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.
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 nominations can serve as valuable recognition to those most deserving. Nomination is free and can be done using the form below.
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:
How Will it Work?
Nominations are open for any woman working in the Aquaculture sector of Aotearoa, or adjacent supporting sectors.
Nominations are open for 2 weeks and close on the 18th of September. Then they will be reviewed by a panel of respected industry leaders and independent advocates.
Judging Panel:
Teena Hale Pennington: CE - Aquaculture New Zealand
Jenny Marcroft: Parliamentary Under-Secretary - Oceans and Fisheries
Karen Olver: Director - Women in Seafood Australasia
Julia Jones: General Manager - Agri-Womens Development Trust
The winners will be invited to attend the aquaculture conference in October to receive their awards, thanks to the support of Aquaculture New Zealand. They will also be invited to attend the WoAA pre-conference networking event.
We cannot wait to have some incredible women join us for this event