Conference Guide | What to expect

Join us for a one-day & night event celebrating inspiring wāhine from across Aotearoa New Zealand

Enjoy a day filled with thought-provoking discussions, networking, interactive workshops, and more. Delight in morning and afternoon tea, lunch, nibbles, wine tasting, and a three-course meal at the stunning Finery in Alexandra.

DAY PROGRAMME(15 OCT 2024)

Morning session

The day begins with a mihi whakatau (welcome) led by the Uruuruwhenua Hauora Trustees Chair Louise Mckenzie & Francie Diver, Cultural Advisor (Board of Trustees),

Keynote speaker

We’re thrilled to have Dr. Denise Quinlan, a global thought leader in sustainable, future-focused wellbeing, and resilience, as our morning keynote speaker.

She will share strategies she’s taught to senior executives worldwide and reveal how she’s built her own (very imperfect) resilience.

Panel discussion

After morning tea, our panel will feature four inspiring wāhine from our region. They’ll share their stories of resilience and the difference they’re making in facilitating wellbeing across various sectors of our rural community:

(Left to right above)

  • Serena Lyders (Ngāti Porou), Founder of Whānau Consultancy Services

  •  Kuisitina Colailgo, Founder of Central Otago Pasifika

  • Bernadine Guilleux-Balle, Chair NZ GAP & Marketing Manager at Balle Bros Fresh Produce

  • Dr. Helen Paterson, founder of the Te Waka Wāhine Hauora - The Rural Women’s Health Bus

Opening remarks from the National President of Rural Women NZ, Gill Naylor.  

Leadership and Governance Consultant, and Chair of NZ Women in Wine, Dr. Jo Cribb, will be our MC, guiding us through the day’s activities. 

8:00 am Registration at the Finery

EVENING PROGRAMME

5.00pm - 9.30pm at the Finery

The evening commences with a Wine Tasting session hosted by Central Otago Women in Wine at 5:00 PM.

Our evening MC, Loshni Manikam, author and Founder of Thriving Farming Women, will guide us through inspiring conversations and activities.

Enjoy a delicious three-course meal at The Finery in Alexandra, Central Otago, while listening to stories from local wāhine and beyond.

Speakers include:

Dr. Kate Dixon and General Manager Jenaya Smith from Health Central, sharing their journey of expanding health and emergency services in Alexandra and the wider rural community.

Kate Scott, Chair of Rural Leaders New Zealand and Executive Director of Landpro, discussing her work in developing rural leaders across Aotearoa and balancing motherhood, governance, and business

.

Megan Longman and Kim Froggat, Co-Founders of Journeys, talking about their outdoor adventure programs that empower girls to explore their local wild places.

The evening will conclude with a scrumptious dessert and an inspiring keynote by Dame Farah Palmer, who grew up in Rural NZ (Pio Pio) before becoming the Black Ferns captain for three rugby world cups and the first wāhine ever appointed to the Rugby NZ board.

WORKSHOPS & ACTIVITIES

Afternoon session

Enjoy a relaxed lunch before diving into our afternoon workshops. You can choose two 45-minute sessions from a wide range of options, each designed to offer something for everyone. Depending on your selections, some workshops may require an additional activity fee or koha.

Options include:

  • Pasifika Zumba with Kuisitina Colailgo - expect giggles and fun!

  • Relaxing in the pamper suite. Book a 15 min slot with

    • Indian Head Massage with Serena Lyders

    • Head and Shoulders Massage with Heather Breen

    • Reflexology with Gabriela Schimidt

    • Shoulder / Head Massage with the Radiance & Day Spa team

  • Learning about women’s health insights on Perimenopause and Menopause with Naturopath Sharon Donaldson

  • Participating in an Interactive Workshop on Personal Investing for Women with Haley Van Leeuwen of Craig Investment Partners

  • Exploring the Rural Health Bus with Dr. Helen Paterson

  • Unlock Your Potential: A Transformative Workshop for Women with Wellbeing and Mindset coaching with Sarah Dickie

  • Quick and Easy make up tips: Enhance Your Natural Beauty" with Jo Thomas of Radiance Skin & Day Spa, Owner & Senior Therapist

  • An introductory yoga session with Angela Connell

And subject to interest:

  • Creating Stunning Flower Arrangements with Jo Robinson from Scrubby Gully Co

  • Personal styling tips with Personal Stylist Mel Munnik

Between workshops, enjoy a light afternoon tea. The last workshop ends at 4 PM, giving you some free time before the evening session.

*Please note that the day and evening programme maybe subject to change.

KEY NOTE SPEAKERS

Dr Jo Cribb is a professional director and consultant with a focus on governance, strategy, leadership coaching, and gender-focused initiatives.

Recent projects include evaluating Sport NZ's gender equity in governance policy, leading sessions at APEC 2023 on gender equality and drafting papers for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Jo previously served as the Chief Executive of the Ministry for Women, former Deputy and holds directorships on various Government and NGO boards, including the New Zealand Winegrowers, New Zealand Media Council, and Royal New Zealand Navy.

She earned a Doctorate in Public Policy, focusing on government-NGO contracting relationships and has undertaken research on the future of work, including co-authoring the recently re-released book "Don't Worry About the Robots: How to Survive and Thrive in the New World of Work". In 2020, she co-authored "Take Your Space: Successful Women Share their Secrets," with all proceeds going to charities who support women. Jo's accolades include being a finalist in the New Zealand Women of Influence Awards, receiving a Westpac Leadership Fellowship, and winning Governance NZ's Women in Governance Community Award. She is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors.

Jo owns a small vineyard in Martinborough, and writes a regular wine column for Your Weekend magazine (Stuff) and Your Home and Garden. She is also studying for her WSET Diploma of Wine. You can follow her adventures in wine and viticulture at @winesauvy on Instagram. She also enjoys distilling her own gin.


Dr Jo Cribb, MC

Dr Denis Quinlan

Dr Denise Quinlan’s mission is to Make Work Better, preventing burnout, protecting wellbeing and enabling sustainable performance. Her research and workshops enable change, inspiring hope and sharing practical tools and insights. Recognised as one of the world’s leading resilience experts and a world-class facilitator, Denise’s immersive retreats and Diploma level training is most frequently described by participants as ‘life-changing’. As an award-winning guest lecturer at globally ranked IE Business School in Madrid, Denise has taught Strengths-based Leadership to senior executives from Fortune 500 and leading global organisations. Co-founder of the Institute of Wellbeing & Resilience, an Adjunct Senior Fellow at the University of Canterbury, Denise’s work is published in international academic journals and has won her international impact awards

You can follow Denise on social media at @drdenisequinlan

Dame Dr Farah Rangikoepa Palmer

Dinner Keynote Speaker, Dame Dr Farah Rangikoepa Palmer (Ngāti Maniapoto, Waikato). Former Black Fern Captain of 3 World Cup-winning teams, with leadership and governance roles in sport and academia.

Farah is a distinguished figure in New Zealand rugby, celebrated for her contributions both on and off the field. As a three-time Rugby World Cup-winning captain for the Black Ferns, she has made significant strides in rugby administration and academia. She holds leadership and governance roles in rugby, sport, and academia. Including being the first wāhine on the New Zealand Rugby Board and she is an advocate for Māori and women’s rights in sport and education.

Farah grew up on a Sheep and Cattle farm in the King Country, in Piopio, and enjoyed the rural life and all that taught her in terms of resilience, problem-solving, a can-do attitude, not being afraid of a bit of hard work, and rolling your sleeves up and doing your part!