Celebrating the women
shaping the future of Aotearoa
Nominations
open now!
Nominate a Women of Impact in Property now!
We are proud to launch the 2027 Women of Impact in Property list – an annual celebration of outstanding wāhine toa who are influencing the future of placemaking, design, development, and community across Aotearoa New Zealand.
This initiative is part of Property Council New Zealand’s ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with 30 honourees recognised every year on International Women’s Day on 8 March, followed by a celebratory event.
Nominations close on 30 November – start tapping the shoulders of exceptional women today!
About the
List
From urban designers to quantity surveyors, students to CEOs, academia to charities, policy experts to project managers – the Women of Impact list highlights women across the property ecosystem who are driving change, championing equity, and building a better future.
This list is non-ranked and non-competitive. Our aim is not to identify the ‘best’, but to celebrate those who’ve inspired, lead, and uplifted the sector and the people within it over the past 12 months.
Why Now?
The purpose of International Women’s Day (IWD) is to uphold women’s achievements, recognise challenges, and focus greater attention on women’s rights and gender equality. It is celebrated worldwide to spotlight women, their issues and achievements, and has a different theme each year.
Women of Impact in Property was developed to align with International Women’s Day. It provides an opportunity to reflect on progress made and celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in New Zealand’s built environment.
Women of Impact in Property
Wāhine Toa Hokokāinga
2026/27
Key Dates
30 September 2026
Nominations
Open
30 November
Nominations
Close
December
Judging
Commences
8 March 2027
2027 Women of Impact in Property announced
6 May
2027 Women of Impact in Property Celebration
Nomination
Criteria
Women of Impact nominees will be assessed on the following achievements over the previous 12 months:
- Sector Impact: demonstrated impact in the property sector
- Leadership: Outstanding work or leadership in policy, development, placemaking, or community engagement
- Inspiration: Inspiration to peers, colleagues, or the next generation
- Equity and Inclusion: Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion
- X-factor: Unique contributions or achievements that set this nomination apart
Nominees can be at any career stage and from any property-related discipline — from development to design, engineering to investment, operations to strategy and beyond.
Nominations
are now open
Know a woman who’s shaped the future of the built environment over the past year?
The Women of Impact in Property list is an annual celebration of outstanding women who have influenced the future of placemaking, design, development, and community across Aotearoa New Zealand over the past 12 months.
In your nomination, outline how the nominee has shaped the future of Aotearoa New Zealand’s built environment and made an impact through her work, leadership, or influence in the past year. We welcome examples from across the property and placemaking sector — whether she is an urban designer reimagining neighbourhoods, a quantity surveyor driving innovation, a student bringing a fresh perspective, a senior executive breaking barriers, an advocate championing equity, or a mentor guiding others with generosity.
Please share specific stories, achievements, or contributions from the previous year (2026) that illustrate her impact on people, projects, communities, or the industry as a whole. Impact can be bold and visible, or quiet and far-reaching — what matters is the inspiration and change it creates. Consider how her actions align with the United Nations view of International Women’s Day as “a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women, who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.”
The Women of Impact in Property list is non-ranked and non-competitive. Our goal is not to decide who is ‘best,’ but to honour the diverse ways women contribute to the built environment.
Your 300–350-word nomination should reflect why her story deserves to be shared and celebrated.
Note: While nominees can be both members and non-members of Property Council New Zealand, the nomination must be made by a Property Council member. If you cannot see the nomination form below, please log in as a member.
Our
supporters
Women of Impact in Property is proudly powered by:
Help Us
Spread the Word
Great stories deserve to be shared. Whether you’re a colleague, an admirer, or simply someone who believes in lifting others up, help us shine a light on the women building Aotearoa New Zealand’s future.
✅ Share the campaign with your networks
✅ Encourage others to nominate
✅ Celebrate the honourees when the list is revealed on 8 March.
Meet our
Judges
We are privileged to be supported by an exceptional panel of industry leaders who generously gave their time, expertise and judgement to serve as our Women of Impact in Property judges.
We extend our sincere thanks to:
Janine Stewart, Chair & Partner, MinterEllisonRuddWatts
Leonie Freeman, CEO, Property Council New Zealand
Mark Thomson, National Chair, Property Council New Zealand
Todd Lauchlan, Managing Director – New Zealand, JLL
Their thoughtful consideration, professionalism and commitment to recognising excellence across our sector are appreciated.
Contact
For all enquiries, please contact:
Sara-Jane Evans
Head of Membership & Commercial Services
Property Council New Zealand