Eastern Bay of Plenty’s Hinehou Timutimu is the 2026 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.

The award was announced last night at the Dairy Women’s Network 2026 Conference.

Judges said they recognised Timutimu for her outstanding leadership, her deep connection to people and whenua, and her transformational impact across the dairy sector and Māori agribusiness.

Dairy Women’s Network trustee and lead judge Jenna Smith said Timutimu brought a deeply grounded perspective, with a strong connection between people, whenua and long-term outcomes.

“Her leadership is authentic and anchored in purpose,” Smith said.

“Hine leads by example, makes decisions clearly, and consistently demonstrates her ability to bring people along with her.”

As general manager at Te Tawa Kaiti Lands Trust, Timutimu (Tūhoe, Whakatōhea, Te Ātiawa) leads a dual-enterprise model that combines dairy farming and maize.

In a statement, the Dairy Women’s Network said Timutimu’s leadership philosophy was guided by the whākatāukī “Ka ora ai te whenua, Ka ora ai te tangata” (when the land thrives, the people thrive) and is woven through every initiative she leads.

Timutimu brought together mātauranga Māori and Western science to deliver climate resilience, biodiversity restoration, and dairy performance improvements.

Her work included 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 created bilingual resources embedding cultural knowledge into environmental action.

In 2025, Timutimu represented New Zealand as an expert speaker at the Apec Technical Co-operation Workshop in Bangkok, contributing to international discussions on women’s economic empowerment and sustainable agriculture.

She held governance credentials spanning the IoD company directors’ course, the Fonterra governance development programme, LIC leadership programmes, and MPI governance essentials, the statement said.

She was 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, said she was thrilled to see Timutimu named the 2026 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.

“Her commitment to people, to land, and to the next generation of farmers is truly inspiring,” Douglas said.

Timutimu will receive a scholarship for the Kellogg rural leadership programme, which covers the programme fee, travel and accommodation, mentoring and access to the Dairy Women’s Network and Fonterra platforms to share research.

Now in its 14th year, the Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year award celebrates women who demonstrate leadership and a commitment to the dairy industry.

Timutimu was in the running with two other finalists, LeAnne Blakelock and Rachel Short, who are both from Taranaki.