In 2014, the Waitaki Irrigators Collective policy manager received a travel grant from the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust to study water management and beneficial farming practices.
She spent four weeks travelling in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Manitoba and New Brunswick, meeting government representatives, academics, water managers, farmers and members of the irrigation community, investigating sustainable use and management of fresh water and exploring catchment management strategies and farm management practices.
While she did not return with all the answers she was looking for, Ms Soal said the experience had been ''invaluable''.
She said it was ''refreshing'' to discover New Zealand was not alone in facing challenges, though it faced a ''unique set of circumstances''.
People she met also wanted to hear about the New Zealand experience and what was done here.
The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust was established in 1965 with funds from both the Government and the public.
Since then, net income earned from investments has been used to award up to 15 Churchill fellowships each year, assisting New Zealanders to travel overseas to learn more about other people and cultures and to investigate topics that will help them to increase their contribution to the community and their trade, industry, profession, business or calling.
The awards ceremony yesterday marked the completion of the 2014 recipients' formal reports about their experiences.
Other fellows celebrated yesterday had researched topical issues for New Zealand such as social enterprise and social housing and workplace resilience after a natural disaster.
Ms Soal said it was ''humbling'' to be surrounded by people who played such important roles in their professions.
''It's been fantastic,'' she said.
Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew said since 1965, more than 840 New Zealanders had taken up the unique opportunity.
''These fellows return with fresh perspectives and new ideas which they are able to apply in New Zealand and which benefit our communities greatly,'' Mrs Goodhew said.
The awards were hosted at Government House.
