Māori Women’s Development Inc Māori Businesswomen’s Awards 2025

Māori Women’s Development Inc. (MWDI) is proud to announce the finalists of the MWDI Māori Businesswomen’s Awards 2025, set to take place on Friday, 24 October 2025, at the Tākina Convention Centre, Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington).

The MWDI Māori Businesswomen’s Awards recognise and celebrate the achievements and success of wāhine Māori in business—bold, dynamic, and leading the way in Indigenous business both in Aotearoa and globally.

These prestigious awards reflect the mission of Māori Women’s Development Inc to encourage the economic development of wāhine Māori and their whānau to ensure that Māori contribute equitably to the cultural, economic, social and political achievements of Aotearoa. As a unique Indigenous organisation, MWDI champions wāhine Māori in business, shining the spotlight on the creativity, resilience, and excellence of wāhine across a wide range of regions and industries, from Creative Arts and Innovation to Social Enterprise and beyond.

This celebration recognises the impact of Māori women entrepreneurs and their pakihi (businesses) across Aotearoa, the Asia-Pacific region, and Indigenous economies around the world.

Linda Clay (Ngāti Awa, Te Whakatōhea) Kaiwhakahaere of MWDI, shares her excitement for this year’s event: “I’m proud to celebrate the achievements of our kāipakihi wāhine, whose leadership and innovation are not only transforming their communities but also making a vital contribution to Aotearoa’s economy. These awards honour their success and the powerful impact they are making.”

Nominations were open across ten business categories, including Pakihi Toi Ora (Creative Arts & Design), Te Kaweake (Export), Business Collaboration, Emerging Business, Employment & Growth, Innovation, People & Capability, Social Enterprise, and Marketing & Sales. In addition, eight regional awards will recognise business leaders from Te Tai Tokerau, Tāmaki Makaurau, Tainui, Te Tairāwhiti, Waikato, Waiariki, Ikaroa, Aotea, and Te Waipounamu.

The judging panel – comprising Te Whānau o Waipereira Chief Operating Officer, Awerangi Tamihere MNZM, Ngāti Kauwhata, Rangitāne, Ngāti Porou, Rongowhakaata, Ngāi Tahu, Poutama Trust, Chief Executive Officer, Koro Dickinson Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa, Ngāti Māmoe, Ngāi Tahu and MWDI Kaiwhakahaere Linda Clay, Ngāti Pukeko, Te Whakatōhea- were impressed by the high calibre of nominations, representing the diverse businesses, talents and accomplishments of wāhine in all regions and categories.

MWDI is proud to announce the following businesses and individuals as finalists for the 2025 Awards:

Māori Women’s Development Inc. congratulates all the finalists and looks forward to celebrating the success and achievements of wāhine Māori in business at this year’s awards ceremony on Friday, 24 October 2025 at the Tākina Convention Centre, Pōneke.

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