Bay of Plenty women have been named as finalists in the Women of Influence Awards for 2021. Photo / NZME
From chief executives to students, six Bay of Plenty women have been named as finalists in the Women of Influence Awards for 2021.
The Bay finalists include Te Arawa Management Limited chief executive Cassandra Crowley, Cambodia Charitable Trust founder Denise Arnold and Moraka Menstral Cups chief executive and founder Shuari Naidoo.
Bay of Plenty Regional Council chief executive Fiona McTavish, House of Science chief executive and founder Chris Duggan, and Whakatāne dairy farmer Tina Armstrong, who runs Circular Eggs, have also been nominated.
They are part of 60 women chosen from around New Zealand named in the ninth annual awards, which recognise females making a difference in the work they do and paving the way for others.
Nominees are judged on the strength, scope and impact of their actions across 10 categories including arts and culture, environment, innovation, science and research, and public policy.
Regional council CEO Fiona McTavish was named a finalist in the Public Policy category.
Since becoming the council's chief executive in 2018, McTavish has used her influence to create greater gender equality internally and strengthen the council's relationship with Māori.
McTavish said she was honoured to be chosen as a finalist in the awards and proud to represent Toi Moana.
"These awards showcase women who are making a difference in the lives of New Zealanders.
"As chief executive, my role is to work for the council and with staff to make a difference for the communities in the Bay of Plenty. I am immensely proud of this alignment and the mahi of this council.
"My congratulations to all finalists for these awards and I look forward to hearing and connecting with these women."
Te Arawa Management Limited chief executive Cassandra Crowley said it was "always humbling" to be nominated in awards such as those that recognise female leaders.
Crowley, who is a finalist in the Board and Management category, said it was a "great reflection" and recognition of the teams and organisations she worked with.
Since starting her role as Te Arawa's chief executive in 2018, Crowley said it had been a period of rebuilding and growth.
"I look at the work I do as a real privilege. It is the reason why we get out of bed every morning."
Cambodia Charitable Trust founder Denise Arnold said it was great to be named a finalist in the Community Hero category.
"I see this as recognition of what my team in Cambodia do to improve the quality of teacher training throughout Cambodia, and at the other end of the spectrum to help children in rural Cambodia go to school."
The trust aims to develop free, high-quality education to vulnerable Cambodian children, especially girls.
Arnold, who is also director of Tauranga-based law firm Lyon O'Neale Arnold, said it also worked hard to help whole communities during Covid-19 when "there is no work and, therefore, no income".
"That means no food on the table. They have been providing rice to hundreds of families and have supported an additional 47 schools over our usual 23 CCT supported schools."
Arnold said it was a "real privilege" to see children continue to study while their school had been locked down for most of the year.
"We are very lucky to be in New Zealand compared to most developing countries. A humanitarian crisis in developing countries is looming."
Chief executive and founder of Moraka Menstral Cups, Shuari Naidoo, said it was the first time she had been nominated for the awards.
"I am so thankful to be acknowledged for my work."
The 19-year-old has been nominated in the Young Leader category.
Naidoo started her business at age 16 as part of the Young Enterprise Scheme, where students get to experience the start-up world first-hand by setting up and running their own business.
Three years on, she has been nominated in the Women of Influence Awards.
"I am still so surprised. It is such an honour.
"To win my category would mean an acknowledgement of the hard work we do with period poverty, feminism, and as women of colour in New Zealand."
House of Science chief executive and founder Chris Duggan said she felt "honoured and humbled" to be named a finalist in the Innovation, Science and Health category alongside some "incredibly inspiring women".
"The recognition will help raise the profile of House of Science and the importance of ensuring our tamariki receive great science lessons while at primary school."
Duggan left her teaching position in 2013 and has since been empowering New Zealand teachers to deliver engaging science lessons in their classrooms.
The charitable trust, House of Science, provides curriculum-based science resource kits for primary and intermediate-aged students to boost resources in schools and increase teachers' confidence in delivering science.
Westpac NZ acting chief executive Simon Power said he was pleased to see many young faces among this year's finalists.
"From innovative ideas aimed at reducing waste and cleaning up the environment to new initiatives around supporting the wellbeing of our rangatahi, it's great to see young Kiwi women taking the lead on issues that matter to all of us."
Power said it was also great to see such strong nominations in the Business Enterprise category.
"Kiwi SMEs have proven adaptable and resilient in tough conditions this year, and we'll continue to work together with them to help drive Aotearoa's economic recovery into 2022."
A Women of Influence supreme winner is chosen from among the 10 category winners.
Previous supreme winners include microbiologist and science communicator Siouxsie Wiles (2020), neonatologist Dame Jane Harding (2019) and founder of domestic violence charity The Aunties, Jackie Clark (2018).
The finalists will be honoured at a Women of Influence Awards gala dinner in Auckland on February 10, 2022.
Board & Management: Cassandra Crowley, CEO, Te Arawa - Rotorua
Community Hero: Denise Arnold, Founder, Cambodia Charitable Trust - Tauranga
Young Leader: Shuari Naidoo, CEO and Founder Moraka Menstral Cups - Tauranga
Primary Industries: Tina Armstrong, Farmer, Circular – Whakatane
Public Policy: Fiona McTavish, Chief Executive Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council - Tauranga
Innovation, Science and Health: Chris Duggan, CEO and founder, House of Science - Tauranga