AQNZ Women of Aquaculture Aotearoa Awards

Aquaculture New Zealand and Women of Aquaculture Aotearoa are collaborating to bring two new awards to the Aquaculture conference this year. We want to recognise some of the incredible wāhine of our industry and the work they have done to better the sector and the people in it.

2025 Award Nominees and Winners

Introducing the Awards

WoAA Outstanding Service Award

This award celebrates wāhine who have made outstanding contributions to the aquaculture sector of Aotearoa. We wish to recognise women who have stepped up and made a lasting impact, be it to businesses, the environment, their people, or the sector as a whole. Those who have stepped out of their comfort zone to do the mahi that needed doing, those who dared to put themselves forward or took the risk, those who gave up their time to support or nurture others, or those who quietly got the unglamorous but essential work done in the background. 

To support your nomination, consider the following:

  • Significant and sustained contributions to an industry or area over time.

  • Demonstrated leadership and influence at a national or global level.

  • Advocacy and action for women’s advancement and inclusion in the workplace.

  • A legacy of mentorship, innovation, or transformative change.

WoAA Excellence Award

This award recognises the significant achievements of wāhine of the aquaculture sector over the last year. We wish to celebrate our rising stars, major achievements, contributors, catalyst moments, and those people we couldn’t imagine getting through this year without. Whether it was a tough job done well or a scientific discovery, weathering the storm with mana or stepping up to lead, finding the big solution or consistently working to an exceptional standard, we want to recognise those who have done the excellent mahi this year.

To support your nomination, consider the following:

  • Demonstrated growth and development in a role or field.  

  • Consistent high performance, results with impact and reliability.  

  • Positive contributions to team culture, projects, or outcomes.  

  • On the rise individuals developing and leading in an area or discipline

These Awards are Sponsored by Aquaculture New Zealand

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: