President Janet - Feb 2026

Tena koutou katoa

February has been a great month for connecting with members. I have enjoyed online and face to face catch ups. 

Firstly, our BPW NZ zoom meetings have commenced with energy. I encourage all members to join these when you can. They are usually one hour or less in duration. Taskforces for Issues and Membership are to the point and input from attendees is always interesting. Our BPW Aotearoa sessions for individual members and anyone who would like to join from clubs often has guest speakers or interesting discussion topics. 

Internationally I attend the Intercontinental Mobility Taskforce zoom and the open meeting they host which is usually either NZ time 8am or 7am non-daylight-saving time. The mixing of and hearing from our BPW sisters from other countries gives a whole new perspective.

Online meetings have been a real game-changer since COVID ensured they were another means of communication. We have successfully held AGMs and SGMs this way. Recent SGM on 22^nd February ensured we voted in a new constitution to enable us to comply legally with changes to New Zealand’s legislation with the Incorporated Societies Act 2022.

Your BPW NZ executive holds monthly meetings online and this means we can be instantly up to date with our mandate from members to run BPW NZ business.

I have physically met with BPW Huntly & Districts, Franklin, and Central Hawkes Bay during February. I love meeting new and existing members to hear their views and ideas, enjoy hospitality and hear speakers.

President Janet with CHB member Vera Smith a member of nearly 40 years

At the Franklin AGM on 25^th February, I had the privilege of presenting Keys to Achievement certificates. Congratulations to Franklin President Helen Baucke (Bronze, Silver & Gold), Franklin members Jill Ovens (Bronze) and Hansa Naran (Bronze); along with Siobhan Dilly, BPW NZ Executive Treasure and Individual member (Silver and Gold).

I also acknowledge Past President and Life Member Joan Bielby and Past President Faye Gardiner, who I also met with, along with the Tamaki past President Catherine Nairn. Both Joan and Faye have had their health challenges in recent times and still offer valuable insight and support to me as BPW NZ President and to our executive team. 

Unfortunately, your executive made the call not to proceed with the Leadership Retreat planned for end of March. This was due to lack of sufficient numbers to cover costs. We will, however, be holding a Leadership workshop online in its place, so watch out for further information on this initiative. 

What an extremely busy month we have had!

Ngā mihi nui

President Janet