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1. How has your rural upbringing and background shaped the person you are and the path you have taken? I grew up with an intergenerational interest and involvement in rural artisan crafts, including embroidery, patchwork and basketry. I was taught to knit, crochet and tat by my maternal grandmother and mother. Growing up on a farm also taught me to use initiative, make decisions, solve problems, get up early, do a job and finish it. There were plenty of fun times too, includi

Marie Black is Mayor of the Hurunui District, a role that places her at the heart of one of Canterbury’s most strongly rural communities. With deep ties to farming and community life, she brings a grounded understanding of the challenges and strengths that shape rural people and places. 1. As mayor of a largely rural district, how has your connection with rural people and communities shaped the way you lead? Living and farming in Hurunui District has given me a

From a high-country farm near Twizel, Kate Ivey has built a nationwide fitness business focused on helping women become stronger, healthier and more confident. Through Kate Ivey Fitness and DediKate, she has turned the realities of rural life, motherhood and limited access to gyms into a business with reach well beyond the farm gate. You built Kate Ivey Fitness and DediKate from a farm near Twizel. How much did rural life shape the business you eventually created? It is

Kate Acland is Chair of Beef + Lamb New Zealand, a Mid Canterbury farmer and the inaugural 2026 Rural Woman of the Year. A strong advocate for rural communities and the red meat sector, she brings both practical farming experience and national leadership to the table. You’ve reached one of the most influential governance positions in New Zealand agriculture. What has shaped the way you lead? I’ve been lucky to have some fantastic mentors along the way and a great network

Karen Williams is Chief Executive of Irrigation New Zealand and a long-time advocate for farmers and rural communities. With a background spanning farming, industry leadership and agricultural advocacy, she brings a practical voice to some of the sector’s biggest conversations around water, land use and the future of food production. 1. You’ve worked across farming, advocacy and irrigation leadership. What has kept drawing you into roles where rural voices need to be heard? M

As National President of Rural Women New Zealand, Heather Sorensen is helping steer one of the country’s longest-standing rural organisations into its next century. Her focus remains firmly on the women at the heart of rural communities and the connections, advocacy and support that keep those communities strong. Rural Women New Zealand has more than a century of history behind it. What does the organisation need to be for rural women now?          Interestingly, when I consi

Hinehou Timutimu is General Manager of Te Tawa Kaiti Lands Trust and the 2026 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year. Her leadership brings together farming, whenua, mātauranga Māori and a strong focus on creating a better future for the generations coming behind her. 1. Your leadership brings together people, whenua, farming and mātauranga Māori. How do those elements influence the decisions you make? Every decision begins with whakapapa — who we come from, who we stand for, and w

Stacey Hoets is part of a new generation building a future in dairy through equity partnership and a clear pathway towards farm ownership. Based at Akitu Dairies in Mid Canterbury, she and husband Jonathon were among three equal winners of the 2026 Fonterra & ASB First Farm Award at the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA), recognising first-generation farmers working towards farm ownership. 1. You and Jonathon have taken a first-generation pathway into equity partn

Selwyn MP Nicola Grigg is Minister for the Environment, Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Minister for Women and Associate Minister for ACC. Raised on a sheep and beef farm at Mt Somers, she brings a strong rural perspective to national decision-making and remains closely connected to the communities she represents. 1. How much does your own connection with rural New Zealand influence the way you approach your roles in Parliament? It's at the heart of everythi

Corina Jordan is Chief Executive of both Fish & Game New Zealand and the New Zealand Game Animal Council, bringing a career that has crossed conservation, freshwater and farming advocacy. A former senior leader with Beef + Lamb New Zealand, she has spent much of her career working across the sometimes contested space between agriculture and the environment. Your work sits at the intersection of freshwater, conservation, recreation and rural communities. What has shaped the

Michelle Ruddell is Chairperson of the Rural Support Trust National Council and a dairy farmer, bringing both governance experience and a strong understanding of the realities facing rural families. Her work is focused on strengthening rural communities and ensuring support is there when people need it most. Rural Support sees people at some of the hardest points in rural life. What have those experiences taught you about rural communities? No one is immune to the challenges

Shannon Fry has built her farming career from the ground up, progressing from shepherding into genetics and management at Cleardale Station in the Rakaia Gorge. With a hands-on approach and a strong interest in stock performance, she represents a new generation of women building serious careers on farm. You came from a Christchurch city upbringing and competitive dancing into farming. When did you first feel that agriculture was where you really belonged? Growing up in Ch

Recently, someone with many years in media gave me a piece of advice. It wasn’t the first time I’d heard it. “Be careful not to have too many women in one issue.” Really? Because in all my years doing this job, nobody has ever warned me about having too many men. Well. Hold my gin. Because this issue is full of women. And unapologetically so. October 15 is International Day of Rural Women, and 2026 is also the International Year of the Woman Farmer, so it seemed like the perf

Emma Burke is the woman behind Take the Wheel, an initiative designed to give rural women greater confidence with practical skills such as 4WD driving. Her work is grounded in a simple idea: when women are given the chance, encouragement and support to have a go, confidence follows. You’ve lived rural life in several parts of New Zealand before settling in Canterbury. What has each community taught you about finding your place and belonging? The fact that no one is coming d