Mrs Nelson was named the winner of the leadership category at the 2026 New Zealand Workplace Health and Safety Awards in Auckland, an acknowledgement of her practical, farmer-led approach to reducing harm.
Safer Farms chair Murray Donald said the award was a proud moment for the organisation and a fitting nod to Mrs Nelson’s influence across rural communities.
"Lindy has helped bring farmers, industry and partners together around a shared goal: designing harm out of agriculture and making safer ways of working part of everyday farming.
"What makes her leadership so powerful is that it is grounded in real farming experience.
She understood the pressures farmers faced and had consistently championed practical change that could make a difference on farm, he said.
"New Zealand produces the best food in the world.
"Safer Farms wants New Zealand to be the safest place for people to work."
She also helped develop a partnership with ACC.
Mrs Nelson played a key role in the development of campaigns including "Half Arsed Stops Here", and "Safer Rides", which offered farmers financial incentives to offset the cost of purchasing and installing crush protection devices and other products on quadbikes.
She remained a Safer Farms director and in January, became its Farm Without Harm ambassador.
Together with the organisation’s "Regional Champions", she is working to lead conversations and culture change, share experiences and provide practical approaches for farmers across the country.
In 2016, Mrs Nelson was appointed as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for her services to women and agriculture
The New Zealand Workplace Health and Safety Awards identify the best in health and safety initiatives and shine a light on the people behind them.
Organised by Safeguard with the support of WorkSafe New Zealand and ACC, the 2026 awards were presented at a gala dinner at the Viaduct Events Centre in Auckland on June 23. — Allied Media
