Wednesday, 15th October 2025 - International Rural Women’s Day

@the networking Drinks at Gore Visitor Centre & the Old Hokonui Museum & Distillery 5pm - 6:30pm

Tori Moorby (nee Peters)

  • 🌟 Athletics Royalty Incoming! 🌟

    We’re thrilled to announce that Tori Moorby (née Peeters) – New Zealand’s javelin record-holder – will be joining us at the Inspiring Wahine Conference in Gore!

    Raised right here in Southland, Tori has soared on the world stage:
    🏅 Olympian – debuted at the Paris Games
    🥇 NZ Javelin Record Holder – 63.26m in Yokohama
    🏆 6th at the 2022 Commonwealth Games
    💎 Diamond League podium finishes
    🌍 13th at the 2023 World Champs – just one spot shy of the final!

    Now based in Cambridge and coached by javelin legend Kirsten Hellier, Tori brings passion, perseverance, and power to everything she does. We're so excited for her to share her journey and inspire the next generation of wahine toa. 💪✨

    #InspiringWahine #ToriMoorby #SouthlandPride #JavelinQueen #WahineToa #AthleticsNZ #InspirationInAction

Sandra Matthews

  • Sandra is a proud food producer with husband Ian on Te Kopae Station, a 536ha sheep and beef Hill Country property at Rere in Tairāwhiti.  Her family, farm and personal values are at the heart of everything she does.  Sandra has a financial and coaching background and runs her own consultancy business working with farmers to grow efficient and viable agri-businesses. 

    Sandra is National President of Rural Women New Zealand, Chair of Rural Communities Trust, and a former Trustee of Endometriosis New Zealand.  She is a life-long learner, and as a member of the Institute of Directors has completed the Certificates in Company Direction and Chairing the Board.  She is a graduate of the Agri-Women’s Development Trust Escalator programme, and previously worked as an AWDT programme facilitator and coach. 

      

    Sandra’s community involvement includes retired Chair of the Beef +Lamb NZ Eastern North Island Farmer Council, Co-founder of Farming Women Tairawhiti Incorporated, a Business Award winning charitable organisation, founding member of the Tairāwhiti Rural Advisory Group, Gisborne/Wairoa Federated Farmers Executive member and is involved in her local catchment group.   

      

    The commitment she has shown to rural communities of the East Coast region, and around New Zealand, was rewarded by winning the inaugural Beef + Lamb NZ Rural Champion Award in 2022.  She is also an AGMARDT Scholar. 

      Sandra continually advocates for and supports women, rural communities and primary producers to ensure a sustainable and viable future for generations to come. 

Deborah Lascelles

Thursday, 16th October Speakers, Workshop Hosts @ Croydon Lodge

Dr Jo Cribb

  • 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 on gender equality and drafting papers for the recent Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Jo previously served as the Chief Executive of the Ministry for Women, was the former Deputy Children's Commissioner and holds directorships on various Government and NGO boards, including the New Zealand Winegrowers, New Zealand Media Council, and Royal New Zealand Navy. She is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors and has won Governance NZ's Women in Governance Community Award.

    Her doctorate is in Public Policy, focusing on government-NGO contracting relationships and she 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". She is the co-author of "Take Your Space: Successful Women Share their Secrets," with all proceeds going to charities who support women. 

    Jo owns a small vineyard in Martinborough, and writes regular wine columns for Your Weekend magazine (Stuff), Life and Leisure, and Your Home and Garden. After too many wine exams, she now has the shining new WSET Diploma of Wine letters after her name. Follow her adventures in wine and viticulture at @winesauvy on Instagram.  She also enjoys distilling her own gin.

Jo Brand Waitaha, Kati Mamoe, Kāi Tahu, Te Arawa

  • Jo oversees the Education and Community Led Development portfolios at the Hokonui Rūnanga. Born in Hokonui and raised in the Catlins, Jo also spent several decades working all around NZ and overseas. Prior to returning to Murihiku, Jo worked within the FMCG industry and is a member of the founding team who brought Starbucks to NZ. Jo has also studied Psychology and Communication whilst enjoying representing Murihiku & Otakau in rugby.  Jo is the Chair of the Hokonui Community led Health project, and a member of several governance boards including Whakatipu Community Hub, Inspiring Communities NZ, Gore Kids Hub, Menzies College and Te Tapu o Tane

Dr Denise Quinlan

  • Dr Denise Quinlan is a director of the Institute of Wellbeing and Resilience, currently lectures at the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, has been an award-winning lecturer at a leading European business school, and has worked with senior business leaders from around the world. 

    As well as sharing the skills and strategies of resilience and wellbeing, Denise, as a recovering pessimist, uses these skills on a daily basis to keep her own head above water. 

    Denise works closely with people to help them build wellbeing and transform their lives through workshops and retreats. She is a staunch advocate for future-focused leadership and practices that support humanly sustainable work and life.

    You can follow Denise’s work @drdenisequinlan on LinkedIn and Instagram

  • 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.

Dr Helen Paterson

  • Helen started daydreaming about a Woman’s Health Bus in 2015, and is a co-director. 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.

Pauline Smith MNZM

  • Award-winning author | Southlander of the Year 2021

    Of Sāmoan, Tuvaluan, Scottish and Irish heritage, Pauline is a proud Southlander with a deep passion for sharing the voices and histories of Aotearoa. 

    As an author, she is best known for her powerful book My New Zealand Story: Dawn Raid, which has become a touchstone for young readers learning about this vital moment in our history. Her contribution as a Polynesian Panther was instrumental in the movement that led to the Government’s formal apology for the Dawn Raids, a moment of truth, healing, and recognition for Pacifica communities.

    Pauline also played a pivotal role in the development of the highly successful Murihiku Polyfest. She feels a great source of fulfillment and satisfaction in creating a vibrant, highly successful celebration of cultural identity that continues to thrive and champion Pacific pride and youth expression in Murihiku. 

    Pauline was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to art and the Pacific community. Yet despite her achievements, she remains grounded in the simple joys of life – knitting, cooking yummy food and playing online Scrabble with her mum. Above all Pauline is a devoted mother of two and a chuffed grandmother of five who enjoys spending time by the fire in the beautiful seaside town of Aparima with her hubby Geoff. 

  • TW1) The Story Within - Learning to Tell the Story Only You Can Share

    With Award-Winning Author Pauline Smith

    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.

Andrea Greer

  • Andrea is the founder of Nurturing Relationships, a specialised practice focusing on play therapy, consulting, and training. Originally from Singapore, Andrea has lived in Southland for the past 18 years. 


    As a busy mum, business owner and actively engaged in community boards, Andrea understands the pressures that come with feeling overloaded. Her personal experiences with burnout and anxiety have led her to reconnect with her body and nervous system and provided her with unique insights that she now shares with others.

    Andrea holds a Master’s degree in Social Welfare with distinction, endorsed in Mental Health Practice from the University of Otago. She is also the recipient of the Certificate of Excellence under the research category at the ANZASW Quality and Innovation Awards in 2017 and the winner of the ANZASW national award for Innovative Practice in 2023. She is also a Certified Synergetic Play Therapist and EMDR Trauma therapist. She is passionate about supporting individuals to heal in body, mind & spirit so they can thrive. 

    Cellphone: 0212307182

    MSW (endorsed in Mental Health Practice)

    MANZASW, Registered Social Worker 

    Certified Synergetic Play Therapist

    EMDR Trained

  • TW2: "Shifting from surviving to thriving: Supporting our hauora from a nervous system lens”

    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

Angela Evans

  • Tired? Flat? Out of sorts? Could your gut be the missing link?  Strategies to nourish your body from the inside out.

    Or looking at other workshop programme info that day maybe -

    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.

Zoe Wallis

  • “Wealth & Wellbeing: Empowering Women to Shape Their Financial Futures”

    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.

Ana TeoFilo

  • Ana Teofilo is a New Zealand-born Samoan artist who merges her Samoan heritage with western influence to create dynamic and contemporary Pasifika artworks. Teofilo’s distinctive Polynesian motifs are rendered by the artist carving directly into shaped boards, working to small, mid, and large-scale in circular, square, and frangipani-like forms. She then adorns her carved surfaces with opaque glue dots that offer a reflective quality, echoing the surrounding colours, and emphasising a sense of interplay between sculptural form and intricate detail.

    Teofilo was the recipient of the Con Hutton Scholarship in 2015, contributing to the completion of her Masters in Visual Arts from the Dunedin School of Art at Otago Polytechnic. She showed at the Auckland Art Fair 2018, and was the 2022 winner of the Edinburgh Premier Art Award. Teofilo’s works are held in private collections, internationally and within New Zealand.

  • 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.  

Gill Naylor

  • Gill is Southland born and bred and farmed with her husband, Dave, for many years in Becks, Central Otago. They are now based on the outskirts of Alexandra. Gill was actively involved in her local community while they farmed and raised a family at Becks, and has been a member of Rural Women New Zealand for the vast majority of that time, often holding office from local level through to putting herself forward for election at a national level. Gill’s four-year tenure as National President of RWNZ ended in November last year. She is now enjoying being part of the RWNZ Lower South Island Regional team, as well as involvement in the organising committee for this year’s Inspiring Wahine Conference.

    Gill has also served as a Trustee and Vice-Chair of Life Education Trust Heartland Otago Southland, and in 2012 was appointed Chair of the Central Otago District Council Representation Review Panel for that year’s Review.

    Gill truly values the opportunities that are a part of living in a small rural community and has enjoyed contributing to the groups that are so necessary to keep those rural facilities and services functioning.

    Being offered a place on a Central Lakes Trust sponsored leadership course much earlier in her leadership journey was the catalyst for Gill to have the confidence to put herself forward for higher level roles.

  • Leadership and Goverance Panellist

Emma Crutchley

  • Emma is a farm business owner and a mother of two based in Central Otago’s Maniototo Plain. Together with her husband Kyle, she runs Puketoi — a 2,900-hectare sheep, beef, and arable property integrating breeding, finishing, and a diverse range of crops.

    Emma is a Kellogg Rural Leadership Scholar and an Agri-Women’s Development Trust Escalator alumna. She currently serves as a director of Irrigation New Zealand and is the Institute of Directors’ Future Director on the board of Scales Corporation. She is also appointed to two national advisory groups, the AgriZeroNZ Farmer Focus group and the Ag Emissions Centre End-User Advisory Group, as well as member of the National Lamb Day Celebration Committee.

    Emma brings a strategic lens to navigating complexity across food, fibre, and land use. As a farmer she is a regular contributor to policy discussions across regional councils, government organisations and within the primary sector. She is respected for her clear thinking and constructive mindset in complex conversations.

    Outside of work, Emma enjoys adventures with family and friends — fishing off the Otago coast, boating, and cycling — as well as quiet moments with a cuppa and a good book.

  • Leadership and Goverance

Cheyenne Willson - Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Awa

  • Cheyenne Wilson (Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Awa) is the Founder and Managing Director of Te Kaharangi Hono, a specialist Māori Agribusiness and whenua Māori consulting firm.

    Cheyenne grew up in rural Southland and has a deep technical knowledge of farm systems. She is a trustee for the charity Meat the Need, a governance group member for Our Land and Water National Science Challenge and a Trustee for Lean on a Gate. Cheyenne was recently chair of He Tātai Rangahua, the Food and Fibre Youth Council.

    A finalist in the Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer of the Year in 2018, she is a role model for youth in the sector. Cheyenne shares her journey to encourage and support rangatahi to pursue career opportunities in the food and fibre industry. She is committed to building the capability of tangata whenua.

    She is an advocate for Farmstrong and mental well-being within the rural sector.

    Cheyenne recently graduated from Lincoln University with a Bachelor of Environment and Society.

  • Leadership and Governance

Hon Nicola Grigg

  • Hon Nicola Grigg

    Nicola Grigg is the Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Associate Minister of Agriculture (Horticulture) and Associate Minister for ACC. Nicola has been the MP for Selwyn since 2020.

    Nicola was born and raised on the family sheep and beef farm in Mt Somers, and studied at the New Zealand Broadcasting School, graduating with a Degree in Broadcast Communications and Diplomas in Television and Radio News.

    Nicola has worked as a reporter and newsreader and was a press secretary for Sir Bill English during his tenure as Minister of Finance, and Prime Minister. Following that, Nicola worked with a wide range of agri-businesses in export marketing and business development.

Thursday, 16th October 2025 Dinner Speakers & Entertainers @Croydon Lodge

Millie Cottam

  • We’re excited to have 17-year-old Millie Cottam performing at the Inspiring Wāhine Conference dinner. Millie loves to sing and perform country music. She recently won the South Waikato Country Music Awards and is a finalist for the NZCMA Entertainer of the Year.

    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.

    Come along for dinner and enjoy Millie’s brilliant country tunes.

Jo Brand Waitaha, Kati Mamoe, Kāi Tahu, Te Arawa

  • Jo oversees the Education and Community Led Development portfolios at the Hokonui Rūnanga. Born in Hokonui and raised in the Catlins, Jo also spent several decades working all around NZ and overseas. Prior to returning to Murihiku, Jo worked within the FMCG industry and is a member of the founding team who brought Starbucks to NZ. Jo has also studied Psychology and Communication whilst enjoying representing Murihiku & Otakau in rugby.  Jo is the Chair of the Hokonui Community led Health project, and a member of several governance boards including Whakatipu Community Hub, Inspiring Communities NZ, Gore Kids Hub, Menzies College and Te Tapu o Tane

Dr Jo Cribb

  • 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 on gender equality and drafting papers for the recent Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Jo previously served as the Chief Executive of the Ministry for Women, was the former Deputy Children's Commissioner and holds directorships on various Government and NGO boards, including the New Zealand Winegrowers, New Zealand Media Council, and Royal New Zealand Navy. She is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors and has won Governance NZ's Women in Governance Community Award.

    Her doctorate is in Public Policy, focusing on government-NGO contracting relationships and she 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". She is the co-author of "Take Your Space: Successful Women Share their Secrets," with all proceeds going to charities who support women. 

    Jo owns a small vineyard in Martinborough, and writes regular wine columns for Your Weekend magazine (Stuff), Life and Leisure, and Your Home and Garden. After too many wine exams, she now has the shining new WSET Diploma of Wine letters after her name. Follow her adventures in wine and viticulture at @winesauvy on Instagram.  She also enjoys distilling her own gin.

Kristie Simpson

  • In a career that has taken her to the peaks of the game, Southland’s Kristie Simpson has set a significant personal milestone in becoming New Zealand’s most capped national league umpire.

  • Kristie Simpson is actively involved in the Southland community, particularly through hosting and participating in local wellbeing, social, and rural support events. She has been featured as a guest at the Greater Dipton Catchment Group’s community social and wellbeing evenings and BBQs, including a notable event in November 2023 that brought residents together for connection and support.

    Her farm near Tokanui regularly serves as a venue for community gatherings and educational sessions, such as biodiversity-focused meetings for local farmers and environmental initiatives. Simpson supports catchment groups that work on environmental health, climate change, and rural mental health, helping foster local networks in Southland’s farming districts.

    She is recognized as a leader and mentor, encouraging community involvement, supporting mental health causes, and nurturing connections between rural residents. Through these activities, Kristie Simpson strengthens Southland’s rural and netball communities by promoting wellbeing, environmental stewardship, and community spirit.

Friday, 17th October 2025 Speakers & Workshop Hosts @ Croydon Lodge

Nadia Lim

  • Nadia Lim is a celebrity chef, entrepreneur, bestselling author, media and television personality, farmer and is mum to three boys!

  • Influenced by her background as a clinical dietitian, Nadia is a strong advocate for creating healthy and nutritious recipes using unprocessed and natural ingredients. As a Co-Founder of My Food Bag, Nadia has helped solve the “what’s for dinner?” dilemma for thousands of kiwi families every night.

    In 2022, Nadia was on our screens in the role of head judge on the hit series Masterchef NZ, going full circle to where it all began for Nadia, after winning the MasterChef NZ title in 2011 and leading to the creation of her first of many cookbooks, Nadia’s Kitchen.

    These days, Nadia and her husband, Carlos, run the historic Royalburn Station in Arrowtown. Their vision is to lead the way in regenerative and ethical farming by creating more sustainable and circular solutions to help the land, animals and food sources thrive. In 2022, the top rated TV show, Nadia's Farm was released, showing Nadia and Carlos' work at Royalburn and how they are achieving their dream of becoming one of the best farms in the South.

Pauline Smith MNZM

  • Award-winning author | Southlander of the Year 2021

    Of Sāmoan, Tuvaluan, Scottish and Irish heritage, Pauline is a proud Southlander with a deep passion for sharing the voices and histories of Aotearoa. 

    As an author, she is best known for her powerful book My New Zealand Story: Dawn Raid, which has become a touchstone for young readers learning about this vital moment in our history. Her contribution as a Polynesian Panther was instrumental in the movement that led to the Government’s formal apology for the Dawn Raids, a moment of truth, healing, and recognition for Pacifica communities.

    Pauline also played a pivotal role in the development of the highly successful Murihiku Polyfest. She feels a great source of fulfillment and satisfaction in creating a vibrant, highly successful celebration of cultural identity that continues to thrive and champion Pacific pride and youth expression in Murihiku. 

    Pauline was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to art and the Pacific community. Yet despite her achievements, she remains grounded in the simple joys of life – knitting, cooking yummy food and playing online Scrabble with her mum. Above all Pauline is a devoted mother of two and a chuffed grandmother of five who enjoys spending time by the fire in the beautiful seaside town of Aparima with her hubby Geoff. 

  • TW1) The Story Within - Learning to Tell the Story Only You Can Share

    With Award-Winning Author Pauline Smith

    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.

Jo Brand Waitaha, Kati Mamoe, Kāi Tahu, Te Arawa

  • Jo oversees the Education and Community Led Development portfolios at the Hokonui Rūnanga. Born in Hokonui and raised in the Catlins, Jo also spent several decades working all around NZ and overseas. Prior to returning to Murihiku, Jo worked within the FMCG industry and is a member of the founding team who brought Starbucks to NZ. Jo has also studied Psychology and Communication whilst enjoying representing Murihiku & Otakau in rugby.  Jo is the Chair of the Hokonui Community led Health project, and a member of several governance boards including Whakatipu Community Hub, Inspiring Communities NZ, Gore Kids Hub, Menzies College and Te Tapu o Tane

Amy Scott

  • Unlock Better Communication with Amy Scott.

    Join 25,000+ individuals in New Zealand who have empowered their teams, strengthened relationships, and improved workplace culture with the proven Dots Communication method by Amy Scott.

  • Amy Scott - Better Communication - Better Connection - Better Communities

     

    Amy is a dynamic communication specialist driven by her passion for people and fostering strong, connected teams. A former lawyer, her mantra, “less friction, more fun,” underpins everything she does.

     

    Hailing from Central Otago, New Zealand, Amy’s diverse journey includes representing New Zealand in ice hockey, working in wool sheds, and sharpening her strategic thinking during her legal career.

     

    Her career transformed with the discovery of the "Dots Communication" tool—a groundbreaking Kiwi innovation that has empowered over 40,000 individuals across New Zealand and Australia to communicate, collaborate and connect more effectively.

     

    Known as the "Dots Lady," Amy’s vibrant energy and down to earth approach make her work widely valued. Her community shows blend entertainment with personal growth and often support local causes, providing practical tools to enhance communication and build stronger connections.

    In her engaging keynotes, Amy delivers practical strategies to help audiences unlock their potential through effective communication. Expect to leave inspired, empowered, and ready to create authentic connections in all areas of your life.

Serena Lyders - Ngāti Pōrou

  • Wellbeing Through a Cultural Lens – Unpacking Te Whare Tapa Whā
    Facilitator: Serena Lyders – Founder of Whānau Consultancy Services

    Explore what wellbeing truly looks like in action — for yourself, your whānau, and future generations — through the lens of Te Whare Tapa Whā, a Māori model of health developed by Professor Sir Mason Durie. This powerful workshop is led by Serena Lyders (Ngāti Pōrou), founder of Whānau Consultancy Services in Murihiku/Southland, and a passionate advocate for holistic wellness grounded in kaupapa Māori.

    With more than 16 years in social work, experience as a bilingual teacher, and deep personal ties to the rural shearing industry, Serena brings lived insight and heartfelt knowledge to her mahi. She’s a fifth-generation wool handler, a mother of six, and a grandmother to six mokopuna — and she knows first-hand the importance of building strong foundations of hauora in challenging environments.

    In this workshop, you'll unpack the four pillars of Te Whare Tapa Whā — taha tinana (physical), taha wairua (spiritual), taha whānau (family), and taha hinengaro (mental and emotional) — and explore how they show up in everyday life. Serena will guide you through practical ways to assess your own wellbeing, strengthen your personal whare, and support your tamariki to grow their own strong, resilient pillars.

    Whether you're looking to deepen your cultural understanding, support your whānau, or simply take time to reflect on your own wellbeing, Serena’s warm and grounded approach offers something for everyone.

    Recent Honours:

    ·       🏆 2022 Winner – NZI Rural Women NZ Business Awards: Rural Champion

    ·       🏆 2023 Winner – KUMA Māori Business Awards: He Pito Mata – Emerging Business Leadership

    ·       🏅 2023 Finalist – Findex Southland Business Excellence Awards: Rural Sector Excellence

    Come with curiosity — leave with insight, inspiration, and real tools for life.

Jenny Denley

  • At AWS Legal, we not only understand the letter of the law, but we also understand the land. Our Rural Law specialists bring to the table over 130 years of collective experience in Southland and Otago, setting the gold standard for legal services in the agribusiness sector. Toni Green (Partner), Jenny Denley (Partner) and Allanah Robb (Senior Associate) specialists in our rural team, are well-versed in the unique challenges faced by the agricultural community. From dairy and sheep farming to orchards and vineyards, our expertise spans a wide variety of rural and agribusiness law needs. Our offices are conveniently located across the region, ensuring you don’t have to journey far to secure quality legal counsel. Even better, our dedicated team is more than willing to meet clients at their location, offering personalised support where it matters most. In every legal matter, our team aims to serve as our clients trusted partner, securing the future of your agribusiness ventures. Our comprehensive services are tailored to our clients’ needs and cover a broad spectrum of rural law, including:

    • Farm succession planning and agricultural business restructuring

    • Rural lending and equity partnerships

    • Dairy company shareholding arrangements

    • Sales, purchases, and leasing of livestock

    • Grazing agreements and compliance with local government mandates

    • Contract milking agreements and sharemilking logistics

    • Rural business structuring and purchase or lease of rural properties

  • Rural Women Succession Planning Presentation – Agribusiness

     

    Farm succession can be a complex topic, our team will be aiming to provide practical, family-centred advice and information through our presentation focusing on:

    • Practical considerations – starting the conversation early, managing expectations of family members, working through business considerations, looking at whether there is a stable and profitable business, considering  whether there is a suitable, willing successor or successors to take over the farm, working through strategies for healthy family communication, resolving disputes, maintaining relationships

    • Highlighting main options for succession planning – inter-generational farming and transfers – including inter party lending to assist with acquisitions and estate planning considerations such as forgiveness of debt as part of estate planning, board/ corporate structure, farm transfer (transitional farming), considerations of the bigger picture for your family

    • Addressing common issues – importance of planning, obtaining valuations, consideration for on-farm family and off-farm siblings, relationship property considerations, estate planning, recognising the role of women in succession, including valuing women’s contributions on farm and encouraging women to take leadership roles in succession planning

    • Practical steps for progressing – tips for starting the conversation early on, ensuring the family have the right team around them for success including legal and financial planning, clear communication, formulating a plan and implementation

    Q&A – opportunity to ask questions

Tony Green

  • At AWS Legal, we not only understand the letter of the law, but we also understand the land. Our Rural Law specialists bring to the table over 130 years of collective experience in Southland and Otago, setting the gold standard for legal services in the agribusiness sector. Toni Green (Partner), Jenny Denley (Partner) and Allanah Robb (Senior Associate) specialists in our rural team, are well-versed in the unique challenges faced by the agricultural community. From dairy and sheep farming to orchards and vineyards, our expertise spans a wide variety of rural and agribusiness law needs. Our offices are conveniently located across the region, ensuring you don’t have to journey far to secure quality legal counsel. Even better, our dedicated team is more than willing to meet clients at their location, offering personalised support where it matters most. In every legal matter, our team aims to serve as our clients trusted partner, securing the future of your agribusiness ventures. Our comprehensive services are tailored to our clients’ needs and cover a broad spectrum of rural law, including:

    • Farm succession planning and agricultural business restructuring

    • Rural lending and equity partnerships

    • Dairy company shareholding arrangements

    • Sales, purchases, and leasing of livestock

    • Grazing agreements and compliance with local government mandates

    • Contract milking agreements and sharemilking logistics

    • Rural business structuring and purchase or lease of rural properties

  • Rural Women Succession Planning Presentation – Agribusiness

     

    Farm succession can be a complex topic, our team will be aiming to provide practical, family-centred advice and information through our presentation focusing on:

    • Practical considerations – starting the conversation early, managing expectations of family members, working through business considerations, looking at whether there is a stable and profitable business, considering  whether there is a suitable, willing successor or successors to take over the farm, working through strategies for healthy family communication, resolving disputes, maintaining relationships

    • Highlighting main options for succession planning – inter-generational farming and transfers – including inter party lending to assist with acquisitions and estate planning considerations such as forgiveness of debt as part of estate planning, board/ corporate structure, farm transfer (transitional farming), considerations of the bigger picture for your family

    • Addressing common issues – importance of planning, obtaining valuations, consideration for on-farm family and off-farm siblings, relationship property considerations, estate planning, recognising the role of women in succession, including valuing women’s contributions on farm and encouraging women to take leadership roles in succession planning

    • Practical steps for progressing – tips for starting the conversation early on, ensuring the family have the right team around them for success including legal and financial planning, clear communication, formulating a plan and implementation

    Q&A – opportunity to ask questions

Allanah Robb

  • At AWS Legal, we not only understand the letter of the law, but we also understand the land. Our Rural Law specialists bring to the table over 130 years of collective experience in Southland and Otago, setting the gold standard for legal services in the agribusiness sector. Toni Green (Partner), Jenny Denley (Partner) and Allanah Robb (Senior Associate) specialists in our rural team, are well-versed in the unique challenges faced by the agricultural community. From dairy and sheep farming to orchards and vineyards, our expertise spans a wide variety of rural and agribusiness law needs. Our offices are conveniently located across the region, ensuring you don’t have to journey far to secure quality legal counsel. Even better, our dedicated team is more than willing to meet clients at their location, offering personalised support where it matters most. In every legal matter, our team aims to serve as our clients trusted partner, securing the future of your agribusiness ventures. Our comprehensive services are tailored to our clients’ needs and cover a broad spectrum of rural law, including:

    • Farm succession planning and agricultural business restructuring

    • Rural lending and equity partnerships

    • Dairy company shareholding arrangements

    • Sales, purchases, and leasing of livestock

    • Grazing agreements and compliance with local government mandates

    • Contract milking agreements and sharemilking logistics

    • Rural business structuring and purchase or lease of rural properties

  • Rural Women Succession Planning Presentation – Agribusiness

     

    Farm succession can be a complex topic, our team will be aiming to provide practical, family-centred advice and information through our presentation focusing on:

    • Practical considerations – starting the conversation early, managing expectations of family members, working through business considerations, looking at whether there is a stable and profitable business, considering  whether there is a suitable, willing successor or successors to take over the farm, working through strategies for healthy family communication, resolving disputes, maintaining relationships

    • Highlighting main options for succession planning – inter-generational farming and transfers – including inter party lending to assist with acquisitions and estate planning considerations such as forgiveness of debt as part of estate planning, board/ corporate structure, farm transfer (transitional farming), considerations of the bigger picture for your family

    • Addressing common issues – importance of planning, obtaining valuations, consideration for on-farm family and off-farm siblings, relationship property considerations, estate planning, recognising the role of women in succession, including valuing women’s contributions on farm and encouraging women to take leadership roles in succession planning

    • Practical steps for progressing – tips for starting the conversation early on, ensuring the family have the right team around them for success including legal and financial planning, clear communication, formulating a plan and implementation

    Q&A – opportunity to ask questions

Julia Jones

  • Julia is all about looking ahead and helping others feel confident in times of change. She’s passionate about making sense of global trends and turning them into useful insights for the food and fibre sector — from changing consumer markets to the rise of sustainable finance.

    She’s had an impressive career, but it’s the tough moments she credits with teaching her the most. Julia brings real-life experience, practical thinking and big-picture vision — all wrapped in a good dose of energy and heart.

    Some highlights from her journey:
    ✨ Chair of Meat the Need, a charity tackling food insecurity
    ✨ Stanford University Emerging Leader Scholarship recipient
    ✨ Took part in the Harvard Agri Seminar in China
    ✨ Explored agribusiness in Russia
    ✨ Graduated from the AWDT Escalator Governance Programme

Chami Abeyshinge

Haylee-Chanel “Hayz” Simeon 

  • Haylee-Chanel “Hayz” Simeon 

     

    Founder of Hayz At The Anchorage Restaurant & Bar | Award-Winning Restaurateur | Community Advocate

     

    Born and bred in Bluff, Haylee-Chanel “Hayz” Simeon is a proud Ngāi Tahu and Ngāti Kauwhata wāhine, a solo mum of four, and a force in New Zealand’s culinary landscape. Founder of the celebrated Hayz At The Anchorage Restaurant & Bar, she has become renowned for her sea-to-plate ethos and creative storytelling through kai. By championing Southland’s kaimoana and local produce, Haylee has put Bluff and Murihiku firmly on the global culinary map.

     

     

    Her leadership has been recognised across Aotearoa and beyond: Rural Women NZ Bountiful Table Award 2023, Cuisine Magazine’s Top 50 Women in Food & Drink 2024, the Cuisine Good Food Guide 2024/25, finalist in the MWDI Māori Businesswomen’s Awards 2025, and most recently, a multi-category finalist in the 2025 Southland Business Excellence Awards. Her story has reached audiences worldwide through features in Kia Ora Magazine, ELLE Gourmet Canada, The Financial Review Australia, and Croatia’s Iće&Piće — shining a light on Bluff and Murihiku on the global stage.

     

     

    Haylee’s journey is grounded in manaakitanga, paying homage to her Bluff community and the legacy of her tūpuna, proving that no matter how small the place or business, communities can achieve extraordinary things when they work together.