Starting 2025 off on a high note, Global Women is thrilled to celebrate the five incredible wāhine from our membership who have been recognised in the New Year Honours List 2025. Ka nui te mihi ki a koutou and our warmest congratulations to Kennie Tsui, Anne Fitisemanu, Shelley Katae, Kirsten Patterson and Tania Pouwhare! We are immeasurably proud to have you as part of our community.
Kennie Tsui
Currently serving as Chief Executive of New Zealand Geothermal Association, Kennie is a member of the Venture Taranaki Trust Board, an international member of the Geothermal Rising Board, Chair of the International Partnership of Geothermal Technologies, and the first Asian woman to hold the role of Vice President of Engineering New Zealand. Kennie has been appointed as a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to the environment, and to governance.
Anne Fitisemanu
An alumna of the Breakthrough Leaders Programme, our member Anne is the current Chief Executive of Make-A-Wish Foundation and Chair of the Pacific Cooperation Foundation Board. She additionally serves on the Boards of the National Deaf and Hard of Hearing Foundation, Plunket, and the Problem Gambling Foundation, and was the Chief Executive of TupuToa for seven years. Anne has been appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to business.
Shelley Katae
Chief Executive of Tāmaki Regeneration Company since 2021, Shelley has worked with TRC to drive regeneration and equity outcomes for the past twelve years. Shelley currently serves on the Boards of the National Hauora Coalition, the Major Capital Works Advisory Committee (Counties Manukau DHB), Taupō Moana Holdings (Ngāti Tūwharetoa), and AKTIVE. Shelley has been appointed as a Member for her services to Māori and Pacific communities.
Kirsten Patterson
Chief Executive for the Institute of Directors in New Zealand, Kirsten completed our Breakthrough Leaders Programme in 2014 and was an inaugural Champion for Change. Kirsten is Chair of the Global Network of Director Institutes, and serves on Boards of the Voices of Hope, the IPPF Oversight Council, XRAP, and the Brian Picot Chair in Ethical Leadership. Kirsten has been appointed as a Member for her services to governance, and to women.
Tania Pouwhare
Currently serving as Pou Kahukura at Mana Ātea and Pūkenga at Ngā Toko Wharururanga, Tania has worked in the NGO and public sectors globally. She is an Honorary Fellow with Engineering New Zealand, and a Senior Fellow with the Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity. Tania is the co-founder of Amotai – Aotearoa New Zealand’s supplier diversity intermediary. Tania has been appointed as a Member for her services to Māori and Pacific communities and to the environment.
Congratulations to our valued members, and to all the diverse leaders of Aotearoa New Zealand who made the New Years Honours List. Amongst those appointed is 27 year old Dame Lydia Ko, who is the youngest ever recipient of the DNZM. We are delighted to see wāhine leaders making waves as we move into the New Year. Whakamihi ki a koutou!
The full list of New Year Honours recipients for 2025 is available here.