News

Bay of Plenty leader and General Manager of Te Tawa Kaiti Lands Trust, Hinehou Timutimu (Hine), has been announced as the 2026 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.

The award was announced at tonight’s gala dinner at the Dairy Women’s Network 2026 Conference “Success through Inspiration” in Christchurch (5 May 2026).

The fourteenth Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year award celebrates women who demonstrate leadership and a commitment to the dairy industry. Hine was recognised for her outstanding leadership, her deep connection to people and whenua, and her transformational impact across the dairy sector and Māori agribusiness.

DWN Trustee and Lead Judge Jenna Smith says Hine brings a deeply grounded perspective, with a strong connection between people, whenua and long-term outcomes.

“Her leadership is authentic and anchored in purpose. Hine leads by example, makes decisions clearly, and consistently demonstrates her ability to bring people along with her – whether she’s rolling up her sleeves planting out a stream bank or setting and implementing strategy.

“She does not seek recognition or status, but instead looks to progress outcomes for women, for dairy, and anywhere the two collide,” says Smith.

Hine (Tūhoe, Whakatōhea, Te Ātiawa) leads a dual-enterprise model combining dairy farming and maize at Te Tawa Kaiti Lands Trust. Her leadership philosophy -guided by the whākatāukī ‘Ka ora ai te whenua, Ka ora ai te tangata’ (When the Land thrives, the People thrive) -is woven through every initiative she leads.

Hine brings together mātauranga Māori and western science to deliver climate resilience, biodiversity restoration, and dairy performance improvements. Her work includes Project Te Aroha, which accelerates dairy productivity and emissions reduction through herd genomics and regenerative farming; He Whāriki mō Paekoau, a catchment restoration programme engaging schools and hapū; and Kua Āmio ki Tōna Tīmatanga, which creates bilingual resources embedding cultural knowledge into environmental action.

In 2025, Hine represented New Zealand as an expert speaker at the APEC Technical Cooperation Workshop in Bangkok, contributing to international discussions on women’s economic empowerment and sustainable agriculture.

She holds governance credentials spanning the IoD Company Directors’ Course, Fonterra Governance Development Programme, LIC leadership programmes, and MPI Governance Essentials, and has been selected for the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme 2026. She is also Vice Chair of the Ballance Farm Environment Awards.

Anne Douglas, Group Director – Fonterra Farm Source and a member of the judging panel this year, says she is thrilled to see Hine named the 2026 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.

“Her ability to bring together mātauranga Māori and modern farming practices is a powerful example of the leadership our sector needs. I’ve also been impressed by her global perspective and how she applies insights from around the world to strengthen our rural communities. Her commitment to people, to land, and to the next generation of farmers is truly inspiring,” says Douglas.

Hine will receive a scholarship to be part of the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme. The scholarship covers the programme fee, travel and accommodation, mentoring and access to DWN and Fonterra platforms to share research.

Smith adds, “we also want to acknowledge the other two incredible finalists who are doing amazing things in our sector”.

LeAnne Blakelock, a dairy farmer, sharemilker and chartered accountant based in Inglewood, Taranaki, is the founder of Calf Chronicles – a farmer-to-farmer platform with over 5,800 followers across New Zealand and internationally – and the creator of the Rose Gold Veal brand, championing ethical veal production and whole-of-system sustainability. LeAnne leads with authenticity and transparency, combining commercial, farming, and entrepreneurial experience with a deep commitment to people, community wellbeing, and connection.

Rachel Short, a born-and-bred Coastal Taranaki dairy farmer near Ōpunakē, is one of New Zealand’s leading voices in organic and regenerative dairy farming. She led the conversion of both her family’s farms to organic certification from 2015, and her practical, humble, and collaborative leadership style – walking alongside others and sharing knowledge from the ground up – has made her a consistently recognised and respected figure in the sector since 2013.

-ENDS-

Photo: Supplied by DWN: Hinehou Timutimu

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