International Women's Day is on March 8, and in this issue, we celebrate women's achievements in leadership roles in primary industry.

Around the boardroom table of some of New Zealand's most influential industry bodies., we have some brilliant and capable women.

Why is this important? Because New Zealand agriculture is facing significant challenges, and diversity in leadership brings different experiences and perspectives to meet those challenges, meaning we are more likely to get creative and effective solutions.

It's essential that young women looking to have a career in the primary sector can see that there is a future for them, that women are there blazing the trail and forging a path for the next generation.

The line-up of women we have in this issue is impressive and inspiring. When we look at the number of women holding leadership positions in the board room, we can see the grass ceiling is, if not shattered, at least cracked.

The fractures are showing, and progress is being made.

There is still a long way to go, though.

According to the Ministry of Women, women are generally underrepresented in governance and leadership roles in the private sector.

Only 28.5 per cent of women hold director positions and 26.4 per cent of executive management positions across NZX-listed companies.

This holds weight when you consider that in 2022, women comprised around 47 per cent of New Zealand's workforce.

Referencing the 2022 Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Impact Report, Mint Asset Management chief executive Rebecca Thomas said that "results showed that companies in the top quartile for gender diversity in executive teams were 25 per cent more likely to have above average profitability than companies in the bottom quartile."

It is not about men not being excellent at the roles they hold; it's about diversity, inclusion and balance.

It's not about quotas; it's about removing the obstacles and creating pathways for women into executive roles.

I hope you enjoy reading what the female movers and shakers of primary industry have to say, and hopefully we can inspire the next generation of women in agriculture.

by Claire Inkson