Join us for an inspiring midday gathering celebrating local leadership, connection, and kōrero.
We’re delighted to invite you to our upcoming Taranaki Women in Leadership event – an opportunity to come together in celebration of local leadership, meaningful connection, and inspiring kōrero.
MC’d by Donna Cooper, Global Women Regional Lead for Taranaki, this event will feature an engaging panel discussion with two outstanding wāhine leaders, who will share their journeys, insights, and reflections from their leadership experiences. Afterwards, stay for kai and networking with others committed to strengthening and advancing women’s leadership across the region.
Everyone is welcome – join us to connect, be inspired, and continue building momentum for women in leadership throughout Taranaki.
Our panelists:
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Petra Wetzel – Founder of WEST Brewery, Glasgow, Scotland
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Catherine Clennett – Chair and Co-founder, Hiringa Energy
The event begins at 12.15pm followed by refreshments and networking from 1.30pm.
A special thank you to our host and sponsor Powerco – whose support means this event is free for all to attend.
About your Panellists:
Petra Wetzel
Petra Wetzel is the founder of WEST Brewery in Glasgow, Scotland. Originally from Bavaria, she moved to Glasgow in 1994 to study at the University of Glasgow after first discovering Scotland during a school exchange in the 1980s.
The idea for WEST, a German-style brewery producing beer in accordance with the traditional German Purity Law, was inspired by a visit from her father while she was a student. Disappointed by the local beer offering at the time, she recognised an opportunity to bring authentic German brewing to Scotland.
Petra founded WEST in March 2006. Although trained as a lawyer with no prior experience in brewing, she built WEST into an award-winning company recognised for both the quality of its beer and its customer service.
In 2021, Petra transitioned from hands-on management to the role of Chair. In January 2026, after 27 years in Glasgow, she relocated to Auckland, New Zealand, where she is now exploring the country and new ideas for the future.
Catherine Clennett
Cathy brings more than 30 years of technical and commercial leadership across engineering, project management, technology commercialisation, business development, corporate development and investment. She has worked internationally in Asia, North America and Europe and is driven by a long‑standing commitment to innovation and decarbonisation.
As Chair, she provides governance across Hiringa’s businesses, and also leads the company’s corporate development and commercial activities. Her work includes securing investment and finance for both the organisation and its major projects—notably Hiringa’s nationwide hydrogen refuelling network, the GEGHA solar to green ammonia project in NSW, and the Kapuni wind to hydrogen project in South Taranaki.
This event is hosted by:
