Stacey Waaka scored nine tries in four matches, helping New Zealand reach the women's World Cup final and securing the centre the women's Golden Boot.
The Warriors NRLW player, who made her name in rugby union, said: "This is for you sisters. I am honoured and blessed because I know how prestigious this award is."
Waaka and men's winner Kalyn Ponga received their International Rugby League awards at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday.
The 2026 awards were decided before Sunday's World Cup finals in Brisbane, where New Zealand and Australia were set to meet in both competitions.
Ponga, 28, earned the men's honour after two appearances for New Zealand, having previously represented neither Australia nor the Kiwis.
Rule changes let him play for tier-one nation New Zealand while continuing to represent Queensland in State of Origin; he said his choice honoured his Māori heritage.
"I definitely made the right choice and I knew that from the moment I made it," Ponga said.
In the World Cup opener, he broke his forearm but played on for about 20 minutes before leaving during New Zealand's 24-20 loss to Australia.
He returned 23 days later, earning player of the match in the Kiwis' 34-10 win over Tonga.
England's Rob Hawkins won the wheelchair Golden Boot ahead of Friday's final against France in Wollongong.