Traci Houpapa MNZM JP

Named amongst the BBC’s 100 most influential women in the world and as one of the top ten most influential women in New Zealand agribusiness, Traci Houpapa MNZM JP (Waikato Maniapoto, Taranaki, Tūwharetoa) is an award-winning company director and renowned agribusiness leader. 

With her rural upbringing on a sheep and beef farm in the Ngākonui Valley in Central North Island and her intrinsic commitment to kaupapa Māori, Traci has laid the foundation for an impressive career centered around promoting Māori leadership and participation in agribusiness. 

Traci's expertise lies in advising Māori, government and industry orgs on strategic and economic development. Her governance journey began on Te Uranga B2 Incorporation — today, Traci sits on a number of different boards of corporations, councils, authorities and foundations nationally and internationally. Her unwavering goal is to promote Māori leadership in the transition and adaptation of land use and land management in response to this  changing world, as well as encouraging the participation of wahine and rangatahi in Māori innovation and enterprise.

Traci's passion for promoting Māori leadership, diversity and innovation in agribusiness is unrelenting. Her dedication to empowering others and driving positive change in the industry has made her an inspiration and valuable leader in Aotearoa’s agribusiness community.