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Heather Sorensen
Rural Women New Zealand has announced the winners of the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards.
The awards are separated into eight categories, with a Supreme winner to be announced in July.
The NZI Rural Women Business Awards celebrate the innovation, community impact and business excellence of women who build thriving businesses in our rural communities.
The category winners are:
Rural Women New Zealand National President Heather Sorensen says the businesses are a credit to the amazing women who run them.
“We had a tough job as judges and were extremely impressed with the quality of entrants.
“It is fantastic to see these dedicated businesswomen from across the country leading such successful enterprises,” she says.
“I also want to take a moment to thank everyone who put themselves out there to enter, it takes a lot of time and effort to enter the awards, and we appreciate the investment each of you made this year. Going through each application was an absolute privilege and the depth of talented rural women in New Zealand never ceases to amaze me,” she says.
NZI EM Agencies & Schemes Christina Chellew says they are proud to support the awards.
“The Rural Women Business Awards, recognise the vital role women play in the success of rural businesses and communities. This year’s entries were of an exceptionally high calibre, reflecting the depth of capability in rural, women-led businesses across New Zealand,” she says.
Sorensen says a special mention must also go to the sponsors.
“We are so grateful for the ongoing support of our sponsors, our legacy sponsors such as NZI, and those who joined the awards for the first time this year. We look forward to continuing to celebrate rural businesswomen thanks to your generosity,” she says.
The winners will be celebrated at a Gala Dinner in Parliament on the 23rd of July, where the overall Supreme winner will also be announced.
Tickets to the Gala Dinner, and the Rural Edge business skills workshop are on sale now
Rural Women New Zealand this month submitted on the Draft Mental Health and a Wellbeing Strategy 2026-2036, because a person's postcode should not determine the quality of their mental health support.
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) has signed on to a formal complaint filed with the United Nations requesting an investigation into whether the government's changes to New Zealand's pay equity laws amounts to systemic discrimination against women.
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) and Federated Farmers say they welcome the announcement last week that the Government will increase the conveyance allowance by 30%.
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) says it welcomes the release of a new report into pay equity.
Applications are now open for the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards, set to be held at Parliament on 23 July.
Rural Women New Zealand has announced the winners of the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards.
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