Making Waves: Wāhine in aquaculture recognised in 2026 awards
Twenty-seven nominations have been received for the 2026 Women of Aquaculture Aotearoa (WoAA) Awards, highlighting the talent, leadership, and contribution of wāhine across New Zealand's aquaculture sector.
Supported by Aquaculture New Zealand (AQNZ), the awards recognise women making a significant impact across the industry, from established sector leaders to emerging talent.
AQNZ Chief Executive Teena (Tee) Hale Pennington says Women of Aquaculture Aotearoa was born from the vision, determination and commitment of its co-founders, Caroline Gilbertson and Áine O’Neill.
“They recognised there were extraordinary wāhine making valuable contributions across our aquaculture sector whose stories were not always visible,” Hale Pennington says.
“Through their leadership, Women of Aquaculture Aotearoa has created a platform to celebrate achievement, build confidence, foster connection, and inspire the next generation of women in our industry.”
Now in its second year, the Women of Aquaculture Aotearoa Awards celebrate the talent across the sector and the strong community behind it.
“It has been inspiring to see the respect, appreciation and mana reflected in the nominations, which have come from colleagues, employers, business partners, mentors, students, clients, friends and whānau.”
Hale Pennington says the nominations highlight the many ways women contribute to aquaculture through leadership, innovation, science, farming, education, mentoring, and community service.
“It has been a privilege to see the effort people have made to acknowledge each nominee and celebrate their mahi," she says.
The nominations span two award categories:
WoAA Outstanding Service Award
Recognises wāhine who have made a significant and enduring contribution to aquaculture in Aotearoa, whether through leadership, service, mentorship, innovation, or essential work behind the scenes.
Nominees:
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
Denise Hearn - Aquaculture Learning Lab / United Nations Food & Agriculture Organisation
Haidee Halliwell - New Zealand King Salmon
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
Celebrates wāhine whose achievements have stood out over the past year, recognising rising stars, exceptional contributors, and those who have demonstrated leadership, resilience, innovation, or consistently outstanding performance.
Nominees:
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
Denise Hearn - Aquaculture Learning Lab / United Nations Food & Agriculture Organisation
Jess Ericson - Cawthron Institute
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
WoAA awards judging panel
Teena (Tee) Hale Pennington, Chief Executive, Aquaculture New Zealand
Nicola Russell, Marine Farming Association
Karen Olver, Director, Women in Seafood Australasia
Victoria Valdengro, BioMar
The WoAA award winners will be announced at the Aquaculture New Zealand Conference in Nelson on 14 October 2026.
“It has been inspiring to see the respect, appreciation and mana reflected in the nominations, which have come from colleagues, employers, business partners, mentors, students, clients, friends and whānau.”
Pre-conference networking event
All women in aquaculture are invited to attend a networking event, proudly supported by Westpac and Biomar, on Tuesday 13 October 2026 at the Rutherford Hotel. Details here.
