For 100 years, Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) has been quietly yet powerfully shaping the heart of rural life — and now, the organisation is preparing to celebrate a century of connection, advocacy, and grassroots action.

“It’s a real milestone — not just of longevity, but of the place Rural Women New Zealand holds in our communities,” says RWNZ national president Sandra Matthews.

“In a country where rural communities are often called the backbone of New Zealand, I see Rural Women as the supporting backbone - the ones behind the scenes making sure our rural towns and families thrive. That’s part of our mission.”

A major national event is planned for July 2026 to cap off the centennial celebrations, but the momentum is already building.

A centennial book is underway, documenting the organisation’s key milestones and including photos of members from across the decades:  a tribute to the women who’ve shaped RWNZ over the last century.

“There’s also a centennial video going out to all the regions,” Matthews said.

“It will be used nationally too, pulling together images and stories that tell the powerful journey of Rural Women over 100 years.”

One of the most meaningful projects, Matthews said, is the Ancestry Project, which honours the organisation’s roots.

“We’ve got some incredibly dedicated members who have traced relatives of the original 16 women who founded RWNZ,” she explains.

“They’ve been interviewing them, gathering historical insights, and pulling it all together into something really special.

“We’re aiming to release it toward the end of the year.”

In true Rural Women style, there’s also a tangible and beautiful way to mark the occasion: a lilac-hued floribunda rose named ‘Rural Women’, developed by Matthews Nurseries.

The rose will serve both as a living tribute and a fundraiser for local branches.

Centennial events - regional and national - are planned across the country, with updates shared via the RWNZ website and branch Facebook pages.

Matthews says the centennial is not just a celebration of the past, but a vital opportunity to shape the organisation’s future.

She’s encouraging both current and potential members to contribute ideas about what RWNZ should look like in the decades to come.

“We want to be here for another hundred years -  another two hundred, even. I couldn’t imagine a world without Rural Women.

“It’s a hugely important organisation that supports so many charities, builds connections, and stands up for the needs of rural people throughout Aotearoa.”

By Claire Inkson