Tēnā koutou katoa,  
  

It is a privilege to welcome you to the 2026 Women in Leadership Summit in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland.  

 

For more than a decade, this event has brought together courageous wāhine leaders, advocates, and changemakers committed to advancing women’s leadership across Aotearoa New Zealand. Our legacy is grounded in connection, collaboration, and meaningful progress. This year, we are called to build on that progress with greater intention. 

 

This year’s theme, Leading with Mana: Whakawhiti, Whakaurunga, Whakakotahi, speaks directly to the leadership moment we are in – one that calls us to navigate change, build inclusive systems, and lead with collective strength. 

 

Mana reflects authority, integrity, and dignity. It reminds us that leadership is not defined by title, but by how we uphold our values, honour Te Tiriti, steward opportunity, and create environments where others around you can thrive. In a climate shaped by economic pressure, technological disruption, and social change, leading with mana requires both courage and accountability. 

 

Across these two days, we will explore what it takes to build economic power and financial security for women, strengthen pathways for Māori and Pasifika talent, lead confidently through disruption, and embed genuine allyship into organisational systems. This is not about symbolic progress. It is about measurable change. 

  

Thank you for being part of this important kaupapa. Your presence here strengthens a growing community of leaders committed to shaping inclusive, high-trust, and future-ready workplaces across Aotearoa. 

 

Together, let us lead with mana, grounded in purpose and bold in action