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Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew has celebrated the 121st anniversary of women’s suffrage with an event recognising women leaders in innovation.

This evening’s event is part of the Leading Edge series being held at the National Library in Wellington. This series looks at New Zealand, both past and present, through the lens of innovation.

“In celebrating our women leaders in innovation, I acknowledge the women and men in 1893 that were innovative in their struggle to give women voting rights,” Mrs Goodhew said.

Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew has focused on the increasing number of women entering trades as she officially opened Adult Learners’ Week, He Tangata Mātauranga.

Adult Learners’ Week was established in 1998 to raise the profile of adult learning and to celebrate the successes and achievements of those participating in Adult and Community Education.

Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew has congratulated the winners of this year’s Diversity Awards.

The winners of the 17^th annual ANZ and Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) Trust Diversity Awards were announced in Auckland last night.

“The Diversity Awards provides an opportunity for businesses across New Zealand to showcase their successful workplace diversity initiatives,” says Mrs Goodhew.

This year’s Supreme Award winner, Jacobs employs approximately 70,000 employees across a range of technical sectors.

Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew has commended the Road Transport Forum for their Women in Road Transport Action Plan, which is geared at attracting more women to the sector.

“Research shows that the transport sector is facing a long-term shortage of at least 1,100 drivers. This projected shortage and the consequent freight delays could have wide economic repercussions.

“This Action Plan will serve as a useful tool as the sector looks to address that shortage by appealing to more women,” says Mrs Goodhew. 

Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew is calling on business leaders to focus on creating pathways to leadership for more women in New Zealand.

“Gender balance in our organisations is vital for building and sustaining our competitive and innovative edge in an increasingly challenging and volatile global market,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“Business leaders need to acknowledge the advantage of gender balance – including better productivity and improved business performance.

Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew will travel to Beijing today to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Women and the Economy Forum as Head of the New Zealand delegation.

“The APEC Women and the Economy Forum is a Ministerial-level meeting with a focus on developing policy recommendations for women and innovative economic growth. This focus aligns well with my work in New Zealand to increase women’s economic independence.

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

Thank you to Merryn Morrison for your kind introduction. 

I am grateful to the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce to have this opportunity to speak to you tonight.

The Chamber has a proud history as the district's leading business organisation for over one hundred years. I look forward to the contribution you will make over the next hundred.

Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew will travel to New York tomorrow for the 58th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).

“CSW is the principal global policy making body dedicated exclusively to gender equality and the advancement of women,” says Mrs Goodhew.

This year’s theme is challenges and achievements in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals for women and girls.

Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew says the New Zealand economy will benefit when all organisations achieve greater diversity in their leadership roles.

“I’m encouraging women who are ready for the challenges of a governance role, or are keen to take on more, to get in touch with the Ministry of Women’s Affairs,” says Mrs Goodhew.

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

Thank you Lindy for your kind introduction.

I would like to acknowledge this year’s 14 Escalator participants.

I also want to acknowledge Lindy as the inspiration behind the Agri-Women’s Development Trust.

Lindy, your foresight and determination in the development of the Escalator programme enables many more women to step up and show what they can do beyond the farm.

Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew has welcomed news that a record number of women are participating in the labour market.

The Household Labour Force Survey (HLFS) found women’s participation rate has risen to 63.4 per cent - the highest level since the survey began in 1986.

“The continued increase in the number of women in the workforce shows New Zealand is gradually waking up to the role women can play in growing our economy,” says Mrs Goodhew.