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.
In her acceptance speech, she praised the rural women up and down New Zealand “who are the absolute glue of our rural communities” and welcomed the award “really shining a light on the role of women in the agricultural sector”, including the two “phenomenal women” she was nominated with, Sarah Donaldson and Sandra Faulkner.
She acknowledged the generation of women who went before her, who had to “fight their way into the room … they pushed the door open and allowed me to walk through”. She said she felt like this was a team award, noting the amazing people she works with across the sector and beyond.
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. 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, 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.”
The photo above is used with permission from Shepherdess magazine, who profiled Kate in a recent story.