NZI is once again proud to be the premier partner of the Rural Women New Zealand Business Awards – awards that celebrate the outstanding achievements and attitudes of rural businesswomen.
“The Awards recognise outstanding efforts and achievements for an emerging business, and in other categories that matter to most Kiwis – love of the land, creative arts, innovation, and the outstanding contributions of individuals who go the extra mile - Rural Champions,” says Jon Watson, National Manager – Rural Broker Business for NZI.
2018 has seen a refresh for the Awards, a change in name from the Enterprising Rural Women Awards, the introduction of a two-stage application process and introduction of a two-stage application process and new award categories.
The categories for the NZI Rural Women New Zealand Business Awards 2018 are:
Emerging business: Awarded to a business starting out on its journey and achieving exceptional results. Open to businesses that have been running from 2 – 5 years.
Love of the Land: Harnessing the potential of New Zealand’s land, environment, or products of the land to create a successful business enterprise.
Creative Arts: A business specialising in the creative arts working in a rural environment or using rural materials.
Innovation: An enterprise that challenges the status quo to bring something new and innovative to the market or utilising rural resources in an innovative way.
Rural Champion: A person or business who champions the rural sector or a rural enterprise – an outstanding contributor who goes above and beyond the normal in their support of rural enterprise.
From the category winners, an overall Supreme Winner will be chosen.
Watson is looking forward to being part of the Awards again, noting that RWNZ and NZI share similar values of community and enterprise.
“Rural Women New Zealand are progressive and involved in important social and environmental issues. They provide support for rural women, families and communities - that you often don’t hear about. There is great synergy and sponsoring the Awards is a way that we can recognise great work.”
Entries for the first stage close on 1 August – so be sure to get in quick with your entry or to nominate any amazing women.
Businesses who enter the awards have a great opportunity to showcase themselves and attract media coverage and promotional prospects. Winners also receive a year of membership with Rural Women New Zealand, prize money and a trophy.
Read more on last year’s supreme award winner Debra Cruickshank and how RWNZ and the Awards have helped her business grow, and for more information plus entry forms, see ruralwomen.org.nz/businessawards.