Black Heels and Tractor Wheels - Presented by Rural Women New Zealand

Today on the podcast, we chat with Sandra Alfeld. Sandra lives on Glenhope Station, 24,000 acre high country farm, about 30 minutes North of Hanmer Springs. Sandra was previously the National Partnership manager of Meat the Need and Feed Out.  Sandra talks about succession, how off farm income can assist with the pathways to farm ownership, and how to grow your own community.  See omnyst...

From press gallery to presentations, Penny Clark-Hall has a unique value proposition. She's been dissecting and discussing the importance of social license to operate for over half a decade.  We talk about the evolution of the social license conversation and its critical importance still today, for both business and market access. Penny is raising a young family, alongside life on the farm an...

Heather McKay is our inaugural associate board member for Rural Women New Zealand. Today on the podcast we chat about Heather’s career development to date, along with her journey from the West Coast to the Tasman District. We also unpick pathways to dairy farm ownership, taking opportunities as they arise, and the importance of being purposeful in your career. Thanks so much for joining us Heather...

Claire Edwards from the Tora Collective joins us on the Podcast today. We discuss Claire’s journey from Golden Bay to Marlborough and now Tora. From University to bars in Wellington and finding soulmates, to starting a sustainable, catch to order kaimoana business. What strikes us about Claire is her really strong and uncompromising standards and values. She has a deep connection with the consumer...

Today on the Black Heels and Tractor Wheels Podcast we have a great chat with Greer Paterson ✨ Greer lives on the Chatham Islands and provides us with an outlook of how truly unique and different Island life is. She talks us through the first moment she landed on the Chatham Islands, having never heard of it, or been there before she arrived. Her original plans changed and 6 years in, she is stil...

We have a chat with Sandra Matthews, Chair of RWNZ and local community legend. We yarn about engendering volunteering from a young age, developing identity as a woman coming onto a farm from outside, depression and anxiety, and also leadership pathways.  Sandra delivers some stellar advice on governance, leading yourself and leading others. Thank you so much Sandra for being so candid and open wit...

Send us a text We speak to Mel Bennett, a progressive leader in New Zealand's horticulture industry ✨ Mel has come a long way- From accidental beginnings in the avocado sector 🥑 to pivoting into kiwifruit🥝, and now embarking on her new journey as a mum.  We discuss the importance of both backing yourself as well as getting super support in a new journey, building strong relationships, grab...

Send us a text Joining us on the Podcast is Nadine Tunley, CEO of Horticulture New Zealand.  Nadine has always had a very strong connection with the food and fibre sector, having grown up in rural New Zealand. Prior to Hort NZ, Nadine was primarily in the apple and pear industry and Mānuka honey.  Nadine candidly talks to Emma and Claire about surrounding yourself with great people, resilience and...

Send us a text Today on the Black Heels and Tractor Wheels podcast, we have Kate Scott of Landpro joining us for a chat.  Kate is Landpro’s Executive Director, a 2018 Nuffield Scholar and 2023 recipient of the Rabobank Emerging Leader award. Landpro is an environmental consultancy business, working with farmers and growers to help them navigate hurdles and challenges in the environmental space.  K...

Send us a text Hayley Gourley joins us on the Black Heels and Tractor Wheels Podcast this week! Hayley hails from a dairy farm on the West Coast, and has had roles in Skellerup, Pāmu, Rabobank and Environment Canterbury to name a few.   Hayley has spent her career in the food and agribusiness sector, and is extremely passionate about all things Agri.  Hayley talks to us about selling yourself, ack...

Send us a text Next up on the Black Heels and Tractor Wheels Podcast, we have Jen Scoular. Jen is an avocado grower, Board Chair of House of Science NZ, Board Member of International Fresh Produce Association AU & NZ and immediate past CEO NZ Avocado. After 12 years at the helm of NZ Avocado, Jen stepped down earlier this year. After such an exciting career journey, we are very excited to see...

Send us a text Lynley and her husband Matt own Spring Valley farm in Kaituna Valley, in the Wairarapa. The business has won several agricultural awards, including Wairarapa Hill Country Farm Business of the Year, Greater Wellington Balance Farm Environment Awards, Wairarapa Gate to Plate, the NZ Golden Lamb Awards and the Allflex NZ Sheep Industry Award for Innovation. While raising their two sons...

Send us a text Bridgit Hawkins has an incredible resume behind her. Currently, Bridgit is the Chief Sustainability Officer at CropXTechnologies LTD and Chair for various organisations like Bovonic, Agritech and Cropsy Technologies.  Growing up on a farm has led Bridigit into the agriculture industry and she is extremely passionate about making a difference in our sector. Bridgit is also the founde...

Send us a text Today we speak to Dianne Downey, one half of the duo that makes up the Limery. Dianne is based in Wairoa with her husband Paul, where they create 100% pure New Zealand citrus products and juices. As the business has grown, Dianne and Paul have helped grow their community too. They developed Te Rau Haumako, an on-site programme which offers industry experience to local rangitahi. The...

Send us a text Today we talk to Kate Cullwick, one half of the sister duo that makes up Foxtrot Home, which sells ethically made, sustainably produced natural French linen products. Kate is based in Central Hawke’s Bay, on her husband’s family farm.  Having grown up on a beef and sheep farm, Kate and Prue were determined that living rurally would not be an impediment to sourcing their products nor...

Send us a text Today we speak to Eljay Anderson, owner of Rural Health Collective. Rural Health Collective is an online fitness, coaching and mentoring platform. Eljay started her business to share her experience of gaining confidence and strength through physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle.  Eljay offers a range of programmes which are tailored to potential clients’ goals. She has recently d...

Send us a text Today we speak to Sian Noble-Campbell, who hails from the UK but is now based in the Waikato. Sian is a co-founder of the Matahuru Valley Walk, a beautiful walk situated in farmland, with stunning views, several stands of native bush including a kauri grove and of course the Matahuru Stream. As well as the Matahuru Valley Walk, Sian helps run Midlife Downunder, a Facebook page that...

Send us a text Today we speak to Sarah Connor, who hails from Hawke's Bay. She grew up on a farm between Hastings and Taihape on the Ngaruroro River, not far from the Kaweka Ranges. But now she resides in the Capital City, Wellington.  Sarah is the Founder of Menopause over Martinis, a movement and invitation for friends, family and colleagues to talk and learn about perimenopause and menopau...

Send us a text Today we talk to Amelia Dunbar, artist extraordinaire. Amelia  operates both a rural entertainment business and works as an artist from her home in Windwhistle. Having made a decision very early in life that she wanted to remain living rurally, Amelia has been working as an actor/writer /producer of comedy duo The Bitches’ Box. The Bitches’ Box which has toured nationwide delivering...

Send us a text Sisters Dayna and Nicole Buchanan took over the operation of the Craypot in Jackson Bay, South Westland in 2018. Since then they have transformed the menu which features beautifully presented fresh kaimoana and produce from local suppliers.  The Craypot has become a go to place for visitors wanting a truly authentic New Zealand food experience. The Craypot hosts many passing tour gr...

Send us a text Jody Drysdale is Southland born and bred, now living on a farm in Balfour, Southland with her husband Blair and three children.  Jody and Blair had been looking for ways to diversify their farming operation, deciding on hemp. In response to one of her children experiencing skin irritation, Jody researched and developed a recipe to make a soothing cream using her hemp seed oil- resul...

Send us a text Today we talk to Serena Lyders, of Whānau Consultancy Services. As a 6th generation member of a shearing family, the industry and the people in it are close to her heart.  Serena knew from an early age that she wanted to make a difference in the lives of others, especially women and children, and lead change to address the intergenerational trauma and social issues in the shearing i...

Send us a text Today we chat to Miki Coulston, who is based in Te Puia Springs, near Gisborne. As a farm manager on the East Coast, she is super passionate about farming, especially women in farming. Miki was also one of our Activator’s, which a programme to help rural women get their business ideas off the ground. Miki brought her idea, Country and Me, a clothing brand all about providing afforda...

Send us a text Black Heels and Tractor Wheels is back for Season 5! No better day to start off a brand new season than International Women's Day. We chat to one incredible, inspiring, kick-ass woman, Kate Ivey of Kate Ivey Fitness. Kate has recently expanded her business into Australia, and is in the depths of calling for registrations’ for her upcoming 8 week programme, DediKate Rural.  Kate...

Send us a text To celebrate the last episode of Season 4, we have a good ol’ best bits. Thank you to our incredible listeners for tuning in to each episode, we are so very lucky to have you all. And another big thank you to the amazing women we have featured this season (and every season). Stay tuned for S5 in the New Year! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.