Annah Stretton MNZM

Annah Stretton is one of New Zealand’s leading entrepreneurs and a force in fashion design. She founded her fashion empire on a Waikato dairy farm and quickly turned over her first million, growing the business to export globally and operate 30 stores in New Zealand by 2010. She creates two designer collections each season—Annah Stretton and Annah.S—under the Stretton Group, balancing creativity with a sharp business acumen.

Recognised for her decisive, direct, and inclusive leadership style, Annah inspires confidence, independence, and ambition in the women around her. She is in demand as an inspirational and motivational speaker in New Zealand, Australia, and the UK.

Annah’s achievements have been widely acknowledged: she was appointed to the New Zealand Order of Merit (2008) for services to business, fashion, and the community, and was named 2009 Veuve Clicquot New Zealand Businesswoman of the Year. She serves on the advisory board of New Zealand Global Women and is actively involved in philanthropy.

As a fashion designer, Annah has presented at Air New Zealand Fashion Week since 2002 and at multiple Australian Fashion Weeks. She is also the owner and editor of Her and pink magazines, as well as Who’s Who, an annual publication celebrating New Zealand’s top women entrepreneurs. Her second book, Wise Heart (2011), shares the strategies and values behind her sustained success.