International Rural Women’s Day: Marie Black

Marie Black is Mayor of the Hurunui District, a role that places her at the heart of one of Canterbury’s most strongly rural communities. With deep ties to farming and community life, she brings a grounded understanding of the challenges and strengths that shape rural people and places.

1.      As mayor of a largely rural district, how has your connection with rural people and communities shaped the way you lead?

Living and farming in Hurunui District has given me a practical understanding of what rural communities need to thrive: strong local relationships, resilience, services close to home, and a deep connection to place. Before entering local government, I spent 25 years as a Plunket Karitāne with Whānau Āwhina Plunket, working alongside families across Hurunui and Waimakariri. That experience shaped my commitment to leadership that is grounded, accessible, and responsive to rural realities.

One recent example is an Older Persons Social Worker pilot, developed in partnership with the district’s five health centres and Together Hurunui, a group well placed to support and monitor local delivery of social services. I supported securing funding for the one-year pilot so older residents could access social support through trusted local health settings, reducing barriers and keeping services close to home.

As Mayor, I see first-hand the pressures rural communities face, from drought and economic uncertainty to the challenge of accessing essential services. That lived and professional experience has shaped a leadership style based on presence, practical problem-solving, and quiet persistence: listening carefully, understanding the local context, and helping people find solutions without fanfare.

2.      You see communities across Hurunui through good times and some incredibly challenging ones. What have you learned about what makes rural communities resilient?

The introduction of Mayors Taskforce for Jobs is an important example of resilience in action. By supporting young people into employment, training, and local opportunities, it helps to build confidence, develop skills, and gain a stronger sense of wellbeing and belonging.

Rural resilience is built when people feel connected and can see a future for themselves, in the Hurunui that means not only helping people through difficult times, but by also creating pathways that give them the confidence and reason to stay connected to where they belong.

10 years on from the Waiau-Kaikoura earthquake on 14 November 2016 remains one of the starkest reminders of rural resilience our district has faced it was a time when people coped by looking after one another and getting on with what needed to be done despite having considerable damage to their homes and properties.  The Hurunui recovery planning recognised that social connection, community events and locally led initiatives were important to helping people adapt and move forward. There was a strong sense that nobody should face the aftermath alone.

3.      What role do you think women play in holding small rural communities together, particularly in ways that can sometimes go unseen?

Women provide practical care and leadership and are often the people who notice when someone needs support and act before they are asked.   It’s taking the lead when a batch of biscuits or a casserole may be helpful for the new family or for someone suffering from illness these gestures are rural traditions that help to keep the community together.

Women are often the quiet force behind the strength of rural communities. They are the organisers, mentors, and connectors who keep communities vibrant and functioning with much of this work going on behind the scenes and often without recognition.

The wellbeing and vibrancy of rural communities depend on the contribution of women whose impact is felt every day, even when it is not always visible.

4.      Looking ahead, what do you think rural women in communities like those across Hurunui need most to be able to thrive?

Rural women need strong connections, a sense of belonging, and real opportunities to contribute, lead, and grow.

Rural women need reliable access to the essentials that support daily life and long-term wellbeing, including healthcare, education, childcare, digital connectivity, and professional development opportunities.

They also need clear pathways into leadership and decision-making, with recognition of the flexibility, distance, and competing demands that are part of rural life.

Above all, rural women need to know their contribution is valued. When women are supported, recognised, and empowered, the whole community benefits.

5.      What does being a rural woman mean to you in 2026?

To me, being a rural woman in 2026 means being adaptable, resilient, and deeply connected to people and place. As Hurunui District’s first woman mayor, I am proud to show that authentic leadership is powerful, and that women have a vital role in shaping the future of leadership.

Rural women carry many roles and contribute in countless ways to their families, businesses, and communities. There is growing recognition of the leadership, expertise, and influence women bring, not only in supporting others’ success, but in leading businesses, organisations, and communities. For me, it is about embracing both tradition and change, while staying grounded in the values that keep rural communities strong.

6.      What is the one thing you would change for rural women tomorrow if you could?

If we are serious about creating change for women, we must be willing to challenge the behaviours and attitudes that continue to cause harm, to some women in our rural communities.

Respect for women should never be optional, whether in our homes, workplaces, communities, or increasingly, online.

The harmful and disrespectful way women can be spoken about and targeted online should never be accepted as normal. Behind every comment, message, or post is a real person: a mother, daughter, sister, friend, or colleague. Words can cause real harm, and we all have a responsibility to call out disrespect and stand up for one another.

But this is more than social media.

Every woman and child deserves to feel safe in their own home. Families should be places of love, support, and security, not places where people live in fear.

Family harm affects individuals, children, and whole communities. In rural communities, where people often know and support one another, we have a particular responsibility to ensure those experiencing violence know they are not alone and that help is available.

Change starts with each of us.

It starts with teaching our children what respect looks like. It starts with men calling out harmful behaviour from other men. It starts with communities refusing to turn a blind eye. And it starts with making sure women and children know their safety, dignity, and wellbeing matter.

We want our daughters and granddaughters to grow up in a world where they are respected, valued, and safe: online, in their relationships, and in their homes.

That is the change we should all be working towards: families free from harm, women free from fear, and communities where respect is the standard, not the exception.

7.      What’s your rural superpower: the skill, quality, or instinct you rely on most?

My rural superpower is relationship building. Strong communities aren’t built from the top down, they’re built by people who know each other, look out for each other, and are prepared to roll up their sleeves and get thing done.

I value long term relationships and the trust it builds.  Trust forms the ability for vital community contributions from, volunteers, businesses, families and individuals who all work together to create positive and resilient rural communities.