The Eastern Bay's Te Tawa Kaiti Lands Trust general manager Hinehou Timutimu (Tūhoe, Whakatōhea, Te Atiawa) is one of three finalists for the Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year award.

The other finalists are from Taranaki: LeAnne Blakelock, a dairy farmer, sharemilker and chartered accountant from Inglewood and Rachel Short, a dairy farmer who alongside her husband and parents, owns two certified organic dairy farms near Opunake.

The Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year award recognises an outstanding woman who has contributed to the dairy sector with passion, drive, innovation and leadership.

The award recipient will receive a scholarship to be part of the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme.

The scholarship covers the programme fee, travel and accommodation, mentoring and access to the Dairy Women’s Network (DWN) and Fonterra platforms to share research.

Jenna Smith, DWN trustee and head judge, says the calibre of this year’s finalists reflects the depth of leadership emerging across the sector.

“Each finalist brings a distinct perspective and a clear commitment to shaping the future of dairying in Aotearoa.

“What stood out this year wasn’t just capability, it was clarity. These women are clear on what matters, clear on the role they can play, and they’re already getting on with leading,” she said.

The award’s five judges include representatives from Dairy Women’s Network, Fonterra, Rural Leaders, Ballance Agri-Nutrients and a previous Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year recipient.

Finalists will be assessed on a range of factors including commitment, drive and passion for the dairy sector. They will need to be a positive role model for women in dairying and a strong performer, who is recognised by her peers as a potential leader, demonstrating leadership within her community, and with a wider circle of influence than her local community, holding or having previously held leadership positions on regional or national dairy organisations.

Ms Timutimu leads a dual-enterprise model combining a 380-hectare maize and dairy farm on behalf of 1100 owners and beneficiaries, as well as its wider community.

Her leadership philosophy – guided by the whakataukī “Ka ora ai te whenua, ka ora ai te tangata” (When the land thrives, the people thrive) – is woven through every initiative she leads.

Ms Timutimu brings together mātauranga Māori and western science to deliver climate resilience, biodiversity restoration, and dairy performance improvements.

Her work includes 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 creates bilingual resources embedding cultural knowledge into environmental action.

In 2025, she represented New Zealand as an expert speaker at the APEC Technical Cooperation Workshop in Bangkok, contributing to international discussions on women’s economic empowerment and sustainable agriculture.

She holds governance credentials spanning the IoD Company Directors’ Course, Fonterra Governance Development Programme, LIC leadership programmes, MPI Governance Essentials, and has been selected for the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme 2026.

She is also deputy chair for Bay of Plenty Ballance Farm Environment Awards Management Committee.

“Hinehou brings a deeply grounded perspective, with a strong connection between people, whenua and long-term outcomes. Her leadership is authentic and anchored in purpose,” said Ms Smith.

The Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year award will be announced on May 5 at the Gala Dinner of the DWN Conference 2026 in Christchurch, where the theme is “Success through Inspiration”.