Strong contenders for Enterprising Rural Women Award 2012

Sixteen exciting and innovative businesses are in the line up for the Rural Women New Zealand Enterprising Rural Women Award 2012.

The judges now face the challenging task of choosing the North and South Island and Online Business category finalists.

These three category winners will go on to compete for the title of Supreme winner, Enterprising Rural Women Award 2012.

“This is the fourth year we’ve run the Enterprising Rural Women Award, and it’s encouraging to see the diversity of businesses being run by women in rural areas,” says RWNZ National President, Liz Evans.  “Celebrating their success and raising awareness of women’s entrepreneurship is an important way in which we can help grow dynamic communities.”

Entries in this year’s Telecom North Island category include an alpaca farmer, a bra designer and manufacturer, an importer/retailer, an export-focused food and beverage consultant, a writer, a soil specialist and an educator on biological farming.

The variety of entrants in the new Online Business Award category, sponsored by Fly Buys, illustrates the opportunities that the internet offers and the way it is levelling the playing field when it comes to doing business in a rural location.

The entrants include an online store focused on motherhood resources and products, a writer and author, a natural skincare manufacturer and a dog equipment company.

The South Island category, sponsored by Access Homehealth Ltd, attracted the most entries this year, with businesses ranging from an eco-based tourist park, to a designer clothing manufacturer and retailer, a tourism publisher, a livestock brokering software and support company, a travel broker and a beauty and day spa.

The Enterprising Rural Women Award winners will be announced at a special ceremony to be held on the opening night of the RWNZ national conference in Hawera on Monday 21 May.