Dame Jools, 68, died on Saturday.
She had been living with breast cancer.
A day before her death, the Topp Twins received the award for contribution to country music at the Country Music Honours held in Gore.
New Zealand Songwriters Trust chairwoman Vanessa Harvey released a statement extending their ‘‘deepest condolences’’ to Dame Jools’ family.
The statement was also on behalf of the Country Music Honours, the MLT NZ Gold Guitar Awards and the Tussock Country Music Festival.
‘‘Jools has always been a huge part of the Gold Guitar Awards in particular, and her presence, humour, generosity and talent will be profoundly missed by our country music community and by all who knew and loved her.’’
Wanaka A&P Show general manager Jane Stalker said Dame Jools’ death was ‘‘a loss to the entertainment industry and to New Zealand’’.
The Topp Twins were ‘‘icons’’.
They performed at the show in 2024 and 2017.
Mrs Stalker said she considered asking them to perform again this year because they were always a huge hit with the community.
‘‘They always got the best crowds.’’
The twins were particularly good guests given their interest in and support for A&P shows around the country.
As well as their song and dance routines, jokes and ‘‘slightly risky political slants’’, the twins would go around and talk to people.
‘‘They were just bloody good performers.’’
Gore Country Music Club president Julie Mitchell said Dame Jools was ‘‘just the most fun-loving, wonderful person’’.
She and Dame Lynda paved the way for people to be proud of who they were and encouraged young people to give it a go.
‘‘On all their tours, they had this philosophy; they said if the door’s open for you, put your foot in and hold it for others to get through.
‘‘That’s the unquestionable trademark for me of their support of young people.’’
The Topp Twins also gave a special, one-off performance in Dunedin as part of the Fifa Women’s World Cup fan festival, in 2023.
In a statement on the Topp Twins’ Facebook page, Dame Jools’ family said they had lost ‘‘a true warrior woman’’.
‘‘Jools was wise, courageous, generous, inspiring and funny.
‘‘We will miss her forever.’’
In 2008, the Topp Twins were inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame.
The twins’ manager, Arani Cuthbert, told RNZ the pair touched countless lives.
‘‘I don’t know any other artist in New Zealand who reached so many corners of Aotearoa and really connected with many people from all walks of life.’’
Starting out as buskers and political activists, the twins were everywhere in the 1980s.
‘‘They were performing at universities and jumping up on tables at the cafeteria and then you’d see them along Queen St on a Friday night busking.
‘‘There was no-one else like them and there never will be.
‘‘They were just an incredible force and really unique and humble.’’ — additional reporting Gerrit Doppenberg, RNZ
