Women join Meat and Wool board

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Two women directors have been elected to the Meat and Wool New Zealand board, displacing men already involved in the industry's power structures.

Kirsten Bryant, of Fordell, has been elected to represent the Western North Island ward and Anne Munro of Fairlie, to represent the Central South Island.

Mrs Bryant was elected with 9620 votes, beating Manawatu farmer Tony Gray (5879) for a seat in which Ron Frew did not seek re-election. The voting return percentage was only 25.25 percent, even though Mr Gray is Federated Farmers' Manawatu/Rangitikei meat and fibre chairman.

During campaigning Mrs Bryant said she was motivated to stand when farmers in her area told Agriculture Minister David Carter that hill country farming was on its last legs.

"If that goes, the whole face of New Zealand agriculture changes," she said. "Meat and Wool NZ has got the horsepower and resources to hammer that home to the government because I don't really think they want all our hills planted in trees".

Mrs Munro of Wairewa Station received 8890 votes to beat incumbent director, David Douglas (7480). The voting return was 38.92 percent.

Mrs Munro said in her campaign that the region needed to see democracy in action and Mr Douglas had to be challenged "to give farmers a choice".

"I think David has been there long enough, two terms is all you need to make a difference," she said.

Mrs Munro said she would bring a women's perspective to the board, as well as a focus on accountability, and an approachable nature.

Both new directors will start their electoral term from the Meat and Wool NZ annual meeting on March 24.

Six of the directors are elected by farmers, representing three electorates in the North Island, and three in the South Island. Their terms are for three years, and elections are rotated.

- NZPA