from left, Waipā King Country provincial RWNZ centennial committee members Barbara Burden, Denise Powell, Judy Board, Raewyn Marwood and Sue Hall. Photo: Jesse Wood
Rural Women New Zealand has had its 100th birthday.
There were plenty of smiles, hugs and shared memories as women from across Waipā and King Country came together in Te Awamutu to celebrate a remarkable milestone – 100 years of Rural Women New Zealand.
Held at Te Awamutu Bible Chapel last week, the luncheon marked a century of connection, service and quiet support that has helped shape rural communities throughout the region.
As members mingled over lunch, the conversation turned easily to memories – of meetings in small country halls, children underfoot, countless cups of tea, and the simple act of being there for one another when it mattered most.
After a year of planning, Waipā King Country provincial president Denise Powell said the relaxed, friendly atmosphere was exactly what organisers had hoped for.
Waitomo District mayor John Robertson chats to Denise Powell and Judy Board. Photo: Jesse Wood
“I just wish we had 100 people instead of 99. I’m totally happy with how it all went.”
The Waipā King Country provincial includes six branches Arohena, Crossroads, Pōkuru, Te Rahu, Waitanguru and Districts, and Wharepapa South – with around 270 members.
For many women, Rural Women New Zealand has been a constant through generations, offering friendship, purpose and practical help in good times and bad.
That legacy was highlighted during the cutting of the centennial cake by Tui Trow and Olwyn Verhoef.
Tui Trow and Olwyn Verhoef cut the cake at the RWNZ centenary celebration. Photo: Jesse Wood
Trow, who will celebrate her own 100th birthday next month, joined the organisation in 1964 and has been a member for more than 60 years. Verhoef holds the distinction of being the provincial’s longest‑serving member, with an extraordinary 79 years of involvement.
She joined the Te Rore branch in 1947 at just 15 and remained there for 70 years before later moving to the Te Rahu branch. Her commitment spans generations. Daughter Raewyn Marwood also joined at 15 and has gone on to serve as provincial treasurer for more than 25 years.
Centennial committee member Barbara Burden shared her own memories of the organisation.
Centennial committee member Barbara Burden was a longtime member of Maihiihi Rural Women and also remembers attending Ngahape Rural Women with her mother. Photo: Jesse Wood
“My first memory was at the Ngahape branch when the Ngahape Hall was there – I would have been about four,” she said. “I remember going with my mum, but then as we went to school and grew up, that branch closed.”
Burden later rejoined Rural Women when she had children of her own, becoming involved through the Maihiihi branch.
“We took our little kids along and really looked forward to those meetings once a month,” she said.
“It was very community friendly.”
from left, Ōtorohanga District deputy mayor Katrina Christison, Rural Women national interim board chair Nicole Oliver and Waitomo District mayor John Robertson were delighted to celebrate 100 years of Rural Women New Zealand with the Waipā-King Country provincial. Photo: Jesse Wood
Guests included Waitomo mayor John Robertson and Ōtorohanga deputy mayor Katrina Christison, who both acknowledged the organisation’s long‑standing contribution to rural life.
“There are not many organisations that last for 100 years,” Robertson said. “This is a tremendous organisation of women who have helped in rural areas for so many years and have been so important for supporting local communities.”
Entertainment was provided by Kihikihi‑based singer Alice Collins, whose operatic performance concluded with Climb Every Mountain from The Sound of Music, drawing warm applause from the crowd.
RWCENT3: Kihikihi-based opera singer Alice Collins. Photo: Jesse Wood
Centennial committee chair Judy Board read a message on behalf of national centennial committee chair Bronwyn Main, reflecting on the meaning of the milestone.
“We are now in the second half of our centennial year – a time when we reflect, remember and honour our organisation, the members gone before us and the massive contribution we have made, not just to rural women, but to rural communities,” the message said.
As the afternoon wound down, there was a strong sense that while much has changed over the past century, the heart of Rural Women New Zealand remains the same – neighbours supporting neighbours, and service simply given.
The Waitanguru and Districts branch is deep in the heart of King Country, started by Fiona Gower in 2005. Photo: Jesse Wood
This Arohena WDFFNZ banner has a line in remembrance of Cecil Emmett who passed away in the Erebus Disaster, alongside her husband Jack. Photo: Jesse Wood
The centennial cake. Photo: Jesse Wood
