Source: New Zealand Minerals Council
Four outstanding women in extractives were recognised today for their achievements, receiving top honours at the industry’s annual awards.
New Zealand Minerals Council, Aggregate and Quarry Association (AQA), and MinEx hosted the Komatsu New Zealand Women in Extractives event and awards ceremony in Hamilton.
Megan Williams, from Reefton, was named MITO Emerging Star for her work as Senior Sustainability Advisor at Endura Mining’s Snowy River gold mine.
Megan is well known on the West Coast for building strong relationships with regulators, community groups, and colleagues and for being focused on the best possible environmental outcomes. Megan joined the team at Snowy River last year after playing a central role in the Reefton Restoration Project following the closure of the Globe Progress gold mine near Reefton. Her professionalism and approachable style have seen her work with colleagues to develop innovative ways to ensure Snowy River is a sustainable, environmentally responsible mine.
Nicole Pierce was named MinEx Kristy Christensen Memorial winner for her contribution to making everyone feel valued and included in her role as Quarry Operations Coordinator at Waiotahi Contractors in Whakatāne.
Nicole creates a safe, inclusive environment where people feel supported to speak up, are listened to, and are genuinely cared for. Her approachability, empathy, and practical leadership strengthen wellbeing, capability and team morale, making a lasting, positive impact across the quarry. She is a trusted sounding board and plays a key role in supporting mental wellbeing, encouraging open conversations and helping team members work through both work related and personal challenges.
Heather McKay, from the West Coast, was named IOQNZ Leader of the Year for her work as General Manager Environment and Sustainability at Westland Mineral Sands.
Heather’s leadership is grounded in initiative, influence, collaboration and a genuine commitment to bring people together to achieve outcomes that benefit both industry and the community. She works with iwi, community, and technical groups, helping shift sustainability from a function to a shared mindset. Through her work, Heather is helping demonstrate how extractive industries can operate responsibly, engage meaningfully with communities, and deliver lasting environmental and economic value.
Sue Bonham-Carter, from Nelson, is the AusIMM New Zealand Extractives Trailblazer, acknowledging her 35 years in the industry and her current role as Acting General Manager Resource Development at Bathurst Resources and Director BCP Associates (NZ).
In that time, Sue has worked around the world from Laos, Colombia and Africa, to Australia, Canada and New Zealand. She is the kind of trailblazer who reshapes an industry through unwavering technical excellence, calm judgement, and a belief in the potential of every person she works with. She leads with integrity, uplifts others, and shares her considerable knowledge at conferences and technical gatherings. Alongside an impressive career, Sue has had her eye on the next generation and has raised three brilliant STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) qualified daughters.
“In our fourth year of these awards, we continue to see the depth of talent from women in the extractives industry, which is extraordinary considering they are the minority of workers,” says AQA and MinEx CEO Wayne Scott. “We had 20 entries for these awards, and we want to acknowledge every one of them as a talent we want to keep.”
“It is interesting to see this year the work being done on the important environmental side of extractive operations and how women working in this space are collaborative and taking others with them for wider community outcomes and acceptance,” says New Zealand Minerals Council CEO Josie Vidal.
“Each woman has an inspiring story, and we hope people outside the industry will take the time to listen to them and learn about the many positive impacts of the extractives industry,” Vidal says.
