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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.

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.

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.

Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew has opened a new photo exhibition at Parliament which showcases women in the construction industry.

“Women are embracing diverse career paths and making a successful contribution in this traditionally male dominated workforce,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“The exhibition creates a photographic montage of 24 women in many construction disciplines.

Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew has commended Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology (CPIT) for its inaugural Top Female Trade Student Award.

“This award recognises and celebrates the achievements of the growing number of women taking up trade roles,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“I congratulate Joy Lalahi on winning this award. Ms Lalahi completed her pre-trade electrical training through CPIT’s Pasifika Trades Training programme.

Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew has today congratulated the winners of the Women of Influence Awards, held for the first time last night.

“These awards are about identifying bold, energetic women who are helping to shape the spirit and future of New Zealand,” says Mrs Goodhew.

The awards recognise 50 influential women across five categories – management and business, local and regional, entrepreneur, community service and social enterprise, and innovation and science.

Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew encouraged all New Zealanders to take action to improve the lives of women as she hosted a celebration of 120 years of women’s suffrage at Parliament.

“On 19 September 120 years ago New Zealand made history. We broke down barriers for women and subsequently helped change world attitudes,” Mrs Goodhew said.

“Today we celebrate the suffragists of yesterday who fought and won for women’s rights and we celebrate those men and women who are continuing to create opportunities for women.

Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew has today launched new research which shows there is a pool of women who are available to assist with the Canterbury rebuild work.

Mrs Goodhew was speaking at an event in Christchurch celebrating 120 years of women’s suffrage in New Zealand.

“On 19 September all those years ago we broke down barriers for women in society and subsequently helped change world attitudes,” Mrs Goodhew said.

Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew today reinforced that diversity of talent within organisations, at all levels, will reap rewards.

Mrs Goodhew was speaking at an event in Auckland celebrating 120 years of women’s suffrage in New Zealand.

“As we mark suffrage we have the perfect opportunity to consider how we can further progress opportunities for women in the future.

Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew has today congratulated the winners of the inaugural Women in Governance Awards.

“These awards are an important initiative to help promote greater gender diversity at senior management and board level in the private sector,” Mrs Goodhew said.

“I was delighted to attend the awards ceremony in Auckland last night. I congratulate Supreme Award winner Alison Paterson and acknowledge all the winners for their contributions to New Zealand companies and organisations.”

Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew has announced the new appointment of Michael Barnett and the reappointment of Susan Peterson as members of the National Advisory Council on the Employment of Women (NACEW) for terms of three years beginning 1 July 2013.

NACEW provides independent advice to the Minister of Women’s Affairs on matters related to women’s employment.

Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew today launched new research from the Electricity Supply Industry Training Organisation (ESITO) on how to attract and retain more women in their industry.

“This research is a valuable resource to help understand how to recruit and retain more women in the electricity supply industry,” said Mrs Goodhew.

“The ESITO findings are also likely to be relevant for other male-dominated trades.”

Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew is encouraging women in Canterbury to think laterally as they consider the career opportunities the region’s rebuild will provide.

“I believe that there will be many new career opportunities for women in Canterbury, in roles they might not have considered prior to the earthquakes,” says Mrs Goodhew.

Mrs Goodhew today met with a group of employers and other organisations engaged in the rebuild to discuss their views on employment options for the women of Canterbury.

Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew today announced that New Zealand has joined a United States-led international initiative called the Equal Futures Partnership.

“Many women across the world, including in New Zealand, face challenges accessing economic opportunities and participating in political and civic life,” said Mrs Goodhew.

Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew has today presented the inaugural UN Women’s Empowerment Principles Benchmarking for Change Award to Andrew Thorburn and the Bank of New Zealand.

The Benchmarking for Change award recognizes a company for embedding accountability to achieve gender equality through meaningful metrics, indicators, and reporting to track and monitor the inclusion of women at all levels of the company's operations.

Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew has today announced New Zealand’s pledge under the UN Women initiative Commit.

“I am pleased to announce that we have added our voice to those of the 46 other Governments around the world who have promised to take action to end violence against women and girls through Commit,” said Mrs Goodhew.

“This initiative urges Governments to take steps to ensure that women and girls are able to lead violence-free lives.

Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew departs on Sunday on a trip to New York, Washington, DC and Toronto.  From 4-6 March she will attend the 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. 

“Every year representatives of member states and observers gather in New York to evaluate progress on gender equality and identify challenges.

Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew has welcomed the launch of the new Voluntary Code of Practice for Board Recruitment, developed by the 25 Percent Group, which supports improved practices in board recruitment.

“I applaud the Code as a further commitment by the private sector towards increasing the number of women in governance. I especially want to congratulate the six recruitment firms who have already signed up to the Code and I look forward to other firms adopting it over time,” said Mrs Goodhew.