A woman who makes dog collars and harnesses has won the enterprising rural women award, at Rural Women New Zealand's annual conference in Hawera.
Rose Voice runs The Real Dog Equipment Company with her husband in Maniototo.
Mrs Voice says she decided nine years ago to stop importing the gear she needed for her 13 Alaskan Malamutes and to make it herself.
She now produces a range of equipment for dogs, alpacas and horses, most of which is sold in New Zealand and Australia, with a small amount heading further afield - some even to Alaska, the home of sled dog racing.
Mrs Voice says she's rapt with the award and plans to extend the business over the next 12 months.
Other winners were Kylie Gibbard, who won the North Island Award for her specialist bra company at Koputaroa, near Levin; and Jenny Scott, who took home the South Island Award for her stock agent brokering software company, which is based at Bannockburn near Cromwell.
