International Rural Women’s Day : Nicola Grigg

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 everything I do. I grew up on a farm in Canterbury, so rural New Zealand isn't something I read about in a briefing paper, it's home. It's where I learned the value of hard work, resilience, community and pitching in when someone needs a hand.

Those lessons have stayed with me throughout my life and they're certainly with me every day in Parliament. Whether I'm representing Selwyn or making decisions as a Minister, I always think about what it means for the people who are out there running farms, businesses, families and communities.

At the end of the day, rural communities are often the end users of many of the policies we develop in Wellington. That's why it's so important that policy is practical, grounded in real-world experience, and actually works for the people who live with it every day.

2. What do you see as the biggest issues specifically affecting women living and working rurally?

One of the biggest challenges is that rural women are often expected to do it all. Many are helping run farms or businesses, raising children, volunteering in their communities and caring for family members, all at the same time.

I've often said that too many women on farms will describe themselves as "just doing the books", when in reality, they're doing far more than that. They're managing the accounts, helping develop the farm plan, raising children, serving on school boards, volunteering in the community, and often keeping the whole operation running behind the scenes. Rural women are incredibly capable, but that doesn't mean it isn't demanding.

Access to services is still an issue too. Things like healthcare, childcare and specialist support can be much harder to reach when you live outside our main centres. We need to keep working towards making sure rural women aren't disadvantaged simply because of where they live.

3. Are women's voices adequately represented when agricultural and environmental policy is being developed?

We've come a long way, and that's something worth celebrating, although there's always more work to do. One of the really encouraging things I've noticed is the number of young women choosing to study agriculture and related disciplines. When I visit Lincoln University, for example, it's fantastic to see more women coming through the agricultural pipeline and preparing to lead the future of our food and fibre sector.

We also see women increasingly occupying leadership positions across the industry. More often than not these days, women are serving as Chairs, CEOs and senior leaders of agricultural organisations, bringing valuable perspectives, expertise and experience to the table.

That's a positive shift, because the best policy comes from having a diversity of views around the decision-making table. The more women we have helping shape agricultural and environmental policy, the better those policies will reflect the realities of the people working in the sector every day. The good news is that today's generation of rural women are increasingly visible, vocal and influential, and I think the sector is stronger for it.

4. What would you most like to see change for the next generation of rural women?

I'd love to see young rural women grow up believing there are no limits on what they can achieve. Whether they want to run a farm, lead a company, become a scientist, start a business or enter politics, I want those opportunities to feel completely within reach.

I'm fortunate to have had some incredible role models, including my great-grandmother Mary Grigg, who became National's first female MP. Every generation builds on the work of those who came before them, and I'd love to see the next generation of rural women feeling confident enough to back themselves and take on leadership roles.

5. What does being a rural woman mean to you in 2026?

Being a rural woman means being part of something bigger than yourself. It's about family, community, contribution, and looking after the place you call home.

As I said before, rural women wear many hats. They're raising families, running businesses, helping drive farm success, supporting neighbours, volunteering in the community, and often keeping everything ticking along behind the scenes.

I've always admired the quiet determination of rural women. They don't often seek recognition, but so much of rural New Zealand depends on their leadership, resilience and willingness to step up when needed.

I think that's something worth celebrating, particularly as we mark the International Year of the Woman Farmer. Rural women are at the heart of our families, farms, businesses and communities, and I'm incredibly proud to be one of them.

6. What is the one thing you would change for rural women tomorrow if you could?

If I could change one thing tomorrow, it would be for every rural woman to recognise the value of the contribution she's already making.

I've met so many remarkable women who play critical roles in their farms, businesses and communities, yet they're often the first to downplay what they do.

Rural women bring an enormous amount of leadership, capability and practical know-how to New Zealand. I'd love to see more of them backing themselves, putting their hands up for leadership opportunities, and recognising that their experience and perspective matter.

At the same time, we should continue working to ensure rural women can access the services and support they need, whether that's healthcare, childcare, education or business opportunities – as when rural women succeed, their families, businesses and communities succeed too.

7. What's your rural superpower, the skill, quality or instinct you rely on most?

Growing up in a rural community teaches you to be adaptable. You learn pretty quickly that sometimes you just have to roll up your sleeves, pitch in and help out, whether that's on the farm, at school, at the local sports club, or somewhere else entirely.

I think that's something many rural women have in common. We're used to wearing a lot of hats, juggling competing priorities and finding practical solutions when challenges pop up.

I'm not sure I'd call it a superpower, but I've always valued that rural instinct to get stuck in, work hard and help where you can. It's served me well both in life and in Parliament.