Start the day with movement gentle Pilates or Yoga.

Pick up your lanyard & enjoy early morning networking & tea & coffee before the conference.

Make your way to the Hokonui, Trust & Lager Bar at Croydon Lodge

Right honourable Nicola Grigg, Minister for Woman

Protecting what matters most: Nurturing connection and kindling hope for the future.

Dr Denise Quinlan has had enough of racing ever faster on the hamster wheel and seeing work dominate too many lives.  Denise has witnessed and experienced the damage caused by fragmented attention through phones and multi-tasking, and the severed connections that result when tasks and efficiency take priority over people.  She says it’s time to stop fracking human resources and to protect our precious attention and connections. She will share practical actions you can take immediately that can transform your wellbeing and relationships. In an antidote to the  hopelessness she has seen around this country, she points out that “resilience grows between us as well as within us”  and calls on communities to rebuild collective resilience and belonging, and to support each other to rekindle hope. She will encourage you to ‘clean up your thinking’ about the future and deliberately build hope for a future you want.

Helen started daydreaming about a Women’s Health Bus in 2015, and is a co-director. Te Waka Wahine Hauora, The Woman’s Health Bus is a mobile health service, focused on womens health travelling to regional locations across Otago and Southland. They bring qualified health professionals to regional areas.  Helen is passionate about education and is an active educator for nurses, GPs, and is senior lecturer at the Dunedin School of Medicine University of Otago.

Spotlight on an inspiring wāhine

(pre-registration required)

The Story Within - Learning to Tell the Story Only You Can Share. Everyone has a story worth telling - yes, even you. But what makes a personal story powerful, memorable, and engaging? How do you turn lived experience into something that truly connects with readers?

In this workshop, Southland-based author Pauline Smith (Dawn Raid, My New Zealand Story) will unpack the key features of successful storytelling.

You’ll explore what makes personal stories resonate, examine real examples, and take part in reflective activities designed to help you gain confidence in shaping your own narrative and emotional truth. Whether you’re writing for publication, for whānau, or for yourself, you’ll walk away with practical tools and a deeper understanding of how to bring your story to life -  grounded, real, and truly your own.

No writing experience necessary. Just bring your pen and your curiosity.

Nourish your body from the inside out: Feeling tired? Flat? Out of sorts? Could your gut be the missing link?

In a world where busy schedules and constant demands take their toll, our gut and overall wellbeing often pays the price.  

In this workshop, Clinical Nutritionist Angela Evans reveals how gut health is not just about digestion, but how it can affect our energy, mood, and vitality as well.

Through a refreshing, holistic lens, Angela will show you how nutrition, sleep, stress management, and movement work together to support a thriving gut and a thriving you. 

Walk away with practical strategies to nourish your body from the inside out and feel the difference.

Have you ever been overwhelmed by stress that it has affected your health & well-being? Have you felt pressured by demands leaving you feeling like you are in constant survival mode or experiencing a complete lack of energy? If you have said yes to any of these, you are not alone. Constant demands, busyness, exhaustion can impact on our nervous system and it slowly depletes our cup.

In this workshop, we will unpack practical ways that we can support your nervous system to thrive instead of survive using the acronym S.H.I.F.T.

Learning outcomes:

• Understanding the science behind our nervous system states

• The importance of the gut-brain connection and how it impacts on our mental health & immune health.

• How we can strengthen our vagal tone to support a resilient nervous system

• Practical neural exercises you can incorporate into everyday life to support your wellbeing

More about Andrea Greer & other speakers

Financial wellbeing is a vital pillar of overall health—just as important as physical fitness and mental resilience.

In this session, we’ll explore key topics in a safe, supportive environment that makes talking about money feel inclusive, accessible, and empowering:

• The Financial Wellbeing Mindset
  Understand how money impacts mental health, self-worth, and life choices—and how to build a relationship with money grounded in confidence and clarity.

• Planning with Purpose
  Explore values-based financial goal setting that supports your life aspirations—whether that’s security, freedom, or leaving a legacy.

• Demystifying Financial Tools
  Learn the basics of saving, investing, and KiwiSaver in simple, jargon-free terms that empower informed decisions.

• Barriers & Breakthroughs
  Identify common challenges women face with money—like the confidence gap or career breaks—and how to overcome them with practical strategies.

• Small Steps, Big Impact
  Discover how to take immediate, actionable steps that build momentum and long-term change.

More about Zoe Wallis & other speakers

Ever been annoyed, angry or frustrated about changes made by decision-makers? Ever wondered how you could influence them? How to speak up and take your space? 

This workshop, building on Rural Women New Zealand’s extensive experience in advocating for policy change and influencing local and national decision-makers, is just the workshop for you.

Duration: 1.5 hours (will go into lunch break)

For women seeking to strengthen their advocacy skills and leadership presence

Workshop Goals:

• Develop confidence in speaking up in professional and community settings

• Discover and strengthen your personal communication style

• Build practical advocacy skills for creating meaningful change in your community and beyond

• Connect with other women wanting to make change 

Dive into the 'Return to Paradise' Pacific Art Workshop, where artist Ana Teofilo she shares the vibrant spirit of her Samoan culture and heritage. Explore the richness of traditional motifs through carving and blended with modern techniques to create your own stunning, one of a kind artwork to take home.  

Each panel member will speak about their leadership journey, sharing practical advice and insights into how they started or progressed their leadership or governance careers

More about our panellists and other speakers

Dive into the 'Return to Paradise' Pacific Art Workshop, where artist Ana Teofilo shares the vibrant spirit of her Samoan culture and heritage. Explore the richness of traditional motifs through carving and blended with modern techniques to create your own stunning, one of a kind artwork to take home.  

Tutored by Sam Hadfield

MC’d by Jo Brand

With NZ Netball Umpire, Kristie Simpson, and

Dr Jo Cribb

Millie is also one-third of the group The Dollys, who have performed all over Aotearoa and at the Tamworth Country Music Festival in Australia — sharing their music on stages, busking, and competing. Her passionate and heartfelt performances are sure to make the evening even more special.

More about Millie Cottam & other speakers