Rural Women New Zealand has commissioned a rose for its centenary created by Matthews Nurseries of Whanganui. Photo: supplied
Stocks of a pinky lilac rose to mark the centenary of the national organisation Rural Women are two thirds sold already.
The Mangamahu-Fordell branch of Rural Women New Zealand commissioned a nearby nursery to breed the new variety for its 100 years.
The floribunda rose displays clusters of soft hued blooms above a bushy growing plant with mid-green foliage.
Committee member Clare Adkins said it was special.
"We came up with this idea of creating a rose in partnership with Matthews Nurseries who are just around the road from us," she said.
Adkins farms near Whanganui with her husband, Grant. As well as farming sheep and beef, the couple grow pumpkins for their seeds.
These are sold through their business Summer Hill Seeds at Okoia.
The rural women's organisation is thrilled with the bloom and fragrance of the new rose.
"They've created a beautiful rose for us. It's very scented because that was our criteria," Adkins said.
"It's a lovely tribute for rural women all over New Zealand."
According to the Whanganui nursery the rose will perform at its best planted in a garden, but can also be grown in a large pot of around 60 litres, so watering and liquid feeding can be done from below to strengthen the root system.
Floribundas are ideal for group planting in borders and hedges. They're also suitable for floral arrangements and picking.
Photo: Supplied
RWNZ marks 100 years
Rural Women New Zealand was first known as the Women's Division of the Farmer's Union and was founded to connect rural women.
Adkins said the strength of the organisation was not to be underestimated. It had stood the test of time by adapting to the evolving needs of rural women and their communities.
"The rural women's movement started about 100 years ago when the ladies who accompanied their husbands down to the national conference of the Farmers' Union got together to form a new group," she said.
The rose commissioned to celebrate the centenary. Photo: Gianina Schwanecke / Country Life
The 16 women shared their experiences of the often hard and lonely times on the farm and with each other.
In its early years the organisation aimed at finding ways of improving living conditions on New Zealand farms.
"They realised they needed to form a group to help support women and children living rurally and in isolation in the 1920s," Adkins said.
Whanganui's Florence Polson from Mangamahu was the first Dominion president.
The organisation received a boost of $250,000 in this month's Budget to expand its reach and continue its work.
"Rural Women New Zealand has been a backbone of rural life for 100 years," Minister for Rural Communities Mark Patterson said.
"This funding will support the important work they do every day - helping connect people to services, building strong local networks, and advocating for rural voices to be heard."
