in this issue...
• Training for homecarers
• Promises in dental health
• Recruiting rural doctors
• Guarding against wildfire
OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF RURAL WOMEN
up s k i llin g
h ome care r s
Photo supplied by Gordon Dackers
Whangarei woman, Hilary Powell, is the first
recipient of a national education bursary provided
by Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) and Access
Homehealth. The $3000 bursary recognises the
need for skilled homecare staff and the extent to
which the work, often done by women, is largely
undervalued by the health industry.
RWNZ National President, Sherrill Dackers says that for too long,
inadequate funding structures within the health sector have meant
that homecare work has been underrated.
“In today’s climate, there is an increased need for skilled workers
to ensure client safety and improved efficiency. This means
investing more money in training, which RWNZ and Access
Homehealth are totally committed to.”
Sherrill explains that this bursary is designed to support the
industry’s growing need for highly-qualified homecare staff and
to reward the commitment demonstrated by women to meet this
need, often at significant personal cost.
RWNZ announced the new bursary earlier this year to celebrate
the 75th birthday of Access Homehealth, one of New Zealand’s
largest home health care providers. Access Homehealth is a
nationwide community-based not-for-profit founded and owned
by RWNZ.
Hilary Powell is the first person to receive this education grant.
With many years of experience in the homecare industry, she
Strengthening Rural Communities
NEW ZEALAND • ISSUE N o . 5, October 2 0 0 4
works for Northland Health where she assesses the support
required by people aged over 65 in their homes. Hilary is currently
studying for a Diploma in Community Social Services at
Northland Polytechnic and, when she graduates at the end of next
year, she plans to complete a Community Social Services degree.
Educated at Whangarei Girls’ High School, Hilary has worked in
the disability sector for about 13 years and has a Post Graduate
Diploma in Rehabilitation. Based at Whangarei Hospital, she has
held her position with community assessment and rehabilitation
for more than four years.
“I enjoy my work because it gives me the opportunity to give
choices to the elderly, unwell and disabled, many of whom have
no idea of the services that are available to them,” Hilary says.
One of the main changes she has noticed during her time in the
disability and homecare field is that more people want to stay in
their homes rather than move to rest homes, so a higher level of
homecare is required. She says that furthering her education gives
her a discipline, complements her work and has the potential to
enhance her career path.
Sherrill Dackers says that that Hilary Powell’s attitude reflects
the level of commitment required by modern homecare staff.
“Hilary has many years experience in the homecare industry. It is
apparent she enjoys her work and is making a difference in this
challenging field.”
Sherrill points out that in the past 20 years, homecare has
undergone dramatic change from a service largely driven by
volunteers. “Today it is a multi-million dollar industry staffed by
professionals who must meet exacting standards. We all have a
part to play in raising the esteem in which homecare work is held.”
Homecare Bursary
The Rural Women New Zealand/Access Homehealth
“Celebrating 75 years of Homecare” Bursary will be awarded
annually to one or more people who work in the homecare
industry and wish to improve their qualifications and skills.
The award is open to both carers and people in management.
For application forms, contact the National Office of Rural
Women New Zealand.
Page 1
editorial by Sherrill Dackers, National President
Last week I had the
pleasure of
presenting the
Inaugural award for
the Rural Women
New Zealand/ Access
Homehealth
‘Celebrating 75 years
of Homecare’
Bursary to Hilary
Powell – refer front
page story. This was
a very special
occasion because Hilary lives in a rural area close to
Whangarei and we were able to hold the event at
Careplus, the local Access Homehealth site. To be able
to do this in my home region gave it special
significance. The presentation was made in front of
30 guests - Hilary’s family, friends and fellow workers
and other local Homecare providers. It was a wonderful
opportunity to ‘celebrate excellence in rural communities’.
This, my theme for the year, is something I feel passionate about.
There is much to celebrate within our organisation and I believe
we should take every opportunity to do so.
Our commitment over the years to homecare is one such example.
We have been role models, ‘stylesetters’ in developing various
areas of care especially within rural communities. As both
providers and consumers of homecare services it is fitting that
we should now be amongst the leaders in urging the Government
to support the people who work in the homecare industry.
You will all be aware of the emphasis we have been placing
recently on the need for better wages, qualifications and
recognition of travel costs for homecare workers. As pioneers of
homecare in rural areas it is very appropriate that we should be
highlighting this cause. Our stance has recently been endorsed
by the Agricultural Health and Safety Council, who recognise
the importance of providing homecare for accident victims,
disabled people and the elderly. Without RWNZ, many rural
people would not have this service available to them.
The modern homecare worker probably bears little resemblance
to the Bush Nurses of 1927, although the Bush Nurse of that time
was undoubtedly a woman of great ability in medical matters, as
well as being adaptable to many varied situations. Now, modern
methods, safety regulations and employment rules demand a much
higher degree of skill and consequently reimbursement. In the
future Access Homehealth will need to employ well-qualified and
trained people to carry out this vital work.
In order to be seen as reputable and good employers and deliverers
of service we must stand up and be counted. For the future of
Access Homehealth, the safeguarding of workers like Hilary, and
the care and well being of the sick and elderly in rural
communities, we must be vocal. Our history demands that we
should continue to keep watch over and ‘celebrate excellence in
rural communities.’
Page 2
C onfessions
of a Rural Woman
If there is one thing that marks the change in seasons for me, it
is the shift in conversational focus with fellow rural women. I
always know that Spring has well and truly sprung when my
chats become entrenched in obstetric matters.
Last week I got a panic email from my friend, Toni:
“Ewe 99 is in labour! I am so nervous! I won’t be able to do
anything meaningful this afternoon. Will let you know the
outcome. Twins expected.”
I immediately went into a sympathetic spin .
Last year, Toni had a very bad run with her lambing. Of all the
coloured sheep that she keeps in her house paddock, only one
successfully gave birth.
At the time, Toni was pregnant with her first child so the ordeal
of witnessing so much infant mortality was almost more than
she could bear. I felt for her maternal anguish at every still-birth
and cold, rain-soaked body. It’s even harder to be philosophical
about lambing stats when your body is raging with hormones.
This lambing season, Toni has 8-month-old bouncing baby
Dylan, and her coloured ewes are lining up for another go at
motherhood. Her next email was jubilant:
“Success so far – triplets! One stillborn and deformed, two live
and doing well. A boy and a girl (I think.) Wow – super mum!”
I cheered in relief. Gone was the painful anxiety around last
year’s lambing.
Next morning the following email tumbled from my inbox like
a lead weight:
“Well it ended up being quite a dramatic night. After feeding
Dylan his dinner, I went back out to check lambs to find the last
one abandoned and almost dead – freezing cold and wet.”
Does nature’s cruelty know no bounds? I breathlessly read on...
“With Dylan on my back we started a rescue mission and brought
lamb into a hot bath. Lamb too weak to keep head up so then I
was stuck with hand in bath under lamb’s head and Dylan on
my back and Jeff [husband] not due back for over an hour ! Oh
boy. Talk about multi-tasking.”
“Managed to ring neighbour who came to help out and dried
lamb with hair drier and towels and put onto heated tiles until
she recovered. Very sweet little girl lamb.”
“She needed feeding every couple of hours through the night so
Jeff and I are feeling pretty tired today. Getting colostrum off the
ewe is a bit more of a mission. Can’t catch her by myself so now
lamb has to wait. She seems to be hanging in there – as does her
brother out in the paddock. So fingers crossed for both of them!”
Indeed, every rural woman who knows the unique joys and
pain of Spring will have their fingers crossed. There is
nothing quite like daily contact with the raw cycles of life and
death to make you appreciate the colour of daffodils.
Margaret Richardson
Strengthening Rural Communities

national office activities
Rural Women New Zealand is persuing the following issues:
Education
• A further increase in boarding bursaries is required to cover
price rises over the past decade.
Health
• RWNZ National Office has endorsed a number of suitable
candidates for ministerial appointments onto District Health
Boards. These appointments will be made to address
imbalances in representation of minority groups, including
rural.
• Can the increase in ACC levies to farmers be justified?
Social
• How can the standard of rural phone services be improved?
Land
• Land access - see below.
submissions
Rural Women New Zealand has recently made the following
submissions (See www.ruralwomen.org for details):
• Funding and safety of boarding school students.
• Oral presentation to Select Committee on the Charities Bill
as it impacts rural communities. Presentation made by
RWNZ Deputy President, Margaret Chapman and
Executive Officer, Jo-Anne Stokes.
• Telecommunications - rural coverage not good enough.
publicity
National Media releases - see www.ruralwomen.org
• “Charities Bill - the rural perspective,” 6 September.
• “Rural Women New Zealand oppose legallised trespass,”
16 August.
la nd a c c e s s
The media has reported the issue on Land Access as an urban
versus rural issue. Recreational users want access to public
land over private land without compensation or adherence to
any government legislation affecting health and safety,
biosecurity etc. At the same time, rural land owners want to
preserve their property rights, which have been eroded over
time through various acts, such as the Resource Management
Act and Public Works Act.
RWNZ feels that a commonsense approach should be taken,
rather than media, government and other factions polarising
view points and leading to heavy-handed legislation.
RWNZ is currently seeking an assurance from the government
that that any decision surrounding landowners rights become
open to public debate. For more information see http://
www.ruralwomen.org/landaccess.htm
Strengthening Rural Communities
issues
promises in dental health
The dental health of New Zealand children is provided
for by Dental Therapists (DTs), previously known as
Dental Nurses. DTs are funded by District Health
Boards (DHB) to provide dental health services for
children in primary and intermediate schools. Last year
RWNZ became aware that this system was in serious
difficulty due to a lack of staff, particularly in regions
with a high rural component.
Research carried out by RWNZ confirmed that the
number of DTs employed were diminishing as more
attained retirement age. Recruitment of trainees into
dental therapy has been insufficient to replace existing
DTs, let alone boost their numbers to the level required
for adequate coverage of schools.
DHB policy states that children are eligible for one visit per year
with a DT, and two visits per year if they are from a lower socio-
economic group, or have dental care issues. The visit should be
of 30 minutes duration and take into account dental care and
prevention. This policy does not allow for the extra costs
associated with servicing rural areas, and a shortage of staff overall
means that many children are missing out on dental visits.
Over the past 12 months, RWNZ has raised this issue with the
Ministry of Health, the Director General of Health, the Ministry
of Agriculture and Forestry, and all District Health Boards in the
country. In doing so, RWNZ identified a breakdown between the
Ministry of Health and DHBs as to what should be provided.
It is of additional concern that there is no differentiation between
urban and rural communities, meaning that no allowance is made
for the barriers of isolation. Rural areas represent a mixture of
socio-economic status, unlike urban centres which tend to be
suburb-specific. This makes it very difficult for DHBs to honour
their commitment as stated in policy.
RWNZ notes that there are greater distances for a DT to cover in
servicing rural children, allowing less time for visits. Rural
children are also less likely to have fluoridated water and small
suppliers are unlikely to add chemicals to their water due to
compliance issues. This may mean a lower standard of dental
health in rural areas, regardless of socio-economic status.
RWNZ has since received assurances from Associate Minister of
Health, Ruth Dyson and Minister of Rural Affairs, Damian
O’Connor, that the issue would be reviewed.
The Ministry of Health recently acknowledged that New Zealand’s
School Dental Service is facing a number of challenges following
two decades of relative neglect. They have stated that the
prevalence of tooth decay varies considerably from region to
region. In some areas, such as those with low level of fluoride in
water supplies, lower socio-economic communities and remote
rural areas, children are more severely affected by tooth decay.
The Ministry of Health and DHBs are now working together to
improve oral health services for children and adolescents. Over
the next few months, DHBs will be consulting their local
communities and school Boards of Trustees on proposed changes
to the way school dental care is provided.
Page 3
feature t a ck ling the
rural doctor shortage

The steady decline in numbers of

Rural GPs is a source of growing

Photo courtesy of Environment Waikato

concern throughout New Zealand.
RWNZ members in the Coromandel
area got behind a community initiative
to reverse this disturbing trend.

Waihi Provincial President, Frances

Bicknell says that a couple of years ago,
their community was desparate to attract
new doctors. At the time, they only had
three GPs left in the area. “The work
pressure faced by GPs in small towns is
so bad that New Zealand doctors don’t
want to take these jobs.”
Waihi and Waihi Beach share the difficulties of many isolated
A public meeting was called and a group of concerned rural communities who struggle to provide the health services
citizens got together to form the Waihi/Waihi Beach Rural Doctors necessary to support the district.
Support Group. RWNZ was the first organisation to donate money
for the establishment of a fund to assist the recruitment of new
and RWNZ member, is also supportive of the scheme. Earlier
doctors. The purpose of this committee was to alleviate the
this year, the project gained recognition by reaching the finals of
pressure on GPs whereever possible and attract doctors from
the National Health Initiative Award.
overseas.
Support from the District Health Boards has been variable, with
One of the major concerns for GPs in small practices is the
the Waihi/Waihi Beach communities straddling two different
frequency of after-hours work. A roster arrangement with doctors
health districts. “The Waikato DHB has contributed a lot of
in surrounding districts was developed to spread the emergency
support, while the Western Bay DHB has barely been interested.”
load. “This meant that local doctors could have weekends free on
Frances says that this disparity has given them insight into how
a more regular basis,” Frances says.
health boards can vary enormously in the way they operate.
The group also helps to fund training of local nurses and
Overall, the community support has been sufficient to establish
paramedics to reduce the demands on doctors. “Skilled nurses
two German doctors and one South African, who are now well-
and ambulance staff can take a lot of responsibility in routine
settled in the area. This has greatly relieved the pressure on the
situations, so we help these people out with their educational
original doctors serving Waihi/Waihi Beach. “Our aim at the
expenses.”
moment is to attract a woman doctor, since many people like to
The biggest challenge faced by the committee was attracting have that choice,” Frances says.
overseas applicants to the positions. Foreign doctors must meet
The success of this initiative has attracted interest from many
very strict crtieria and suitably qualified candidates can easily
other communities around the country who are faced with similar
get high-paid jobs elsewhere. Playing up the virtues of a
problems. While the government talks about finding solutions to
Coromandel lifestyle, Waihi eventually managed to recruit a
the rural doctor shortage, it takes the concerted efforts of
number of new doctors. The support group assisted them with
individuals in the communities themselves to actually make it
travel and relocation costs, supplying them with a home and a
happen.
hearty welcome.

Aside from offering support to the new doctor, it is equally

important to look after their partner and family. For newcomers
Helping to
to a small, relatively isolated community, there can be significant
secure health
language and cultural barriers to contend with. “When doctors care in Waihi
are working long hours, it is easy for their wives to feel incredibly for future
isolated.” Frances says that the support group keeps in regular generations,
contact with the medical centre to ensure that doctor’s families RWNZ
are settling in. “Making an effort to maintain social contact is memberFrances
very important.” Bicknell is
pictured with
Support for the initiative has been generous, with previous her
Coromandel MP Jeanette Fitzsimmons acting as a strong ally in granddaughter
the early stages. Current MP Sandra Goudie, herself a dairy farmer Jacqui.

Page 4 Strengthening Rural Communities

 our people
country at heart celebrating excellence
Suzanne Prentice is a professional entertainer with in rural communities
an international singing career. She has spent 33
years in the music industry, performing from
Australia’s Gold Coast to London’s West End. Yet for RWNZ Deputy President
all the glitter of her lifestyle, there is no changing Margaret Chapman has been
the fact that Suzanne is a country girl at heart. appointed to an advisory group
that provides guidance to Meat
Born in Myross Bush near Invercargill, Suzanne was raised and Wool New Zealand on the
on a Southland farm. She believes that there is no better development of skills and
grounding for a child than to grow up in a farming area. “A education within the industry.
rural kid has a far more rounded education than city kids.
They end up so much better equipped to handle whatever life The purpose of the group is to
throws at them,” she says. ensure that enough people of the right skills and
experience are entering meat and wool farming, and
Suzanne’s appreciation of provincial New Zealand has shaped that adequate investment is being made to developing
many of her lifestyle decisions. No matter where her career future leadership.
takes her, she always returns to her home in Invercargill, where
she lives with her police-officer husband, Steve Dalton. Their first meeting identified key industry needs and
began work on a three year strategy to meet priorities.
The popular singer has lost count of how many times people
get a surprise when they find out where she lives. “Really? Margaret is involved with the group as a RWNZ
Why would you want to live down there?” they ask. Suzanne representative, co-ordinator of the South Canterbury
is adament that New Zealand’s smaller cities are frequently Women in Farming group, and as a partner in a sheep
underrated and that provincial areas deserve more respect than and beef farming company.
they receive through the media. “Rural areas and people are
often portrayed in a very condescending way by urban-based
media and celebrities. It is a very arrogant perspective.”
Wilma Tansley of Mapua-
In a bid to help promote provincial Southland, Suzanne has Mahana Branch received a
decided to enter local body politics. Taking a step back from Community Service award
her musical career, she is standing for the first time for election from Tasman District
on the Invercargill Licensing Trust Board. Council.

Over the years, she has used her skills in other ways to assist
New Zealand communities. Her most notable voluntary
contribution has been through the Kids for Kids programme
that encourages children to participate in musical activities.
Currently promoting her latest book Keeping it Off, Suzanne
shares the lessons of her challenge with overeating. As a sequel
to the bestseller One Day at a Time, this book describes her
quest for maintained health confidence and self-esteem.
Far from being just another diet book, this is a story about
overcoming life’s hurdles by adopting the right mental
attitude. “No matter what
your particular demon is in
life, the same basic rules
apply,” she explains.
To go in the draw for a free
copy of Suzanne’s
inspirational story, write
your name and address on
the back of an envelope
and send to:
The Editor, Rural Women
Magazine, PO Box 12-
021, Wellington.
The draw will be made on
November 30th.
Wilma recently completed
a four-year term as Chair of
the Mapua-Ruby Bay
Residents and Ratepayers
Association.
Under Wilma’s leadership
the committee has been
involved with fruitgrower chemical - site clean up,
streetscaping, the foreshore protection programme, estuary
enhancement, future walkways, highway safety realignments,
pedestrian safety and road signage.
Rosina Robb
Loiuse Croot of Dunedin has been re-
elected vice-president of the
International Federation of University
Women for a second three-year term.
Louise is believed to be the second
New Zealander to have served in this
role. She is focusing on a programme
for action, which will promote women
as agents for change in education.
Louise has a BA in geography and a graduate diploma in
regional and resource planning, both from Otago University.
She is also a member of the Otago Regional Council.

Strengthening Rural Communities Page 5

branchline welcome to new friends r ur al wo m en
Individual: Jenny Royne (Lake Tekapo), Rosalind
Thomson (Christchurch), Wendy Miller (Taupo).
make a difference
Kaitaia: Pauline Brennan.
Kakahu: Tania Coles, Andrea Walls, Yvonne
Williams, Kaye Jackson.
Te Moana Four Peaks: Ann Harper.
Thornbury: Linda Templeton.
Pakawau: Krislina Ross, Nicola Basham.

farewell to old friends

Aoroa: Mabel Mills.
Central Otago: Betty Jackson.
Franklin: Madge Hyland.
Glenmore/Manuka: Sheila McKee.
Hokonui: Mabel O’Connor. Bainham Branch members from the Golden Bay area: (Back row
from left) Michelle Riley, Wendy McLellan, Norma Riley, Betty
Martinborough: Clare Smith.
Pomeroy. (Front row from left) Lynne Etheredge, Carolyn
Poolburn Moa Creek: Florrie Webster.
McLellan, Linda McLintock.
Rerewhakaaitu: Peggy Wilson.
Stoke: Lily Winter.
golden bay mater nity ser vices
Te Moana Four Peaks: Ruth Gumbrell.
Waverley: Gwen Lee, Joan Tomasi. Residents of the South Island’s northernmost tip understand that
by making a choice to live in a rural area, distance and isolation
Wainui: Margaret More.
demand a greater level of independance than normal.
Waitui: Helen Meyer. Nevertheless, there are certain times when women need basic
May They Rest in Peace levels of professional support, and giving birth is one of them.
RWNZ members of Bainham Branch in Golden Bay became
honours board concerned that mothers and newborn babies in the area were
missing out on vital services.
Branch Life Membership
Mapua-Mahana: Nancy Thomas. To quantify the extent of this problem, Bainham Branch conducted
Oamaru: Juliana Breen, Irene McEachen. a survey of women in the area who had given birth over the past
5 years. The results showed that women who return to Golden
Rerewhakaaitu: Nancy Koopal, Ruth Rolston, Mary
Bay following a Caearean birth often felt vulnerable and isolated.
Burge, Dorothy Moselen, Margaret Rhys.
The shortage of local midwives and Public Health Nurses meant
Winchmore: Gwenda Hansen. that these women often lacked the support they needed to care
Branch Bar of Honour for their baby.

Albury: Margaret O’Neill. Due to complications in labour, about half of Golden Bay’s babies
Oamaru: Mabel Mann. are born in Nelson. Mothers returning home say they need a better
system that ensures babies and little children are kept in the loop;
National Service Award that appointments are made and kept; and that parents feel secure
Hazelburn: Norma Crawford. in the knowledge that there is someone who can help - not just on
Fridays.

Once Bainham
Branch brought
these issues to the
Ashburton Guardian

attention of the
District Health
Board, steps have
been taken to fill
gaps in maternity
Gwenda Hansen of Ashburton was granted services.
Branch Life membership of Winchmore for
26 years of dedication to branch activities.

Page 6 Strengthening Rural Communities


me mb e r h o nou red for s er vic e
South Canterbury Provincial recently presented a National Service
Award to Norma Crawford of Hazelburn Branch. Norma joined
WDFF as a young member in 1945 and took an active part in
their activities. Since then, she has served in numerous official
roles at Branch and Provincial level, including chair of the
Provincial Homecare committee.
Norma is a life member of ACWW and has participated in
international conferences, both as a delegate and organiser. Her
other interests include being a Director of the South Island Black
and Coloured Sheep Breeders’ Organisation.
Norma’s contribution to her local rural community has been
immeasurable.
Pictured from left: Margaret O’Neill (South Canterbury
Provincial President), Margaret Chapman (President Hazelburn
Branch),Norma Crawford, Margaret Chapman (Vice-President
RWNZ).
Mahakipawa Branch held
a “Time to Remember”to
raise money for the
Marlborough Hospice.
Kaikoura MP Dr Lynda
Scott spoke about
palliative care.
Greymouth Branch members gather to celebrate the 70th Wedding
Anniversary of Jean and Ernie Cooks. (Jean seated at centre).
Greymouth rural women remain active in environmental
restoration initiatives.
Strengthening Rural Communities
noticeboard
B O P flood fu nd
RWNZ has collected over $47 500 for the Bay of
Plenty flood fund. This includes a dollar for dollar
contribution from the Mayoral fund.
Those affected by the floods who wish to apply for
emergency relief, contact Tini Wetting on (07) 308
8975 or write to her at 17 Martin Place, Whakatane,
or email wettingt@e3.net.nz
be e f and lam b d e m os
A series of Cooking Demonstrations are now
underway around the country, courtesy of the Beef
and Lamb Marketing Bureau. For details of a
demonstration near you, contact your Regional
Councillor or see the calendar of events on
www.ruralwomen.org.
North Auckland Provincial President, Marilyn
Hutchings pictured (at left) with June McCabe of
Westpac. Author of “Women 2 Women” June was
motivational guest speaker of the Northland Women
in Business seminar held in September.
women in business seminars
Westpac Women in Business seminars are being offered
in regions throughout the country. These are tailored for
people running home-based and agricultural businesses.
Contact your Regional Councillor or visit
www.ruralwomen.org for details.
Page 7
protecting your home
from wildfires
Since 1988 an average of 7000ha of rural lands (including forests) significant reduction in fire intensity and spread can be obtained
is burned every year. The problem of vegetation fires is increasing by using driveways, paths, maintained lawns and widely spaced
due to extreme weather events and the spread of urban housing trees to break up continuous vegetation.
into rural areas. As a result, many householders living in rural
Rank grass, dead leaves, branches and loose bark should be
areas, or on the urban fringe, face dangers from wildfires.
removed from vegetation and in roof gutterings, and wood heaps
The best way to protect your home is to be careful what you plant and other flammable substances stored away from the house.
around it. The flammability of vegetation affects fire intensity,
Forest Research has completed a study to rank the flammability
which has a major influence on fire control and the chance of
of native species that are commonly used in gardens. Shrubs that
homes being damaged or destroyed.
do not burn easily include leafy species with thin branches, such
Fire researcher Grant Pearce, of Forest Research in Christchurch, as five-finger, karamu and lancewood. On the opposite end of
explains that the replacement of highly flammable species with the scale are kanuka and manuka, which contain a lot of volatile
plants that are slow to burn can reduce fire hazard and help create oils and have low moisture content.
a defensible space around your home and farmyards. Provision
Common garden species such as tree ferns, cabbage trees and flax
of adequate defensible space not only reduces the impact of the
have a moderate to high classification. The flammability of these
flames from the fire, but also provides a zone from which
increases with age due to the build up of dead material. Even their
firefighters can safely defend the property.
green foliage can burn easily and flaxes are sometimes known to
Defensible space is achieved by creating an area around your explode when burnt. Grant says that these types of plants are not
house where flammable material, such as vegetation and wood recommended for green breaks or for planting in defensible space.
heaps have been reduced. Creating defensible space does not mean
that all trees and shrubs need to be removed - well-kept lawns
and gardens provide little fuel for wildfires.
flammability of native plant species
Low Moderate High
The size and shape of your denfensible space depends on the
slope and aspect of your property, as well as prevailing wind Kotukutuku Flaxes Kanuka
strength and the nature of the surrounding fuel. Lancewood Cabbage tree Manuka
Five finger Rimu
Overseas experience shows that the preferred option is for this Coprosma spp Tawa
area to extend for 100 metres, but this is difficult for homeowners Papauma/Broadleaf Kauri
to achieve. A zone of at least 30-50 metres is recommended. A Kahikatea

Official Journal of Rural Women New Zealand • PO Box 12021, Wellington • Tel 04 473 5524 • Fax 04 472 8946

Email enquiries@ruralwomen.org.nz • www.ruralwomen.org • ISSN no 1171-4425

Editor: Head Office, PO Box 12021 Wellington • Printer: Precise Print & Design, Paraparaumu

Page 8 Strengthening Rural Communities