B+LNZ Chair Kate Acland has been named as the inaugural Rural Woman of the Year at the annual Primary Industries New Zealand Awards.
The Rural Woman of the Year Award was a new category for 2026, recognising an exceptional woman who has made a significant contribution to agriculture, agribusiness or New Zealand’s rural communities. The award is sponsored by Farmers Weekly.
Acland said she was incredibly humbled and grateful to win the Award.
Her win confirms that Acland is one of the most influential leaders in New Zealand’s primary industries today.
As Chair of B+LNZ and the New Zealand Meat Board (NZMB), a director of Wool Research Organisation of New Zealand (WRONZ), co-owner of Mt Somers Station, founder of Sugar Loaf Wines, and a long-standing advocate for rural communities, Acland is making a profound and sustained contribution to New Zealand’s primary sector.
She is the first woman to chair both B+LNZ and NZMB. When she was appointed, farmer satisfaction with B+LNZ was at a low. Under her leadership, farmers have become more engaged and satisfied with their levy-funded organisation.
Acland has driven change in how the farmer voice is reflected in policy positions and led B+LNZ’s strategy refresh to be more strongly focused behind the farm gate. She has also raised the profile of NZMB, leading vital work to build system resilience and efficiency, and strengthen NZMB for the future.
Acland’s leadership has actively shaped the direction of the red meat sector and championed farmer interests during a period of enormous change, while building diversified rural businesses that model resilience, innovation and long-term sustainability.
Judges said Acland had shown “inspirational leadership” in changing both the culture and effectiveness of B+LNZ.
“Under Kate's leadership, we have seen a significant change in the sentiment of B+LNZ’s levy-payers. Someone needed to do it and Kate felt that she had the strength to take on the challenge and reset the organisation.”
In supporting her nomination, Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford said Acland had consistently proven herself to be one of the most capable, gutsy and impactful leaders in New Zealand’s primary sector.
“Her contributions to farming, industry governance, and rural communities exemplify the very best of what this award seeks to celebrate,” he said. “Kate has led by example and shown that rural women can find huge success in practical farming, business and strategic industry leadership.”
Meat Industry Association Independent Chair Nathan Guy said Acland displayed an absolute passion for the rural sector and rural communities.
“Kate is an absolute champion and advocate for the primary sector and rural communities. She is always on top of every issue and clearly articulates the important points on behalf of farmers and the wider industry for politicians, officials and the public.”