As we excitedly prepare for this year’s members Hui, we’ve been thinking back to past Hui and the enriching experience of connecting in with our incredible network of some of Aotearoa’s finest wāhine leaders.
Last year, Global Women member Jenni Prisk connected in with three of our Hui 2024 attendees, to hear about their experience. We’ve collected their whakaaro to share with you below:
“The hui was a galvanizing experience. I felt re-energised knowing I belong to a community committed to making a difference.”– Sarah Baddeley
“As it was my first Hui experience, I felt very honoured to be embraced and warmly included amongst such an incredibly strong, powerful, influential and inclusive group of women,” shared Helen Osborne, Property Lead at Heritage New Zealand.
This sentiment was shared by Laura Cibilich, CEO and Founder of RUN – a Māori and wāhine-led advertising and creative agency.
“I went along as a reasonably new member not knowing what to expect, but with an open mind,” shared Laura. “Being surrounded by so many wāhine toa – strong women leaders – was really inspiring (although I’ve never felt much imposter syndrome!).”
Sarah Baddeley, Partner and Director at MartinJenkins and now a Global Women Board Member, shared that the Hui experience provided her with “an opportunity to pause and reflect and to connect with a much wider group of female leaders than I normally get the chance to.”
The Hui featured a range of thought leadership talks and workshops, stimulating conversation amongst the membership. Laura reflected that the experience was one of ‘constantly learning’, with a wide range of topics covered. She shared that hearing about historical challenges women faced in the workforce during the 1970s really stuck with her.
“I’m glad times have changed, but on the flipside there are still shocking statistics like the fact that in the US, women-of-colour receive just 0.006% of US venture capital dollars,” said Laura.
“I enjoy constantly learning, and the hui had a great mix of topics, from Te Tiriti o Waitangi to geothermal energy, and the economy to art! I came away with my cup full.” – Laura Cibilich
Last year’s hui was held at Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where our members were welcomed on in the very first wāhine-led pōwhiri at the Whare Rūnanga. Each of our members highlighted the significance of this moment, with Sarah reflecting it was the key experience she most shared with others after the fact, along with the idea that ‘you go from Waitangi, not come to Waitangi.’
Helen reflected that the wāhine-led pōwhiri held significance for her as a citizen of Aotearoa, and transformed the way she felt connected to the future of our nation.
“The speakers spoke with such deep belief and conviction,” said Helen. “It made me feel more strongly for the Ngāpuhi wāhine journey, towards their search for justice and recognition of the rights of their land and people.”
Laura shared that she arrived with a reasonable understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, but the opportunity to learn more about Te Tiriti and He Whakaputanga on location at Waitangi was really special.
“I felt incredibly privileged to have witnessed the first all wāhine-led pōwhiri at Waitangi, marking a momentous occasion where wāhine were the first speakers on the paepae,” said Laura. “Reflecting back, it encouraged me to deepen my understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and what it actually means.”
Leaving the Hui, Helen shared that she was reflecting on and formulating the shared pathway Global Women had laid down, and being more mindful and open on a daily basis. She felt committed to actively promoting and discussing what was learned at the Hui.
“The hui was an incredible event because it was so connected to our people, history, and the political landscape of Aotearoa. “ – Helen Osborne
“The Hui was a galvanizing experience,” shared Sarah. “I felt re-energised, knowing I am part of a community committed to making a difference.”
Laura expressed her gratitude to Global Women, her fellow attendees, and the wāhine of Ngāpuhi that welcomed our group in Waitangi.
“I came away with my cup full,” said Laura. “I’m hugely grateful to have been there and glad I made time for it.”