News and Events

We’re excited to announce the upcoming Women in Public Service summit; tickets are now live. Register here!

The priority of these events is to provide professional development and network opportunities that will enable women to achieve their full potential, lift workplace engagement, inspire, motivate, and create professional connections. You can see past speakers and events on our LinkedIn profile.

Government Women's Network | Te Aka Wāhine o Aotearoa | LinkedIn

You are encouraged to attend if you are:

• ready for your first people or thought leader role
• looking for career progression in the public sector
• a champion of, or in a business role supporting diversity and inclusion in the public sector

Experienced public servants, practical workshops and in-depth panel discussions are all waiting for you at the Women in Public Service Summit 2026!

GWN is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Chair, Co-Chair and Steering Committee, marking an important leadership transition for the network.

From December 2025, Coyla Cameron (Ministry of Justice) took on the role of Chair, with Lyn Meredith (Inland Revenue) appointed as Co-Chair. Together, they will lead GWN into its next phase, with a continued focus on strengthening governance capability, connection and leadership confidence for women across the public sector.

Reflecting on the future direction of GWN, Coyla says:

“As the incoming chair, I am committed to supporting the growth of the network and empowering wāhine across the public sector to realise their potential. The whakataukī Whiria te taura here tāngata – Bind together the strands of humanity talks of encouraging unity and the gathering of different perspectives to form a stronger collective voice. I look forward to working with Lyn, my co-chair, to walk alongside an amazing and dedicated group of wāhine, to strengthen connection, build capability, and amplify the voices of women throughout the public sector”. 

Lyn adds:

“I am excited to working alongside Coyla and a new committee.  We want to ensure GWN remains practical, inclusive and responsive, supporting women at all stages of their careers, while strengthening the collective leadership that sits at the heart of this network.”

GWN would like to acknowledge and sincerely thank Nicola Johns (Outgoing Chair) and Nina Russell (Outgoing Co-Chair) for their leadership and commitment over the past two years.

During their tenure, Nicola and Nina provided steady stewardship through a period of growth and change, strengthening GWN’s strategic focus, partnerships and reach across the public sector. Their leadership has helped position GWN as a trusted and connected network, and their contribution has laid a strong foundation for the next phase of the network’s work.

He mihi nui ki a kōrua — thank you both for your service to GWN.

GWN also extends its sincere thanks to the outgoing members of the Steering Committee for their time, expertise and commitment:

• Karyn Thompson
• Tofilau Iris Webster
• Briar Wyatt
• Heather Guthrie
• Marie Schmidt
• Zoe Ogilvie Burns
• Emma Saunders
• Della Averina
• Kirsty Paterson, (Outgoing SGWN Chair)

Their collective mahi has played an important role in shaping GWN’s direction and strengthening the network’s impact.

Welcoming Our New Steering Committee

GWN is pleased to welcome 5 new wāhine toa to the Steering Committee, bringing fresh new perspectives from their different backgrounds and experiences.

We also acknowledge the ongoing connection and collaboration with our regional networks, including:

• Cupy Dee, Chair, Te Aka Wāhine o Tāmaki Auckland GWN, Te Mana Arai o Aotearoa NZ Customs
• Saana Judd, Co-Chair, Te Aka Wāhine o Tāmaki Auckland GWN, Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland Council
• Megan van den Hondel, Chair, Te Aka Wāhine o Te Waipounamu Southern GWN, Te Tari Taake Inland Revenue

These connections support a collective approach to leadership and governance development across Aotearoa. You can see the full list of the Committee members under EDIT|LINK_TO_OUR_STRUCTURE_HERE

Looking Ahead

As GWN enters this next chapter, the Chair, Co-Chair and Steering Committee remain committed to supporting women to build governance capability, confidence and connection, now and into the future.

He waka eke noa — we are all in this together.

GWN are excited to announce the appointment of two new Co-Chairs, and new Steering Committee members. Download the document below to apply!

GWN recently celebrated its 10th anniversary held at Parliament, recognising what we have collectively achieved over the years. GWN’s purpose is to be an enabler for public sector women to achieve their potential. We are positioned to be an agent for change and a collective voice. We partner with others to offer insights, skills and best practice. We have 3 regional networks in Auckland Wellington and the South Island that have a focus and formal presence on empowering women working in the public sector in these regions. GWN also works with and supports a host of women’s networks across public sector agencies.

GWN is entering a new strategic phase, guide by our 2025-2030 Strategy, which focuses on visibility, transitions, insight, and empowerment.  We are looking for passionate, strategic, and collaborative individuals who can help us deliver on these outcomes and amplify the lived experiences of women in Aotearoa

We are seeking to recruit new members to our Steering Committee, and we are looking for diversity within the committee membership, as well as geographical representation. This is a fantastic opportunity for new members to contribute their ideas and add value across the public sector. You also get to be a part of a positive, fun, and caring committee who work collectively on initiatives and support one-another to reach our individual and collective goals. 

This is a great opportunity, and you are encouraged to apply if you are:

• Passionate about gender issues and want to support women to achieve their potential
• A Strategic thinker but also has practical skills to deliver the work programme e.g. events, communications and network support
• A good communicator to build on our communications strategy and approach
• Innovative and want to try new things to help GWN thrive, and women succeed
• Looking for an opportunity to influence and be the voice of women network members
• A relationship builder who can create connections across agencies and employee-led networks
• Interested in intersectional issues that impact women that are part of different networks
• Are interested in supporting other employee-led networks across the public sector.

We are recruiting both a new Chair, Co-Chair, and members of the GWN Steering Committee.

Refer to the attached Expression of Interest (EOI) pack below. 

We welcome your Expression of Interest to become a member or chair, co-chair of the GWN Steering committee.

Expressions of Interest close on 26 September 2025.

Please send your completed Expression of Interest form to the DEI@publicservice.govt.nz

Hosts: Southern Government Women's Network

Venue: Spark Place - Tūranga Library  

Presenter: John Eatwelll

Facilitator(s): Kirsty Paterson and Megan van den Honsel

Date: 10th July 2025

John focused on creating healthier and more productive work environments through change and having courageous conversations. 

The Southern Government Women's Network held an event with speaker HR Specialist and Chartered Organisational Psychologist John Eatwell.

Key Takeaways

• People will work better and become better if they work on strengthening their strengths not their weaknesses 
• How to be courageous and have courageous conversations - Recollecting adversity– we have already done lots of hard things over our years – draw on these experiences to help with confidence in these situations
• We need overwhelming positives to negatives to feel a sense of belonging and positive connection
• How do we help people feel that their diversity is a strength? Sometimes when we have very diverse teams – communication can be less due to a number of factors, language, culture, confidence, but when we start being inquisitive and using appreciative inquiry we can find the differences between each other, which creates an interest in each other and a sense of belonging and better understanding 
• Leaders need to look after themselves as positive energy helps others to become better energised , we need good sleep, eat well, exercise so we are positively charged
• It starts with our new team members, making sure they understand our core values and why they are important to us as a business

Hosts: Auckland Government Women's Network Te Aka Wāhine o Tāmaki, in collaboration with Te Puni Kōkiri and Auckland Council

Venue: The Office of Te Puni Kōkiri, Manukau, Auckland 

Attendance: 80 people in-person

Date: 14 May 2025

Te Aka Wāhine o Tāmaki | Auckland Government Women's network was delighted to partner with Te Puni Kōkiri to facilitate a wānanga supporting wāhine across the Public Sector.

Eighty people - across a range of different organisations - showed up to upskill and feel more confident in their use of te reo and tikanga in the workplace.

Te Puni Kōkiri staff, including Holly, AGWN Komiti member, supported attendees increase knowledge around Te Reo pronunciation, opening and closing Karakia, and practicing Karakia and Waiata in a supportive environment.

Feedback from attendees: 

Hosts: Southern GWN in collaboration with INDIGO

Venue: Online

Attendance: Approximately 180

Date: 11 April 2025

Panel Facilitator: Fiona Baker

Panellists: Bethany Garland, Alex Bengree (Ngāti Porou), Alice Chisnall-Kalonuiviti

Embracing Neurodiversity - Building Inclusive Workplaces through Allyship

The Southern Government Women's Network partnered with INDIGO (Including Neurodiversity in Government Organisations) to host this online event on 11th of April. Over 300 people registered, and 184 attended online. The event featured a Q&A panel discussion with INDIGO committee members.

About the speakers

Fiona Barker

Fiona is a committee member of the Southern Government Women’s network, and strong believer in the importance of allyship to effect equitable work environments. She is also a member of INDIGO and a proud mum to an ASD teenager. Like our panel Fiona has firsthand experience of intersectionality and the difference effective allyship can make.  

Bethany Garland

Bethany stepped into her INDIGO co-chair role after being the co-secretary and co-lead for events when INDIGO was being stood up. She wanted to step into a space where she could support people across public agencies to have their needs met when it comes to work, as well as build awareness and knowledge about what it means to be neurodiverse. Bethany is currently exploring her neurodiversity. She came into this space being a neurotypical ally and has since learnt she is neurodiverse herself. She loves being part of INDIGO’s journey so she can give what she can to the community. 

Alex Bengree (Ngāti Porou)

Alex has been involved with INDIGO from the very early days and has been Co-Chair since the formation of the working group in 2024. She identifies as having what she lovingly refers to as “Mental Health BINGO” – a mix of things that includes late-diagnosed ADHD. Alex has always been passionate about mental wellbeing awareness, and now proud to champion the kaupapa of INDIGO to boost the understanding of neurodiversity throughout the public  

Alice Chisnall-Kalonuiviti 

Alice, a Principal Advisor and Registered Nurse, holds degrees in journalism and nursing, with postgraduate qualifications in tertiary teaching, professional practice, and sociology. With over 20 years in Māori and Pacific health, she has expertise in public and primary health, government policy, and education. An iTaukei Fijian/Scottish AuDHD solo mother of two, Alice is passionate about neurodivergence, access to education, and health literacy, bringing lived experience and professional insight to her work. Outside of work, she plays hockey, attends Armageddon in full cosplay, and collects ridiculous Hawaiian shirts. 

Terminology 

Neurodivergent

A term for individuals whose brain function differs from what is considered typical. This includes (but is not limited to!) hidden disabilities not uncommon in our workspaces such Autism, ADHD, Tourette’s syndrome, dyslexia, dyspraxia and audio processing disorder.  

Neurotypical

A term for individuals whose brain function is considered typical or ‘normal’.  

Neurodiverse

A term for groups that includes people who are both neurodivergent and neurotypical.  Many of our teams will be neurodiverse, but it may not be obvious on the surface!  

Neurodiversity

A concept that recognises and respects the wider variety of neurological differences between people.  

Intersectionality

A framework that acknowledges how various aspects of a person's identity—such as race, gender, sexuality, disability, and more—intersect and interact.  

Allyship

In the work context involves actively supporting and standing with colleagues who may be part of a minority group that you yourself are not a part of.  

Key takeaways

The high level of engagement during the event was evident from the numerous comments in the chat. These included questions around workplace accommodations, using AI, how to talk with your managers and avoid burnout. The outstanding feedback received highlights the need for more information on neurodivergence and underscores the importance of hosting more educational events like this. The engagement and questions from members will be responded to and sent out to participants with other post event resources. 

Special thanks to Fiona for facilitating, Kirsty for managing the tech, and our amazing INDIGO panel for sharing their heartfelt experiences. Your contributions have helped us all gain a deeper understanding of how we can better support and lead neurodiverse individuals in our everyday lives and workplaces.

Hosts: Government Women's Network Steering Committee

Venue: New Zealand Parliament, Legislative Council Chamber

Attendance: Approximately 145

Date: 25 March 2025

Master of Ceremony: Sio Kihe La'a Talakai-'Alatini and Lyn Meredeth (GWN Committee Members)

Panel Facilitator: Nina Russell (Co-Chair GWN)

Speakers: The Honourable Nicola Grigg (Minister for Women), the Honourable Judith Collins KC (Minister for the Public Service), Peter Mersi (Co-Sponsor), Naomi Ferguson (GWN Past Sponsor)

Panellists: DCE Ruth Shinoda (past GWN Steering Committee Chair), Anita Edwards (Past GWN Steering Committee Chair), Carin Sundstedt (Past GWN/ELN Programme Director), Liz Chin (Past Director GWN) 

Celebrating 10 years of GWN at Parliament

Hosts: Te Aka Wāhine o Tāmaki - The Auckland Government Women's Network, in collaboration with Auckland Transport Women's Network, PSA Women's Network and Te Rōpū Wāhine Auckland Council's Women's Network

Speakers:

• Keynote speaker Karen Chang, Director and Chief Executive of the Serious Fraud Office 
• Panel facilitators Natasha Lewis and Olivia Zhang
• Panellists Parul Sood, Commodore Maxine Lawes, Tahi Maunsell, and Ping Sim

Attendance: 270 in person, 160 online 

Te Aka Wāhine o Tāmaki The Auckland Government Women's network was delighted to host an International Women’s Day celebration #Accelerate Action together with Auckland Transport Women's Network, Te Rōpū Wāhine Auckland Council's Women's Network and PSA Women's Network.

Hosts:  Auckland Government Women's Network (AGWN)

Venue: Online via Teams

Date: 28 November 2024

Facilitator: Joanna Maskell Auckland GWN Chair

Speaker: Parul Sood, Deputy Director Resilience, and Infrastructure at Auckland Council

It was wonderful to spend 30 minutes with Parul and hear her insights into how to identify and maximise opportunities so we can push our careers forward.

This half hour lunchtime format will continue in 2025, so keep an eye on the ELN newsletter for the next episode!

Key takeaways