Search Begins For The Inaugural Rural Woman Of The Year

Federated Farmers, Rural Women New Zealand and Brightstar are proud to announce the launch of the Rural Woman of the Year award, sponsored by Farmers Weekly.

Nominations are open now, with the inaugural winner to be announced at the Primary Industries New Zealand (PINZ) awards at the Cordis Hotel in Auckland on 23 June.

"Launching this award is all about creating a platform to recognise our rural women and really celebrating their contribution," says Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford.

"Our rural communities are absolutely overflowing with talented women doing amazing things across the industry in farming, advocacy, grassroots leadership, and within their community.

"We want to shine a bright light on the work they’re doing to lead, inspire, connect and strengthen New Zealand’s rural communities and the wider agricultural sector."

The award’s launch has been timed to align with International Women’s Day on Sunday the 8 March and is expected to attract a high calibre of nominees.

Rural Women New Zealand board chair Nicole Oliver says she’s excited to be launching an award to recognise the incredible achievements of rural women across the country.

"It’s important that rural women are recognised on a national and sector-wide stage, this award is about celebrating the impact an exceptional rural woman has," she says.

"This inaugural award is all the more special as we celebrate our Centennial Year, 100 years of proudly advocating for women and rural communities.

"We’re incredibly grateful to have the support of Cushla and Dean Williamson and the AgriHQ team with our new Farmers Weekly partnership, and now with their sponsorship of this award."

Oliver says the award is not limited to members of Rural Women New Zealand. Any woman with a connection to our rural communities is encouraged to apply.

"There are more than 400,000 potential nominees out there and we want to make sure there are absolutely no barriers for a worthy recipient of this award stepping forward and entering.

"Whether you’re milking cows in Morrinsville, shearing sheep in Waipukurau, volunteering for a local club in Gore, or working for Fonterra in Auckland’s CBD - this is the award for you.

"If your work has made a difference for our rural communities, the primary sector or New Zealand’s wider success, we want to celebrate you."

Brightstar CEO Paula Cleghorn says the addition of this new award category fits perfectly with the vision and strategy for the wider Primary Industries New Zealand Awards.

"These awards are about bringing the entire primary sector together under one roof to celebrate collective success, and recognising our best and brightest," she says.

"Half of rural New Zealand’s population are female, so it’s great to be introducing this new award category that specifically recognises their contribution and achievements.

"The Rural Woman of the Year award isn’t sector specific: it’s open to those in dairy, sheep & beef, arable, supporting industries, or even those who just live in rural New Zealand.

"I have no doubt this will be one of the most prestigious and sought-after awards in New Zealand and I’m really looking forward to seeing who takes home the inaugural title."

Nominations for the Rural Woman of the Year award are open now with nominations closing on April 1, 2026. You can make a nomination here: https://awards.judgify.me/PINZAwards2026

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