Regional Networks

Auckland GWN formally launched in Auckland on 18 March 2016 and continues to grow and develop through the efforts of the Working Group. Auckland GWN, unlike other government women's networks, is not tied to a specific organisation or agency.

In Auckland, there are over 120 separate government office sites and over 100,000 public servants. Auckland GWN Te Aka Wāhine o Tāmaki is a network for all interested women, and supporters, from any government organisation or agency in the wider Auckland area (e.g. Auckland Council, Auckland Transport, District Health Boards).

Auckland GWN's goals and aims

AGWN shares the larger GWN goals for their work. Where possible, events are held in a range of locations around the Auckland region, beyond just the CBD, to provide the best opportunities for women and their supporters to participate.

Auckland GWN shares the larger aims of GWN, and:

• Addresses topics of interest to women in the greater Auckland area and promotes regional networking events
• Shares resources and information between GWN and Auckland GWN and with networks throughout the Auckland region
• Shares successes and outcomes from events and connect with their members and networks
• Where relevant, supports GWN when information or help is sought
• Shares government information with Auckland GWN members and promote information and events publicised by GWN
• Shares issues, observations and suggestions from Auckland GWN members with GWN
• Partners with the Women in Public Sector Summit (Auckland).

Auckland GWN Committee

Auckland GWN's Committee, led by the group's Chair, is made up of agency members from across the Auckland region.

• Cupy Dee (Chair) - Customs
• Saana Judd (Deputy Chair) - Auckland Council
• Lynette Marchant - Royal New Zealand Navy
• Jenana Garibovic - Inland Revenue Department
• Sonja Lister - Auckland Transport
• Tai Leofo - Ministry of Social Development
• Holly Glover - Te Puni Kōkiri
• Victoria Matatonga - Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment
• Neesha Morar - Reserve Bank
• Farhat Shaikh - New Zealand Qualifications Authority
• Theresa Von Dincklage - Invest New Zealand
• Mary Keinholz - Heritage New Zealand
• Karren Lagrimas - Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment
• Anahita Oei - Ministry for Ethnic Communities
• Vanessa Wolfgramm - Port of Auckland
• Maria Nedeljkov - Ministry of Social Development

Join Auckland GWN Te Aka Wāhine o Tāmaki

To join Auckland GWN, reach out to us via contact@gwn.govt.nz

If you're interested in taking a more active role as part of the Auckland GWN Committee or occasional volunteering, we'd love to hear from you.

Auckland GWN LinkedIn

Auckland Government Women's Network - Te Aka Wāhine o Tāmaki | LinkedIn

Southern GWN was launched in Christchurch in May 2018, establishing a formal presence for GWN in the South Island. The launch of Southern GWN was achieved through the efforts and enthusiastic commitment from a group of Christchurch women, with leadership from several women in the New Zealand Customs Service.

Southern GWN Te Aka Wāhine o Te Waipounamu is not tied to a specific organisation or agency. Similarly to Auckland GWN, Southern GWN is a cross-agency regional network for all interested women and their supporters from any government organisation or agency in the South Island.

Southern GWN’s goals and aims

Southern GWN shares GWN’s larger goals and ensures their regional work is focussed on facilitating professional networking opportunities, leadership development, and supporting women with resources.

Outside Christchurch, government women in other South Island locations are encouraged to connect with each other and their supporters to hold local professional networking events. The West Coast Professional Women’s Network, a network for both public and private sector women, were part of setting up Southern GWN in 2018.

Southern GWN shares the larger aims of GWN, and:

• Identifies and pursues topics that are relevant to public sector women across the South Island and promotes regional network events
• Shares resources and information between GWN and Southern GWN and with networks throughout the South Island
• Shares successes and outcomes from events and connection with their members and networks
• Where relevant, supports GWN when information or help is sought
• Shares government information with Southern GWN members and promote information and events publicised by GWN
• Shares issues, observations and suggestions from Southern GWN members with GWN
• Continues to focus on increasing membership from women in public sector in the South Island.

Southern GWN Committee

• Megan van den Hondel (Chair) - Inland Revenue | Te Tari Taake
• Amanda Henman (Co-Chair) - NZ Police | Ngā Pirihimana O Aotearoa
• Shona Hickey - Natural Hazards Commission | Toka Tū Ake
• Kathy Connolly - Stats NZ | Tatauranga Aotearoa
• Casey Bartram - Christchurch City Council | Te Kaunihera o Ōtautahi
• Lisa Whalley - Natural Hazards Commission | Toka Tū Ake
• Kimberlee Wallace - Ministry of Justice | Te Tāhū o te Ture
• Paula Rātahi-Oneil - Ministry of Social Development | Te Kaunihera o Ōtautahi

Join Southern GWN Te Aka Wāhine o Te Waipounamu

To join Southern GWN, reach out to us via contact@gwn.govt.nz

If you're interested in taking a more active role as part of the Southern GWN Committee or occasional volunteering, we'd love to hear from you.

Southern GWN LinkedIn

Southern Government Women's Network | Te Aka Wāhine O Te Waipounamu | LinkedIn

GWN works with a number of women's networks across the public sector. 

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