AQNZ Women of Aquaculture Aotearoa Awards
Aquaculture New Zealand (AQNZ) and Women of Aquaculture Aotearoa (WoAA) celebrate incredible wāhine across our sector and recognise the mahi that has strengthened aquaculture and the people in it.
Celebrating the 2026 Nominees
for the WoAA Awards
Thank you to everyone who nominated an exceptional wahine for recognition. It is inspiring to celebrate the leadership, contribution, and impact of wāhine across our sector, and we look forward to celebrating the outstanding nominees at the WoAA Networking Event and the successful recipients at the Aquaculture New Zealand conference.
Please find details below of the awards to be celebrated and nominees.
WoAA Outstanding Service Award
This award recognises wāhine who have made an outstanding and lasting contribution to aquaculture in Aotearoa. It celebrates women who have stepped up and made a difference – to businesses, the environment, their people, or the sector as a whole.
This may include those who pushed past their comfort zone to do what needed to be done, took a risk, put themselves forward, gave their time to support or grow others, or quietly carried out essential work behind the scenes.
Alison (Ali) Undorf-Lay - Akaroa King Salmon
Andrea Strang - Aquaculture Solutions Ltd
Anja Studer - NMIT
Cathy Webb - Seafood New Zealand
Debbie Pannell - Marlborough Oysters / FlipFarm Systems
Haidee Halliwell - New Zealand King Salmon
Denise Hearn - Aquaculture Learning Lab / United Nations Food & Agriculture Organisation
Huna Hough - Greenwave Aotearoa
Justine Inns - Oceanlaw / Wotton Kearney
Karen Morley - Aquaculture New Zealand
Kristin Spaetzel - New Zealand King Salmon
Lynette Dunn - Orata Marine / Mahurangi Oyster Farmers Association
Nicola Russel - Marine Farming Association
Sheryl Guyton - New Zealand King Salmon
WoAA Excellence Award
This award celebrates the achievements of wāhine in aquaculture over the past year. It recognises rising stars, standout achievements, key contributors, and those we couldn’t imagine the year without. Whether it was tackling a tough challenge, leading through uncertainty with mana, driving a breakthrough, or consistently delivering excellent results, this award honours those whose mahi truly stood out.
Emily Mills - New Zealand King Salmon
Huna Hough - Greenwave Aotearoa
Kristin Spaetzel - New Zealand King Salmon
Lynette Dunn - Orata Marine / Mahurangi Oyster Farmers Association
Nicola Russel - Marine Farming Association
Nicole Zeier - NZ Shellfish Consultants Ltd
Olivia Geddes - Tio Ōhiwa
Tehya Whitwell - New Zealand King Salmon
Aine O'Neill - Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)
Amelia Harvey -Waimana Marine
Brae Forester - Foveaux Pāua Farm / The New Zealand Abalone Company
Catherine Moisan - Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)
Debbie Pannell - Marlborough Oysters / FlipFarm Systems
Jess Ericson - Cawthron Institute
Denise Hearn - Aquaculture Learning Lab / United Nations Food & Agriculture Organisation
Why Awards?
The awards aim to foster a generous sense of collegiality among the aquaculture community. The act of nomination is an important aspect in this process and the generosity of the nominator forms part of the recognition.
Self-nomination is also encouraged, to combat the idea of 'kiwi modesty', which keeps so many hidden from view.
The recognition of excellence in and service to aquaculture is often concentrated into awarding individuals only, however these awards are also open to the nomination of collectives and businesses.
Strengthening Networks:
To ensure the awards remain inclusive, they are structured to minimise the cost and time commitments that are so often a barrier to award entries. The awards are simple and free, with no fees and no formatting requirements.
The nomination process also means that the awards are inclusive of everyone – so encourage everyone to give thought to leaders, amazing contributors and outcomes achieve by wāhine in aquaculture.
Keeping Awards Inclusive:
Women in Aquaculture Aotearoa simply shines the spotlight on deserving women working in the field of aquaculture, because it so often misses them.
Maintaining Visibility:
These awards are proudly supported by Aquaculture New Zealand