New Zealand women in horticulture spotlighted at Inspiring Wāhine Conference

The women who play a crucial role in driving New Zealand’s horticulture industry will be highlighted and celebrated at the Inspiring Wāhine Conference 2025, commencing on 15 October, International Rural Women’s Day.

The three-day event, Inspiring Wāhine Conference 2025 – Thriving Together: Cultivating Inspiration and Resilience, is sponsored by Women in Horticulture (WiH) and United Fresh New Zealand and held in Gore.

The conference opening purposely coincides with International Rural Women’s Day, which is celebrated globally to recognise the critical role and contribution of rural women in agriculture, food security, rural development and poverty eradication.

WiH Project Manager, Stephanie Wrathall, said wāhine are central to the sector’s success – from small family-run producers to large multi-million dollar growing operations. “Women are often at the heart of these businesses and post-harvest workforces, yet they often fly under the radar, juggling family priorities with business success and not always receiving the support and acknowledgement they deserve.

“United Fresh and Women in Horticulture aren’t just celebrating rural women – we’re backing them in the places they live, grow and lead. Through our sponsorship of the Inspiring Wāhine Conference, we’re championing the voices of wāhine in horticulture and supporting initiatives that empower them at the grassroots level.”

WiH Communications Group member and Inspiring Wāhine Conference organising team member, Whitney Conder, said it’s important to shine a spotlight on the role thousands of rural women play in horticulture as growers, leaders, innovators and kaitiaki of the land.

“This conference is chance for wāhine to connect, reflect and grow. Whether you’re hands-on in the fields, behind the scenes in horticulture or supporting the sector from another angle, this three-day experience in Gore is all about supporting each other and celebrating all that we do,” said Conder.

Alongside practical workshops on topics such as investment, nutrition, managing stress and strengthening advocacy skills, inspirational speakers include Nadia Lim (celebrity chef and entrepreneur), Dr Denise Quinlan (director of the Institute of Wellbeing and Resilience), Tori Moorby (olympian), Pauline Smith (award-winning author and educator), and Dr Jo Cribb (leadership and governance expert).

“It’s a chance for rural women to fill their own cup and be part of a community that understands the unique challenges and triumphs of rural life,” Conder added.