NZI Rural Women Business Awards 2026 Category Winners Revealed
Rural Women New Zealand has announced the winners of the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards.
Rural Women New Zealand recently appointed Gabrielle O'Brient as its new chief executive.
"Gabrielle brings a wealth of experience from her previous general management roles in membership based organisations both in the charitable sector and most recently at the New Zealand Law Society," RWNZ president Gill Naylor says.
"This experience combined with her earlier background human resources management, facilitation and organisation development provide her with a strong background to lead our team through the next phase of our development."
O'Brien says she's looking forward to building on the strong legacy of RWNZ and working to provide the best possible platform for rural women to raise and progress issues that are important to them.
"Our rural communities are an integral part of the social and economic fabric of New Zealand.
"Women play a key role in these communities whether as primary producers, community influencers and connectors, entrepreneurs, educators or in the myriad of other essential professional and social roles they hold."
O'Brien took up her appointment at RWNZ earlier this month.
Joshua Irving has been named the 2026 Ormond Nurseries North Canterbury Young Viticulturist of the Year.
Vets say they support the responsible use of virtual fencing and virtual herding technology for cattle and wants to work with farmers, manufacturers and government to help shape standards for future use backed by ongoing research to strengthen animal welfare outcomes.
National and world records tumbled as top Kiwi axeman claimed two Stihl Timbersports world titles at the same event in Budapest, Hungary over the first weekend in June.
A safety push across New Zealand has revealed significant gaps in hazardous substances management, farm vehicles, tractors, quad bikes and side-by-sides.
New Zealand farmers have earned a global edge by consistently yet cautiously taking advantage of emerging agri-technology.
New season data from LIC shows a strong reproductive performance for the 2025-26 season, with a lift in key metrics compared to last season.

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