AGWN: Mana Wāhine and Mentoring
Hosts: Te Aka Wāhine o Tāmaki Auckland Government Women’s Network
Venue: Online via Zoom
Date: 24 October
Facilitator: Wikitōria (Victoria) Mataitonga – AGWN komiti member
Speakers:
- Janine Parsons – Operations Director Northern/Pacific, Immigration NZ
- Rema Erueti – Head of Operations Manukau, Immigration NZ
- La’a Tamarau – Head of Operations, Christchurch, Immigration NZ
It was amazing to come together online to hear from three wāhine Māori who are all part of the leadership team at Immigration NZ.
Discussions centered around the value of authentic and instinctive leadership and how important it is to find a supportive mentor. It was a great motivator to be reminded that putting yourself forward for a leadership positions means you'll have the opportunity to make the changes you'd like to see.
Key takeaways
- Ask for mentoring, build relationships and make your goals clear
- Not limiting yourself around the kind of roles you could do
- Having the right support around you is very important
- Challenge yourself, to be comfortable in the uncomfortable
- We underestimate ourselves and what we are capable of as women
- Don't be afraid to find your own mentors, ask people you admire.
- Inspired by the many amazing women balancing high-level roles with busy lives who are
- Wāhine overcoming all sorts of adversity and challenges to succeed personally and professionally
- We all need jobs at Immigration!
Feedback from attendees
- Keep up the good work. I enjoyed the mana wāhine session. Very inspiring
- I truly appreciate the speakers being so open and willing to share their personal experiences and being so inspirational
- I find this network very uplifting and motivating, thank you!