North Canterbury business women have often stepped
up to the challenge of entering the Rural Womens New Zealand (RWNZ) Enterprising Rural Women Award and have achieved success.

Entries for the 2011 awards are now being sought and business women from through out North Canterbury are being encouraged to think about entering.

"The award celebrates women who take on the extra challenge of running a business in a rural area and it's a great opportunity to boost your business profile," says RWNZ National president, Liz Evans.

Last year's South Island winner, Tracey Robinson, who runs children's merino sock company, 'Cosy Toes Ltd' from Rotherham in the Hurunui area, says her win had a very positive spin off.

"I'm definitely busier because of it," she says.

This year's sponsors are Telecom and Access Home Health. Both will also be involved in the judging.

Entries close March 18, with the award ceremony in Auckland in May, when the South Island and North Island winners will find out who takes away the supreme award.