Waikato Waahine Collective
A networking group for Waikato women was launched last week in Hamilton with several Waipā residents signing up.
Advisory committee: from left: Laura Flynn, Amy Coombes, Vivienne Hyde, Keryn Noorland, Rebecca Aston and Amy Marfell. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
More than 120 women attended the Waikato Waahine Collective launch at Weave in Innovation Park where North End Law’s Keryn Noorland, a member of the advisory committee, said the aim was to provide a dynamic network to empower and support women at all stages of their career.
“Our collective aims to foster a thriving community where women from diverse fields can connect, learn, and grow together,” she said.
“We are all passionate about making us a welcoming community for women working in all industries and at all stages of their careers.”
Waikato Chamber of Commerce leads the collective and Marketing and Events manager Rebecca Aston is on the committee.
Waikato had a women’s business network in the past but it “fizzled out,” she said.
“But we’re reinvigorating it today,” and adding a broader scope by empowering and supporting women at all stages of their career and across all professions in the region.
The aim was to become Waikato’s leading women’s network.
“Our mission is simple. It’s to create opportunities for women to connect, celebrate success and share their experiences through events like this.”
The first event will be in March with a panel discussion and International Women’s Day breakfast at Waikato University followed by a speaker series, which will become the collective’s annual signature event.
“Our plan for this is to create a day where women can connect with one another from all over the Waikato and hear from inspiring speakers,” said Aston.
Cambridge’s Kristi Paton of the ASB Bank with her colleague Freya Am-mon and HDS Ltd’s Keelee Hoskin at the Waikato Waahine Launch. Pho-to: Mary Anne Gill.
