Federated Farmers, Rural Women New Zealand, and Brightstar have officially launched the inaugural Rural Woman of the Year award, sponsored by Farmers Weekly.
Nominations are now open, with the winner to be announced at the Primary Industries New Zealand (PINZ) Awards at the Cordis Hotel in Auckland on 23 June.
Nominations close on April 1, 2026. You can make a nomination here: https://awards.judgify.me/PINZAwards2026
The launch coincides with International Women’s Day on Sunday, 8 March. Rural Women New Zealand board chair Nicole Oliver is excited to launch the award to recognise the incredible achievements of rural women nationwide.
“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.”
The award is not limited to members of Rural Women New Zealand. Any woman with a connection to New Zealand’s 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.”
Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford says the award is about celebrating the contribution of rural women.
“Our rural communities are absolutely overflowing with talented women doing amazing things across the industry in farming, advocacy, grassroots leadership, and within their community,” he says.
“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.”
Brightstar CEO Paula Cleghorn says the 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 and 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.”
The inaugural winner will be announced at the Primary Industries New Zealand (PINZ) awards at the Cordis Hotel in Auckland on 23 June.
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