Issue date
19 December 2023

Tēnā koutou katoa

As 2023 comes to an end, we recognise and reflect on the achievements and progress made for women and girls. 

This year was special, as it marked the 130th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote in Aotearoa New Zealand. We saw a number of events across the country to mark the occasion, including our own special evening with trailblazing wāhine.

The FIFA Women's World Cup was a major highlight for 2023. The tournament propelled women's sport into the spotlight, inspiring and backing the next generation of women athletes.  

During the campaign we launched the Manatū Wāhine Physical and Activity Fund, and it has been so rewarding to read stories about the impact this has had across the motu.

This year, we were proud to represent New Zealand on the international stage at forums dedicated to making progress for women. We attended the 67th session of the Commission on the Status of Women in March, and the APEC Women in the Economy Forum in August.  

In May, we released and co-launched a report on women in export trade, and in July we published New Zealand's ninth report on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. 

Great progress continued in the leadership space, with the latest Gender and Ethnic Stocktake of Public Sector Boards and Committees finding that women now hold 53.1 percent of appointed board positions – the highest figure to date! We also launched a new online tool, the Leadership Learning Hub, to support people find governance and leadership training opportunities. 

We extend a warm welcome to our new Minister for Women, Hon Nicola Grigg, who we look forward to working with to further improve outcomes for women and girls. 

Thank you to all the individuals and organisations working to support women and girls. I am proud to partner with so many of you to make a real difference and look forward to working together next year.

Meri Kirihimete!

Noho ora mai
Kellie Coombes
Te Tumu Whakarae mō te Wahine | Secretary for Women and Chief Executive