Hello dear Listeners,
It has been a long time since iVOW connected with you. We hope you fared well during the pandemic and are safe and healthy.
Jenni spent two+ years in New Zealand due to COVID, and during that time had the opportunity to interview women who are leaders in NZ. So, this time, the articles posted are not for your listening pleasure, but for your reading pleasure. We hope they provide you with insights into a different world for women.
We do plan to continue with our podcasts. If you have an idea for an inspiring interviewee, please let us know, we will be grateful.
With warmest regards
Jenni and Zack
All stories, images and quotes have been republished, with permission, from Global Women, a non-profit membership organization that has been driving diversity in leadership in Aotearoa New Zealand for more than ten years.
Dr. Audrey Aumua is passionate about her new role as the first Pacific woman CEO of the Fred Hollows Foundation NZ. She was appointed in 2021, the same year that she joined Global Women. She keenly anticipates combining her love of the strategic process service to the Pacific region and supporting women on their journeys to success in both organizations.
Audrey was born in New Zealand and has returned to our shores after a celebrated 17-year career in the Pacific region with her last role with SPC where she developed and embedded strategies to support technical and public health outcomes, including women’s’ health and development. “Breast cancer and especially cervical cancer are the biggest causes of mortality in the region for women. There is limited opportunity often for routine screening and treatment which was heightened during the onset of COVID due to health systems shifting many of their resources to COVID response. In addition, COVID has exacerbated mental health issues and loss of income.”
Audrey continues: “I’m a brown girl (of Fijian descent) and I’ve always looked to large networks as sources of support. Global Women is ideal for me because I’m drawn to women with international experience in an inter-generational mix. I was fortunate that Dr. Marilyn Waring was one of my first mentors – she guided me through my first master’s degree in Public Policy – which led to my public policy career and tenure with WHO and ultimately serving as Country Representative for the Solomon Islands. I want to provide wisdom and support for other women.”
Dr. Aumua envisages a new normal in the year ahead. “What we have learnt during COVID we mustn’t lose. The caring for and safety of others has made us recognize the humanness and vulnerability of others. We must continue to support our Pacific neighbours. Women especially must have good restoration of sight as economies are building back, because women play such critical roles in community livelihoods for their nations. Eye care is believed to provide the largest return on investment of any health intervention. The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ will continue to build on its 20 years of eye health support in the region with the generous funding of the everyday New Zealander.”
We are delighted to welcome Dr. Audrey Aumua to our membership! Click here to read more on some of Audrey’s works.
On 8 February 2022, Auckland International Airport welcomed a new Chief Executive.
Carrie Hurihanganui will be the first female to lead the company in its 55-year history. Vibrant and enthusiastic about her new role, Carrie is looking forward to putting her stamp on New Zealand’s key gateway. “People are drawn to connecting and it’s our responsibility during COVID to provide a seamless journey while keeping everyone safe. Auckland airport was the first airport in NZ to achieve the Airports Council International’s Health Accreditation and be designated a Quarantine-free Travel Airport through proactively meeting the key health requirements.”
Carrie hails from Chicago. 32 years ago, she came to New Zealand on a vacation where she met her husband, Steve. In 1999, Carrie became a flight attendant with Air New Zealand, where she rose through the ranks to become Chief Operating Officer. “Air New Zealand was a great training ground for my new role. They do a good job of investing in leaders while keeping customers as their prime focus.”
Carrie joined Global Women in 2019. She was drawn to our organization by the opportunity to influence, and to learn from the network of incredibly talented women. “We need to break down the silos and systems that hold women back. Our numbers are disproportionate; 30% on boards, 25% in senior leadership. It’s important that young women have role models to inspire them to fill principal roles.”
What does Carrie aspire to for Auckland International Airport? “The organization’s 30-year master plan will play a role in New Zealand’s recovery in trade and tourism. There needs to be economic and aviation revitalization. Fortunately, the airport has an incredibly passionate and capable team. However, COVID has forced us all to adapt and flex to the new environment; business continuity is challenged, HR systems are not designed for contraction, digital technology must lead the way. And we’ve all been impacted personally. How do we find the balance?”
Watch this space! Carrie Hurihanganui’ s professional drive and determination will renew and change the gateway to Aotearoa New Zealand.
Dr. Hinemoa Elder, MNZM, is a thoughtful, intelligent trailblazer in diverse arenas who views the world and particularly Aotearoa NZ, through a perceptive lens, especially during COVID. “Even within whānau, parents’ experiences are different from their rangatahi, and their kaumātua. Economics, women and children’s issues, health inequalities, and stress have all been heightened in this pandemic. In our Global Women membership, there are a great many high achieving women who expect to get on with things; we have been through hardships and we feel resilient. However, research is showing that resilient people can crash with changes that feel out of control. I urge you to really look after your own health and wellbeing.”
Hinemoa is a child and adolescent psychiatrist, specialising in youth forensic and neuropsychiatry of traumatic brain injury as well as being the former Māori strategic leader for Brain Research New Zealand. Her whakapapa is Te Aupōuri, Ngāti Kurī, Te Rarawa and Ngāpuhi. She is deeply committed to te ao Māori. “We need time and resources to reclaim our language because we delve into intergenerational grief, and a lot of issues around that. There remain a range of perspectives and experiences for tangata whenua, and key areas that continue to keep Māori in an inequitable status. As members of Global Women we can explore the meaning of support. I would love to see GW take an increasing lead on the mixed processes that delay Māori getting access to meeting our needs.”
Hinemoa has a new book being published in October 2022. It’s a companion to her beautiful publication of whakataukī and whakatauākī, Aroha, that serves to remind us all of our connection to the planet, and to the past. “Aroha reflects on ancient and contemporary wisdom through the eyes of our people, and their observations of the natural world. And, there’s a caution here; a boot up the backside for our role as guardians! I would love to contribute to Global Women’s conversations in this arena, as we have a unique position in New Zealand where we can lead and influence.”
In closing, a whakataukī for us all: “Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini” My success is not mine alone, it is the success of the collective.”
Russell McVeagh
Mei-Fern Johnson is a highly respected, award-winning Corporate Advisory Partner at the law firm Russell McVeagh based in Wellington, yet she is down to earth and practical when it comes to her clients and their needs. “The best professional relationships are built when people are in the trenches together, as we have been during COVID. I used to call my clients, now I continue to meet them on zoom so I can see them.”
Born and raised in Malaysia, Mei-Fern completed her 7th form schooling in Auckland then went on to complete her Bachelor of Law (Honors) and Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Auckland. She and her husband (who is a stay-at-home dad) are raising three teenagers who are close in age. “I was in maternity clothes for five years!” she laughs.
Yet it was a salute to motherhood that has kept her at Russell McVeagh since 2004. “I nearly missed out on maternity pay because I had my children so close together. however, one of the senior male partners resolved the issue, which resulted in a permanent parental leave policy change at the firm. This proved to me that males can be supportive champions of change.”
One of Mei-Fern’s professional specialties is Mergers & Acquisitions. How challenging did this arena become during COVID? “In March to May 2020, we negotiated two very large transactions. The advisors and parties were based in New Zealand and Australia, all in lockdown. We zoomed daily, didn’t lose momentum, and closed things out in a short timeframe. And it saved a lot of travel! COVID has led us to really understand the rearranging of care for kids and elderly parents that many of our team members face because we faced them too. Productivity has become less important than looking after the mental health of our people – they are our greatest assets; we have to act accordingly.”
In 2014, Mei-Fern joined Global Women because “the organization has the mana and the people to make a difference. She is particularly encouraged to see new members who are joining from the public sector – they are formulating and implementing policies and macro issues that impact the entire country, making a difference at scale. Also, over time, impatient for change, I have become highly supportive of targets and quotas.”
Our conversation turned to New Zealand’s future. “Our infrastructure is failing, and we need capital investment to build for the future. Foreign investments are therefore absolutely essential. However, I feel very optimistic. We have strong female leadership emerging everywhere – Jo Cribb and Jane Wrightson are two examples who are leveraging their personal reputation to achieve new grounds for us. And women are becoming increasingly vocal influencers. Let’s all do this for our daughters!”
IAG New Zealand
Amanda Whiting’s life has changed considerably since she was a farmer’s daughter in Western Australia to her current role as CEO of IAG New Zealand, where she started her career in 2008. While Amanda still has strong ties to Australia (both of her adult children live there) she takes advantage of every opportunity that New Zealand offers. During COVID separations, her attitude remained positive, a key factor to her professional success today.
One of the reasons Amanda loves her role as the head of IAG New Zealand is due to the collaborations it forges. “IAG has always believed that companies are ‘better together’ with their supplier network and distribution partners who help them sell and service and therefore add to IAG’s knowledge base.
“As New Zealand’s largest general insurer, we collaborate and maintain partnerships to build shared outcomes. We hold relationships with one in two New Zealand households – and this is not a responsibility we take lightly. In addition, the complexity of challenges we face as a business – partnerships with our supply chain, our broker network, our bank partners and the Government serve as an essential feature to ensure we remain appropriately connected.
“For us, it’s not just about selling insurance, but working together to continually add value to our communities, while also managing risk.
“We’re a trusted organisation, but in times of crisis, trust can slip. We moved early at the onset of COVID-19 in 2020 to establish a ‘specialist customer care team’ to allay the worry and anxiety of those customers who had found themselves in vulnerable situations.”
Amanda didn’t always intend to carve a career in insurance. “It wasn’t my dream career, but as I became embedded I realised how foundational it is. It’s the backbone of our economy and not just about assets anymore, but how to keep people safe – helping communities to avoid risk and become more resilient. As a founding signatory of the Climate Leaders Coalition, Amanda is impressed with the global collaborations to reduce carbon emissions and focus on climate change. “Communities can either build differently or not at all, or retreat from high-risk areas, or put mitigations in place.”
So, what drew Amanda to Global Women in 2021? “The prospect of creating a pipeline for female talent so that we can drive the agenda and make change.” And positive mentoring. “I’ve been thrown in the deep end by mentors, however, they had my back and that made all the difference. Drop thoughts of the Impostor Syndrome and embrace every opportunity to give your best shot. And remember that your life isn’t all about your career and money, it’s about the experiences!”
“Me aro koe ki te hā o Hineahuone” – Pay heed to the dignity of Māori women. This beautiful whakataukī was shared with me by Sharon Shea, MNZM, Co-Chair of the Maori Health Authority (MHA) and Board member of Health NZ (HNZ).
Sharon was born in Tauranga. Her mother is Māori, her dad is Pākehā, of Irish descent. Sharon and her husband, Morris Pita (Ngāti Wai), have three teenage sons and live in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland. Sharon’s iwi affiliations are Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Haua, Ngāti Hine and Ngāti Hako.
Belonging, Equity, Resilience and Impact are four words that epitomize Sharon’s beliefs and passion, particularly as they pertain to the health and well-being of Māori and fulfilling the promise of te Tiriti o Waitangi through governance roles in health. “Māori and non-Māori on both boards are working in partnership for the common good. A strong relationship is developing between the boards. We share with transparency, have robust discussions, and then come to an agreement to ensure that the future health system is going in the right direction.”
Sharon is an optimist. “I like innovation with the focus on better, scalable outcome-focused solutions. I’ve faced many barriers through being indigenous that created bias, discrimination and racism. Collaboration and innovation will lead to improved health for Māori as tangata whenua, and the health of all people in Aotearoa New Zealand.”
Currently, the MHA is in establishment mode. It will be significantly smaller in organisational size to HNZ. “Don’t discount our ability,” Sharon comments, “our influence is huge, and our role is substantive. We are changing the narrative. We will provide better understanding of te Tiriti and the opportunities it holds for success. “Mai i te po ki te ao mārama” (It is in the darkness, that we see the light of our tomorrow.) The current intergenerational disparities are unfair, unjust and in many cases avoidable. We have to recognise systemically the differential starting point of tangata whenua and tangata tiriti. Equitable investment of resources will contribute to equitable outcomes.”
Why did Sharon join Global Women in 2021? “Because it acknowledges the mana inherent in women. We can support and celebrate every success. Today, there are more Maori women in senior leadership roles, but the journey is certainly not equitable; it can be rough and tough. We need to embrace our cultural uniqueness and strengths and work together to ‘level the floor in order to lift the ceiling’. Don’t dwell in the darkness (te po); follow the pathway to knowledge, commitment, action, and reflection (ki te ao mārama).”