.   

No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tēnā koutou katoa.