New Zealand Women of Influence Award

The New Zealand Women of Influence Award is an annual set of awards which recognises women who make a difference to everyday New Zealanders' lives. The Awards were first made in 2013 and were initially sponsored by Westpac Bank. In 2016, Fairfax Media became a joint sponsor.

The Awards were initially presented in five categories. As of 2016, they are made in ten categories: Board and Management, Business Enterprise, Innovation, Young Leader, Arts and Culture, Public Policy, Community and not-for-profit, Diversity, Global and Rural. A Local and Regional Award was also made in 2013 and 2014. In addition, there is a Supreme Award. In 2016, an additional award, Lifetime Achievement, was introduced.

Nominations are invited from the public, and a selection panel makes the final decisions on award recipients.

Helen Robinson won the Supreme Award in 2016.Joan Withers won the 2015 Supreme Award for her work campaigning for more women on boards and in business. The 2014 Supreme winner was Lesley Elliott for her work at the Sophie Elliott Foundation, which educates New Zealanders on healthy relationships. Dame Therese Walsh, chief operating officer for Rugby New Zealand 2011, received the Supreme Award in 2013.

This award was introduced in 2016 and awarded to Dame Rosanne Meo.

The 2016 winner was businesswoman Helen Robinson, who was also the winner of the Supreme Award. The 2015 winner was Joan Withers, who also won the Supreme Award. The 2014 winner was Traci Houpapa. The 2013 winner was also the winner of the Supreme Award, Dame Therese Walsh.

The 2016 winner for business entrepreneurship was Lisa King. The 2015 winner was Linda Jenkinson. In 2014 the winner was Dame Wendy Pye. The 2013 winner was lawyer Mai Chen.

The 2016 winner was scientist Michelle Dickinson. The 2015 winner was education futurist Frances Valintine. The 2014 winner was chemist Margaret Brimble. The 2013 winner was Marilyn Waring.

In 2013 and 2014 this category was "Emerging Leader". The 2014 winner was Althea Carbon, and the 2013 winner was Mahsa Mohaghegh.

In 2015 it was renamed "Young Leader" and the winner was hip hop choreographer Parris Goebel. The 2016 winner was Alexia Hilbertidou, the founder of GirlBoss NZ.

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