It is rather fitting that Bay of Plenty-Coromandel Rural Women is closing in on 100 members as the national organisation reaches its century.

Regional leader Mary Nowotarski said membership was slowly growing, with 95 now on board.

Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ), which started as the Women’s Division of the Farmer’s Union in 1925, kicks off its centenary celebrations in July.

Nowotarski said Bay of Plenty-Coromandel Rural Women was marking the national milestone with a cocktail evening in August, followed by 100th-birthday lunches around the region during October and a final lunch in April next year.

The regional leader said she was in the process of starting a lunch group so that members have a place to meet.

“We do not have many branches in the area, and I feel it is a fun way of getting together.”

Region five covers Coromandel to Gisborne, and from the coast to Waikato boundary (Kaimāī Range) and includes the edge of Taupō, which is part of the Rural Women Waikato region.

This is made up of branches serving Colville, Galatea, Ōropi, Rerewhakāitu, Kaharoa, Ngākuru, Te Puke-Rotoehu and Turua.

“Rural women are from all sorts of walks in life and don’t have to be farmers to join,” said Nowotarski.

“They just need an interest in rural life. We have members who live in town as well.”

Personal progression

Nowotarski joined RWNZ in about 2001 when living in the King Country, near Ōtorohanga.

“I became chair of the Otewa branch after a couple of years. I joined so that I could get to know other ladies in the area and also they were having some great fun events.”

Nowotarski shifted to Rotorua in 2012 and became part of the Kaharoa branch, where she is still a member.

She became a committee member of the region and then chair, which led her to become regional leader.

Rural Women’s mission was strengthening, supporting and connecting people and communities.

“Rural Women New Zealand gives rural women a voice,” said Nowotarski. “Within the organisation, we are a trusted voice on issues that affect rural communities.

“We advocate locally, nationally and internationally to ensure the perspectives of New Zealand’s rural women and their families are heard.”

Nowotarski said Rural Women provides opportunities for leadership and personal development, plus networking on a global scale.