2025 Awards
Announcing the Nominees and winners of the Women of Aquaculture Awards 2025
The inaugural WoAA Awards were a remarkable success, celebrating excellence in aquaculture.
They highlighted the diversity of roles, exceptional wāhine talent, and a strong commitment to service within the industry. What an incredible depth and breadth of talent we have in the seafood sector in New Zealand. The awards create a powerful opportunity to inspire future generations by increasing the visibility of wāhine in aquaculture. The calibre of nominations received was exceptional. To choose winners from this list of remarkable women was a near impossibility. Each and every nominee we recognise here was deserving of these awards.
We celebrated the winners and nominees at the 2025 Aquaculture Conference held in Nelson. Whilst not all nominees were able to attend, we were able to celebrate their work with the wider industry.
Appreciation goes to the nominators, whose early support demonstrated courage and belief in the value of awards and the depth of talent in the industry.
To the nominees, we congratulate you on your success. You have all done exceptionally well.
Outstanding Service Award
Winner:
Jane Symonds - Cawthron Institute
Nominees:
Andrea Strang
Cindy Steele
Debbie Pannell
Denise Hearn
Holly Stanford
Isha Sharma
Jane Symonds
Karen Morley
Kim Thompson
Kirsty Colquhoun
Kirsten Norfield
Kristin Spaetzel
Maddison Parlato
Paige Thomson
Tirakahurangi (Amelia) Austin
Excellence Award
Winner:
Kirsty Colquhoun - MT Farms
Nominees:
Amelia Harvey
Annette Smith
Caroline Gilbertson and Aine O'Neill
Debbie Pannell
Debra Murphy
Holly Stanford
Kirsty Colquhoun
Kirsten Norfield
Lydia Manuouiha
Maegen Blom
Monique Hatfull
Shenae Wales
Sruthi Ramsundar
Tirakahurangi (Amelia) Austin