Six businesses are competing in three categories in the Enterprising Rural Women Awards this year and the ultimate winner will receive the supreme prize.
Rural Women New Zealand's annual awards showcase rural women who run their own successful businesses.
For the entrants, it is an opportunity to promote their innovative rural enterprise and gain recognition for their contribution to their community.
Each category winner receives $1000 in prize money and a trophy, with a further $1000 being awarded to the supreme winner who is judged as an exceptional rural business woman.
Prizes also include clothing from Swazi Apparel and from the Agri-Women's Development Trust, $400 worth of executive coaching for each category winner and an additional $3400 professional development package for the supreme winner.
2016 ERWA categories are:
• Emerging Enterprising Rural Woman Award - inspiring business or community leader.
• Innovative Enterprising Rural Woman Award - new technology and adapting to rural location.
• Entrepreneurial Enterprising Rural Woman Award - success in horticulture, agricultural, dairy, tourism or rural sector.
"This year we have seen some very dynamic businesses emerging in the regions," says RWNZ national president and judge, Wendy McGowan.
Hastings business woman, Marian Hirst from Bay Blueberries, Hastings is competing this year.
She is passionate about producing quality apples and blueberries in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner and received the 2016 Balance Farm Environmental Supreme Award for the East Coast Region.
Winners will be announced at on Saturday, November 12 in Wellington.