
Te Whare Whakahōnore i ngā Rakahinonga Wāhine o Aotearoa
The New Zealand Hall of Fame for Women Entrepreneurs
The Hall of Fame celebrates the significant impact of women whose brilliance has changed the way things are done and whose generosity has impacted our world for the better.
Nominations are welcomed from all women.


What is the New Zealand Hall of Fame for Women Entrepreneurs?
Created in 2012, the New Zealand Hall of Fame for Women Entrepreneurs celebrates the success of women entrepreneurs in Aotearoa. These are women who are breaking down barriers, chasing their goals, creating change and a lasting impact on the world.
Each year we take the time to honour and celebrate these women, inducting 3 wāhine into the esteemed ranks of the New Zealand Hall of Fame for Women Entrepreneurs.
By celebrating the accomplishments of these women, we applaud their hard work and efforts, as well as create accessible examples for women to come.
The Ceremony
Inductees join the ranks of the esteemed women and are recognised for their accomplishments at the annual New Zealand Hall of Fame for Women Entrepreneurs ceremony.
Each inductee is gifted a Pounamu from KiriNathan.com. The pounamu is a unique kouma (breastplate) design with a recurring three-notch design around the circumference, representing the women who have come before, the present inductees being honoured and the women who will come after.
After the ceremony, each inductee's name is sewn into a Kākahu (cloak).
Te Ao Māori
Co.OfWomen holds a deep respect for Te Ao Māori and from the very start, we began to reflect this in the ceremony. We are deeply thankful and have aroha nui for Kiri Nathan MNZM, Kim Muriwai, Miriama Kamo and all the wāhine Maori within our community who continue to guide us.
We are also proud to engage with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei who take part in the annual ceremonies and provide oversight and direction on the use of Te Ao Māori for this.
Te reo
Kim Muriwai led the development for the te reo translation, consulting with other reo experts as there was no specific word for women entrepreneurs.
Karakia
In 2017, Stacey and Scotty Morrison crafted a Karakia specific to the Hall of Fame and gifted it to Co.OfWomen for use in the opening of each ceremony.
kākahu
Three Kākahu (cloaks), a modernised Korowai, are used in the annual ceremony have been designed and hand made by Kiri Nathan MNZM.
pounamu
Inductees receive a Pounamu carved in a unique kouma (breastplate), designed by master carver Jason Nathan of KiriNathan.com
The 2023 have been selected
We're looking forward to celebrating these wāhine toa at
the 2023 induction ceremony on June 29th and we hope you'll join us.
But if you know a women entrepreneur who deserves to be recognised for her achievements and generosity and she meets the criteria below, we'd love to hear from you.

Nomination Criteria
Nominations are open to all women entrepreneurs, members and non-members who meet the nomination criteria. Please email all nominations to marketing@coofwomen.biz
1. Business Success
Have achieved significant national or global success, the business is mature of exited.
2. Industry Impact
Their work has had a significant, tangible impact on their industry.
3. Supporting Women
Involved with initiatives dedicated to championing women success.
4. Making a difference
Applying their resources/profits for the good of others in philanthropic endeavours.
Selection Panel
Our selection panel is convened annually by founder Tara Lorigan and is chaired by Dr Lee Mathias. The panel features Co.OfWomen board member and Hall of Fame Inductees.

Tara Lorigan MNZM
Co.Of Women founder

Dr Lee Mathias ONZM
Induction Panel Chair
Inducted 2015

Sharon Hunter
Ex Board Member
Inducted 2012

Sophie Gilmour
Co.Of Women Board Chair

Ranjna Patel ONZM
Ex Board Member
Inducted 2014
2012-2022
Our New Zealand Hall of Fame for Women Entrepreneurs Inductees

Maxine Simmons CNZM | Bio Tech Pioneer | 2022
Maxine is an entrepreneur, investor, and champion of the early-stage biotech industry in Aotearoa. She has over 30 years of commercial experience in start-up and expansion stage private company development. Maxine co-founded one of New Zealand's first biotechnology companies and was awarded a Distinguished New Zealand Biotechnologist Award in recognition for growing a significant biotechnology export business. Subsequently, Maxine established a biotechnology consulting company, BioCatalyst which has provided business advisory services to many early-stage biotechnology ventures. Maxine holds a Master of Science (Hons) degree in biological science from the University of Auckland and is a chartered member of the NZ Institute of Directors. She was a founding director of Industry New Zealand (now New Zealand Trade and Enterprise), a director of NZ's Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, Industrial Research Ltd, and Chair of the NZ biotechnology Industry organization, NZBIO. Maxine currently serves on the board of several New Zealand private companies and is a General Partner of Healthtech venture fund, CaraMed Capital.

Frances Valentina CNZM | Tech Futurist | 2022
Frances Valintine is an entrepreneur, educator and technologist who is focused on the future of work, skills and technologies. For over 20 years she has been dedicated to shifting education and business practice to develop the capabilities needed to respond to the future. She founded both her current organisations The Mind Lab and Tech Futures Lab as Aotearoa’s first private graduate schools for professionals focused on developing their confidence in technologies, transformation change, organisational resilience and new forms of leadership. These institutes have grown significantly over the past nine years to become leading institutes in Australasia. Frances sits on the board of Watercare, is a Director at the University of Silicon Valley and a Director of On Being Bold, an organisation developed to support and encourage emerging women leaders. Frances is a mentor to many young women both in New Zealand and in India, and for many years she has given her time to support, guide and encourage other women entrepreneurs. This mentoring has been through formal programmes including the First Foundation and Talentnomics, a women's empowerment programme in Washington DC.

Rhonda Kite MNZM | Indigenous Language Translation Trailblazer | 2022
Rhonda Kite is a true entrepreneur who has focused her career on the future of creative labour, skills, and technologies. Her three-decade-long voyage of exploration into the realm of creative production in sound and screen got its start with Kiwa Digital. Kiwa is a mixed media creative technology company founded by Rhonda with the intention of producing technologies that would contribute to the revitalisation and retention of indigenous languages. She is a Life Member of the Maori Women's Welfare League and served for three years on the foundation Board of Co.OfWomen, Aotearoa’s premier women's success organisation, where she has also been a member since 2013. A member of the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum, Rhonda also sits on the board of her Iwi, Te Aupouri, and is the Chair of Te Hiku Iwi Development Trust. This trust is tasked with making systemic changes in government policy in order to improve the quality of life for Māori whanau, hapu, and Iwi of the far north. In addition, she serves as a Co-Chair of Toi Mai Workforce Development Council in regard to the Reformation of Vocational Education.

Dame Suzie Moncrieff | Arts Innovator | 2021
Dame Suzie Moncrieff is the creator and founder of the internationally renowned brand, World of WearableArt. Over the last 30 years, Suzie grew WOW into the brand it is today. It started as a small local event outside a rural cottage near Nelson and has grown into a spectacular stage phenomenon, attracting entries from over 40 countries and an audience of around 60,000 each year. World of WearableArt is now a multi-faceted creative company that encompasses the world’s leading wearable art competition, producing the annual Awards Show and exhibition activity both locally and internationally. Suzie has received several awards for her achievements and contribution to the arts.
She was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 1998 and a Dame in 2011 when she was also awarded Wellingtonian of the Year for her contribution to the arts. In 2014 Suzie was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Massey University for her contribution to art and design. In 2015 Suzie was named New Zealand’s Deloitte Top 200 Visionary Leader for the Year.

Theresa Gattung CNZM | Feminist Philanthropist | 2021
Theresa Gattung is a renowned New Zealand business leader. She is an advocate, author, philanthropist, and investo. Theresa has long been a trailblazer for women leaders and is perhaps best known for her role as CEO of Telecom New Zealand. Since leaving Telecom, she has divided her time between professional governance, entrepreneurial pursuits, and philanthropic work. Theresa has held multiple governance positions including, Chair at AIA Australia and New Zealand, Telco Technology Services, Co.OfWomen, Wellington Board of the SPCA and the Royal New Zealand SPCA National Board. In addition, she is a member of the National Advisory Board on Women's Employment as well as the board of Global Women.
Theresa is involved in numerous not-for-profit and philanthropic efforts, including being on the Global Board of World Pulse, being co-founder of the World Women Charitable Trust and Patron of the Cambodia Charitable Trust. In addition, she is a supporter of The Pūriri Education Charitable Trust, Kootuitui ki Papakura, Gandhi Nivas, the Aunties and Amnesty International. In the 2015 New Year's Honours List, Theresa was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to business and philanthropy. She was also inducted into the Marketing Hall of Fame at the 2015 TVNZ Marketing Awards. In 2017, she was named the inaugural winner of the NEXT Magazine Lifetime Achievement Award.

Christine Sharma | Fashion Dynasty Doyenne | 2021
Christine’s career in the fashion industry has spanned more than 45 years. She started her working life as a kindergarten teacher. While training for that qualification, she worked as a retail assistant and it was during this time that Christine found an unequivocal interest in the industry. Over the last 14 years, Christine has led RUBY as its Managing Director to become a household name in Aotearoa's fashion industry. It has become a brand best known and loved for the mutually nourishing relationship with its community. To date, RUBY has had over 700 employees, of which 98% have been women.
RUBY currently has seven retail stores across New Zealand, interacts with over one million customers every year and has amassed a large, loyal online following over 120,000 people. Throughout Christine's career, she's worked to support The Women's Refugee, Auckland City Mission and Dress for Success. She initially set up the collection for the Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre when it first opened. For her work at the Refugee Resettlement Centre, she garnered a Rotary Award.

Kiri Nathan MNZM | Te ao Māori Champion | 2021
Kiri Nathan of Tai Tokerau and Waikato descent is the co-founder of the fashion brand KIRI NATHAN. The brand is renowned for the inspiration it derives from Aotearoa and Te Ao Māori. She is the first New Zealander to be invited by the British Council to the London Fashion Week International Showcase. She was also the first New Zealand Fashion designer to work with Walt Disney for the world premiere of MOANA. One of Kiri’s lifelong commitments and contributions has been to support other women. She is a member of Co.OfWomen and has advocated for and mentored women and girls for over 20 years. She is a member of the Wāhine Toa roopu that identifies prominent wāhine Māori leaders. One of Kiri’s focuses has been advocating for more Wāhine Māori presence in groups and spaces predominantly identified as non-Māori. Kiri is a founding board member of the I have a Dream charitable trust. In her philanthropic work, she supports the education of over 1,500 decile one children. Kiri also sits on the New Zealand China Council and Mindful Fashion boards. In the 2020 Queens Birthday honours, Kiri was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Māori and the fashion industry.

Cecilia Robinson | Serial Entrepreneur | 2020
Cecilia Robinson is most recognised as the founder and former CEO of My Food Bag, but the experienced entrepreneur founded her first business Au Pair Link in 2007, aged 21, and most recently she is the Founder and Co-CEO of Tend, all alongside her husband James Robinson. Touted as a serial entrepreneur and one of New Zealand’s most successful businesswomen, she is also the mother of two young children, Tom and Leila, and a passionate advocate for women and mothers, while still CEO of My Food Bag Cecilia launched one of the most generous private company schemes in NZ with provision for 18 weeks paid parental leave. Over the past decade, she has been a mentor to women in business and the community. She is currently providing mentoring and business strategy to two start-ups and established businesswomen challenged by the post-COVID lockdown economy. Cecilia is the founding Trustee of Princes Trust in New Zealand focussing on Youth Entrepreneurship and the Environment and supports multiple NZ charities and social enterprises.

Dame Hinewehi Mohi DNZM | Te reo Māori Champion | 2020
Dame Hinewehi Mohi, DNZM has tribal affiliations with Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngāi Tūhoe. She made history in 1999 when she was asked to sing the New Zealand national anthem at the Rugby World Cup at Twickenham. She chose to sing the anthem only in Māori, sparking controversy and significant media attention. As a result, the government announced a directive that the national anthem should be sung bilingually at all important events and fixtures. Her contribution to NZ society began in broadcasting, and she is still involved with it over 30 years later. She has worked as a presenter and director, and as the first woman producer of TVNZ’s Marae programme she has inspired many others in the sector. Through her own production company, Hinewehi has produced over 300 hours of TV and digital content adding to and reinforcing the importance of Māori language and culture in Aotearoa. Hinewehi is well known for her passion for music and her belief in its therapeutic power. After her daughter Hineraukatauri was born with cerebral palsy, Hinewehi co-founded the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre, helping children and adults with a wide range of special needs including Down Syndrome, Autism, and Dementia. 16 years on, the Centre provides music therapy for over 520 people each week, in its three facilities in Whangārei, Auckland, and Hawkes Bay.

Marisa Fong | Recruitment Industry Disruptor | 2020
Hinewehi Mohi, MNZM has tribal affiliations with Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngāi Tūhoe. She made history in 1999 when she was asked to sing the New Zealand national anthem at the Rugby World Cup at Twickenham. She chose to sing the anthem only in Māori, sparking controversy and significant media attention. As a result, the government announced a directive that the national anthem should be sung bilingually at all important events and fixtures. Her contribution to NZ society began in broadcasting, and she is still involved with it over 30 years later. She has worked as a presenter and director, and as the first woman producer of TVNZ’s Marae programme she has inspired many others in the sector. Through her own production company, Hinewehi has produced over 300 hours of TV and digital content adding to and reinforcing the importance of Māori language and culture in Aotearoa. Hinewehi is well known for her passion for music and her belief in its therapeutic power. After her daughter Hineraukatauri was born with cerebral palsy, Hinewehi co-founded the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre, helping children and adults with a wide range of special needs including Down Syndrome, Autism, and Dementia. 16 years on, the Centre provides music therapy for over 520 people each week, in its three facilities in Whangārei, Auckland, and Hawkes Bay.

Dame Bronwen Holdsworth | Global Engineering Innovator | 2019
Dame Bronwen is finance director and chairman of the Holdsworth Group whose flagship company, Pultron Composites Ltd, is internationally regarded with world-class manufacturing facilities in NZ and Dubai. Pultron is a leader in the research, development and manufacturing of high-performance glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) pultrusions and has a track record of rapid innovation and R&D achievement, successfully developing more than 45 new specialist structural products used internationally in various civil/infrastructure structures. Over the years, Dame Bronwen has been involved with a range of activities, both locally and nationally, in the areas of the arts, education and business, such as the East Coast Business Development Board, Gisborne Opera Festival, Prime Minister’s Enterprise Council, TVNZ board and many others. She was the establishing chairman of First Light Tourism and is the current trustee of various trusts such as the Gisborne War Memorial Theatre Trust and acting director of the NZSO. Dame Bronwen’s many accomplishments include Business Woman of the Year in 1988; NZ Commemoration Medal in 1990; Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) in 1997; a Gisborne Millennium Medal in 2000; and was made a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in June 2015 Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Josephine Gagan | Healthcare Champion | 2019
Josephine is a third-generation nurse who believed strong women role models sowed the seeds for her career in the health profession. After 15 years of experience in clinical nursing and health management in the UK, Jo was one of the first students to complete her Postgraduate Diploma in Management (Health Services) at The University of Auckland. Jo founded Geneva Healthcare in 1996, now one of the country’s largest and most respected providers of Home and Community Services. In May 2018, Jo was appointed as Chief Executive of New Zealand Health Group Limited, to become the largest community healthcare company in the country. The New Zealand Health Group provides services to 30,000 New Zealanders by employing over 12,000 staff and has a combined turnover of $600 million a year. Over the last two decades, through Jo’s leadership, Geneva has revolutionised the way carers were trained by developing leading-edge online platforms to deliver training anywhere, anytime. Jo also serves as the Chairperson of the Minds for Minds Charitable Trust, who raise funds to support research focused on autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To date, Jo is the longest-serving women CEO amongst lead service providers in the New Zealand healthcare industry.

Wynnis Armour | Recruitment Industry Disruptor | 2019
After forays to secondary school teaching and Adult Education provision, Wynnis held senior management positions in both the public and private sectors. She was appointed by the then Dept. of Internal Affairs and the Dept. of Women’s Affairs to the three-person Video Labelling Body (a government body set up to provide guidance to consumers of the age group appropriateness of video content in a previously unregulated market). In 1990, Wynnis received a Commemorative medal for her work by the Minister of Women’s Affairs. And In 1994, worked for one of the largest recruitment conglomerates and quickly rose to become the company’s highest biller and a member of the Executive Leadership team. Wynnis then co-founded The Madison Group - one of New Zealand’s largest nationwide, staffing solutions companies and the recipient of many industry awards for innovation and excellence. To date, she sits on the Board of the publicly listed staffing company, making her one of the (all too few) women presently serving on an NZ listed company’s board.

Peri Drysdale MBE | Sustainability Vanguard | 2018
Peri Drysdale founded Snowy Peak Ltd in 1981, designing and producing high-quality, innovative luxury fibre blend knitwear which she subsequently exported globally. After pioneering the development of possum fibre and wool, knitwear brand Merinomink™ (fine merino and possum) was launched in 1996. Concerned with the long-term sustainability of the planet, Peri decided to found the lifestyle fashion brand Untouched World™ in 1998. In 2000 the Untouched World Charitable Trust was set up, funded by profits from sales from Untouched World clothing, products and services. Under Peri’s leadership, the company has won many awards in design, business excellence, exporting, retail, sustainability and ethical governance. In 1992 Peri was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her services to New Zealand (Manufacturing and Export). She has received the South Island Business Woman of the Year award 2002, and she was North and South Magazine's New Zealander of the Year for 2006. In May 2007 Peri was invited to present alongside 11 other companies from across the world at a UNESCO workshop in Bonn, Germany, on Corporate Education for Sustainable Development. Subsequently, Untouched World became the only fashion company in the world to carry the United Nations certification (UN DESD logo) on its garments for its ground-breaking programmes offered to young adults in leadership for a sustainable future. Untouched World continues to assist UNESCO on Education for Sustainable Development Strategy; and is listed one of three global exemplars in youth ESD on the UN GAP website. In 2018 the UWCT is partnering with the Mahatma Ghandi Institute to broaden the reach of these programmes beyond New Zealand.

Mavis Mullins MNZM | Agricultural Innovator | 2018
Mavis has a wealth of governance experience and, is an intuitive entrepreneur. Alongside her husband Koro and daughter Aria, Mavis is a Director of Paewai Mullins Shearing Ltd. This company was the first globally in this sector to achieve ISO 9002 certification. She also sits as a director on several public, private, whanau, and NGO businesses, including Chair of Atihau Whanganui Incorporation, a multiple-owned Maori entity, farming sheep beef, dairy, and forestry agribusiness, Chair of Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre, which provides learning and skills for the primary sector, Chair of Rangitane Tu Mai Ra, a Treaty settlement entity where a settlement has been achieved and now building the platform for economic and social health and wealth. She is also the Patron and Chair of AgriWomens Development Trust (AWDT), where rural women are empowered to be the leaders they aspire to be for their communities and the primary sector. Her other current board positions include Hawkes Bay Rugby Union director, Poutama Trust immediate past chair and board member, Wool Industry Research Ltd (WIRL) board member, Accelerate 25 Lead Team member, and Nga Whenua Rahui. Mavis has received numerous accolades including the 2017 Inductee into the NZ Business Hall of Fame, 2017 Massey University Distinguished Alumni Award, 2017 Auckland University Outstanding Maori Business Leader of the Year, 2016 Westpac Rural Woman of Influence, 2014 Auckland University Maori Woman Business Leader of the Year, 2002 MNZM, Queen’s Birthday Honour for service to the wool industry. Mavis also diligently is a free mentor to many young, not so young, hungry, competitive, ambitious, diligent, and focused women entrepreneurs.

Dame Pieter Stewarr | Fashion Industry Doyenne | 2018
Pieter is the founder of New Zealand Fashion Week, the leading creative industry event in the country. After establishing Pieter’s Model Agency in Christchurch in 1979, Pieter was appointed the associate editor of New Zealand’s premier fashion magazine, Fashion Quarterly. NZFW has consistently worked with new talent - from graduates to new designers and volunteers across many different production team genres - and it continues to inspire and assist them to form very successful careers. In 1988, Pieter formed a public relations and promotions company which became the umbrella business for her work in television productions and promotions, as well as the development of NZ Fashion Week. For six years, Pieter was the coordinator of the Corbans Fashion Collections followed by the Wella Fashion Collections and Wella Fashion Report television programmes and events, running the business operations and organising everything from sponsorship to producing the events and television programmes for TVNZ. Pieter has always been highly active in charity work beginning with local Plunket and School committees to Child Cancer Foundation and Going for Goals. She has been a director and chairman on many boards in the education and health sectors, including Chairing St Margaret’s College Board for ten years and Deputy Chairman of the national Independent Schools Council. In 2012 Pieter was recognised for her exceptional services to fashion and community and was made a Dame in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Audette Exel AO| Social Justice Champion | 2017
Audette is the founder of the Adara Group – proof that the power of business can be used to improve the lives of people in poverty. The Adara Group is made up of two Australian corporate advisory businesses, Adara Advisors and Adara Partners, whose sole purpose is to support its non-profit development organisation, Adara Development. Adara Development focuses on improving health and education for women, children, and communities living in poverty, through best practice service delivery, conducting world-class research, and sharing knowledge globally. Audette is a lawyer by profession specialising in international finance. She was formerly Managing Director of one of Bermuda’s three banks and acted as chair of the Bermuda stock exchange. She is one of the youngest women in the world to run a publicly traded bank. In 2015, Audette was a recipient of a World Class New Zealander Award and in 2016, was named Australia’s 2016 Leading Philanthropist by Philanthropy Australia.

Carmel Fisher | Leading Investment Advisor | 2017
Carmel is the founder and Managing Director of one of New Zealand’s largest investment managers and KiwiSaver providers, Fisher Funds. Since starting Fisher Funds in 1998, with a handful of clients and funds under management of $17 million, she has grown the business to manage more than $7 billion for 250,000 clients. Fisher Funds is now the fifth-largest fund manager and largest NZ-owned KiwiSaver provider. Carmel has mentored a number of investment professionals, is a business commentator and thought leader, and known for her ‘plain English’ communication on explaining investment and personal finance topics to investors. She has supported a range of charities and interest groups over a number of years, both privately and via Fisher Funds. As Carmel transitions from her full-time executive role later this year, she is looking forward to devoting time and energy in to developing her philanthropic interests.

Karen Walker CNZM | Fashion Pioneer | 2017
Fashion designer Karen Walker has become a global industry figure who is shaping the future of the fashion industry. Her eccentrically elegant style has established a stellar international following for her ready-to-wear eyeware, jewellery, bags, and fragrance. Alexa Chung, Lorde, Rihanna, Gigi Hadid, Florence Welch, and Lena Dunham count themselves amongst the formidable roster of celebrity fans. The Karen Walker brand is available in 38 countries, 200 cities, and 1020 stores including Barneys New York, Liberty London, and Harvey Nichols. Karen Walker’s commitment to social responsibility forms the basis of her business. Karen Walker works with Child Labour Free and is fully accredited for ready-to-wear manufacturing. She also works with the United Nations’ ITC Ethical Fashion Initiative. Karen has been an ambassador for Breast Cancer Cure for over 15 years. Karen Walker and its retail stores fundraiser for the SPCA and the Make-A-Wish New Zealand projects throughout the year.

Glennie Oborn | The Childcare Pioneer | 2016
Glennie’s working life started as a Primary School teacher but at 24 years of age and three months pregnant she quit teaching and opened an early childhood centre in Milford. Over 44 years later, her company Kindercare Learning Centres has enabled thousands of New Zealand women to further their careers and provide for their children, secure in the knowledge that their children are Safe Loved, and Learning.

Erica Crawford | Wine Industry Extraordinaire | 201
Erica’s work has spanned the sciences, global marketing, exporting, education, and the arts. She has a passion for creating and building companies with a particular love of the wine industry. As co-founder of Kim Crawford Wines, Erica created a new business model – the virtual wine company.

Ciilla Hegarty | Innovative Tax Guru | 2016
Cilla Hegarty is the Founder and Chief Executive of Christchurch-based company, WooHoo NZ Tax Refunds (NZTR). Since 2008 her company has processed over 300,000 tax refunds and is regarded as one of the largest tax refund companies with more Kiwi taxpayers on its database than anyone else. WooHoo has 80 employees across the globe offering services in New Zealand and in the United Kingdom.

Dr Lee MAthias ONZM | Healthcare Champion | 2015
In 1995, Dr Lee Mathias founded Birthcare, and a new baby-friendly, breast-feeding-focused revolution in childbirth began. A decade later, Lee led another major transformation in the health sector when she co-founded Labtests and won the $850 million contract for the Northern Region. For the last seven years, her entrepreneurial focus has been on Pictor – founded by, Dr Sarita Kumble – it is rolling out state-of-art diagnostics in 3rd world nations and impoverished economies. India was first and Indonesia has just been completed. Lee is also the Chair of UNITEC, Counties Manukau DHB, the Health Promotion Agency, deputy chair of Auckland DHB and she has several other directorships.

Dame Julie Christie | TV Production Innovator | 2015
At the age of 27, Dame Julie Christie discovered that her common touch was key to producing high rating television and her future commercial success. Though Julie is most well known for being the trailblazer of ‘unscripted TV’ in NZ – the innovation that made her company so valuable was the development of programme formats and intellectual property for the international market. Julie sold Touchdown in 2007 and stepped down from programme-making three years ago to concentrate on governance and other projects in hospitality and the New South Wales master franchise for leading workplace drug-testing company, The Drug Detection Agency. Julie is a director of TV3 parent company, MediaWorks, is on several boards including the Flag Consideration Panel.

Annette Presley ONZM | Telco Industry Disrupter | 2015
In 1988 at the age of 24, Annette Presley was earning $300,000 a year as the head of her own IT Recruitment Company. She has remained at the forefront of the telecommunications industry ever since, co-founding the third largest telco in Australia before returning home to do the same in NZ. In April, Annette and her business partner sold the company that launched pioneering brands Slingshot, CallPlus & Orcon for $250 million – NBR estimate her share at $90 million dollars making Annette Presley one of the most successful and wealthy women in NZ. The Philanthropist is active in many charities in NZ including Shine and Sensible Sentencing Trust, she also participates in the teenage girls school programme, ‘Have a Dream’.

Dame Trelise Cooper | Fashion Icon | 2014
Dame Trelise Cooper is one of New Zealand's most successful and internationally accomplished fashion designers. She believes fashion is The Theatre of Dreams and celebrating all that it means to be a woman is at the forefront of her renowned, highly elaborate, and spectacular fashion. Establishing her business in 1985, Dame Trelise’s natural sense of beauty and design has helped cement the brand’s presence on the international fashion stage. Today there are ten flagship boutiques worldwide plus over two hundred across America, The Middle East, and Australasia. The Trelise Cooper style is born out of the adventurous New Zealand spirit and embraces the quirkiness and originality that comes with living at the edge of the world. The brand’s four labels – Trelise Cooper, Cooper by Trelise, COOP, and Boardroom – are adored by women across the world, including high-profile international celebrities and pop stars. The power of Trelise Cooper has also translated into three luxurious brand extensions - Trelise Cooper Jewellery, signature fragrance ‘Trelise’ and Trelise Cooper Home. Empathetic, creative, and passionate, Dame Trelise Cooper is well known and respected for her philanthropy and sponsoring of both charitable and ideological causes in New Zealand and abroad. She is the patron of the Breast Cancer Research Trust and Auckland’s Returned Services Association for War Veterans. Her good works have also been rewarded by Queen Elizabeth II, becoming a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2004, and Knighted as a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2014 for services to fashion and the community.

Ranjna Patel ONZM | Healthcare Innovator | 2014
Ranjna is a founder, director, and member of the Executive Committee of the East Tamaki Healthcare (ETHC) Group of Companies. With a network of 25 general medical clinics across Auckland, working with over 170,000 patients has vast experience in Practice Management and community-based medicine and a deep understanding of health inequalities. Ranjna currently holds a range of leadership, advisory, and governance roles involving medical practice development, strategic development, and public relations. She is a Board member / Trustee of many community and voluntary organisations including International Swaminarayan Satsang Organisation ( ISSO ), ISSO Seva, Chairperson of NZ Central Indian Association Women's Group, Lottery Auckland Distribution Committee, Counties Manukau South Asian Police Advisory Board , Chair of MIT Indian Community Advisory Group and was on National Advisory Council on the Employment of Women. She was made an ONZM fin 2016 for her work in the Indian Community. She has been a Justice of Peace since 1996. Her company has won several awards. Ranjna was named Best Businesswoman of the Year at the Indian Business Awards - a finalist in the Business Entrepreneur category of the Women of Influence Awards 2013 and EY Entrepreneur of the Year awards and named Visionary Leader of the Year in the Deloitte 200 awards.

Diana Harrington CNZM | Serical Portfolio Entrepreneur | 2014
In 2014 Diane was named in Forbes Asia Magazine as one of Asia’s 50 most powerful women. She is the Founder, Chair, and CEO of Emerald Group Ltd. Founded in 1994 It has offices in New Zealand, Australia, and China. The group is distinctive in its portfolio of interests crossing a range of sectors and including both product and service businesses. Emerald has invested widely in both wholly-owned or as a significant shareholder in a range of businesses sectors including healthcare, residential retirement properties, furniture and dairy manufacture, recruitment, and contracting services, boutique hotel, marketing, sales, and distribution of New Zealand Natural Infant Milk formula in China Diane is Chair of the Ferguson Foreman Foundation that has been established to support Education, child health, and deaf education, and both CEO and Chair of the Picasso Trust. Diane has received many accolades for her success including New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Best New Zealand Business Operating Internationally between $10 and $50 million and named by EY as Entrepreneur of the Year in 2009.

Anne Norman | Retail Magnate | 2013
Anne Norman is a proud New Zealander. Together with her husband, David, they have built somewhat of a retail empire over more than 40 years. Their chief enjoyment in this journey has been in bringing iconic Kiwi companies, such as Farmers and Whitcoulls back to New Zealand ownership. Their first enterprise was a small building development company of which David was the foreman and Anne ran the office. From this humble beginning, their business interests have grown into the large retail business they operate today. Collectively they operate nine brands, over 650 retail outlets, and more than 12,000 employees in New Zealand and Australia.

Naomi Ballantyne ONZM | Financial Services Pioneer | 2013
Naomi has 35 years of experience in the New Zealand Life Insurance Industry and a founding employee of Sovereign, which is now the largest player in the NZ marketplace. At Sovereign, she rose through the ranks to become Chief Operating Officer with direct responsibility for over 600 staff. Naomi left Sovereign after 11 years to found Club Life in 2001, which she built up and sold to ING NZ in early 2004. She stayed on as Managing Director for over five years during which Noami lead the company’s rapid growth taking it to the position of the second-largest life insurance company in New Zealand by new business market share. (ING Life is now known as OnePath Life.) Naomi left ING in September 2009, to build – Us Advice, which was a unique concept for the provision of financial advice to New Zealand families, something she is most passionate about. In November 2011, Naomi met up with some old friends and as a result of a lively discussion about the current state of the New Zealand Life Assurance industry, is now smack in the middle of building her third Life Insurance Company – Partners Life Limited alongside Sovereign Founder Chris Coon.

Sharon Hunter | Tech Entrepreneur | 2012
Sharon started PC Direct in 1989 at the age of 21. Total start-up capital from 3 shareholders was 60,000. The business was sold in 1996 to United States Office Products for circa $20 million. It employed over120 staff at the time of sale. Hirepool was first purchased in 2003 from Owens Group in a leveraged buy-out, together with Goldman Sachs JB Were for $43 million. It was sold to Next Capital in 2006 for circa $170 million. Hunter Powell Investments remained invested in the company as the largest non-institutional shareholder. The company grew to more than 500 staff and had a nationwide presence of more than 70 business units in 5 years since it was first acquired in 2003. Hunter Powell remains a shareholder of NZ Rental Group, the parent company of Hirepool, Porta Loo, Henderson Rentals, and others. Sharon is a Trustee of the Starship Foundation, was on the board of the Rugby World Cup, and also sits on a range of other boards. Following her induction, Sharon was appointed to Co.OfWomen's board.

Anita Finnigan | Education Champion | 2012
Anita was the sole parent of 5 children when she started Best Pacifica Institute in 1986 with just 30 students & 2 staff. She has built the organisation to be the largest Private Training Establishment (PTE) in New Zealand with 180 staff and 2700 students and 5 campuses in Auckland. Anita has dedicated the organisation to serve the needs of Pacific Islands communities here in Auckland and for 25 years has delivered vocational education and training to adults and young urban Pacifica youth. Anita established the organisation with the dual goals of achieving educational qualifications and securing employment. Because of Anita's dedication to both qualifications and career outcomes, she established an in-house career and employment consultancy called "BEST People" which has 5 full-time employment brokers and 3 full-time careers counselors who work with every rust to secure employment before students graduate. Anita has developed and pioneered a very unique and successful business model and a successful educational model. BEST has been a "disruptive innovation" within the state-dominated education system because she has successfully developed a rigorous and effective learning and teaching environment where Pasifika students and Maori students succeed. Anita's business and educational model combines entrepreneurial ingenuity with huge public good outcomes and economic contribution to Auckland’s workforce. Anita believes in developing leaders and invests extensively in developing the business skills and experience of the women within the organisation and senior leadership team as well as a rig network of younger and up-and-coming women in other organisations.

Colyn Devereux Kay | Global Homewares Pioneer | 2012
It Colyn's generosity in supporting women in business that inspired the instigation of the Hall of Fame. It was on discovering Colyn's Altzheimers diagnosis that Hall of Fame founder, Tara Lorigan, realised she would not be able to thank her for her generosity...
Colyn is the founder of two global brands. One she started at her kitchen table driven by the need to support her two children and the other she co-founded with her daughter, Charlotte Devereux. Les Floralies turned into a global business and is now owned and operated by her son Danvers. Colyn mentored a large number of women in business in addition to sitting on a wide range of boards including Chair of the Breast Cancer Research Trust and Auckland Chamber of Commerce. She and her businesses have been recognised with numerous awards and in fact, Colyn was the inspiration for the Hall of Fame. Sadly Colyn contracted Altzheimers in 2011 and was unable to attend the ceremony but she was beautifully represented by her two children. Colyn passed away in 2021 and is very much missed by the business community.
The Ceremony
