The Circular
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CSW69 Highlighted the Lack of Government Action on Gender Equality
At the sixty-ninth session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), women’s civil society representatives voiced deep concerns over the persistent barriers to achieving gender equality and lack of government action on the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action. More than fifty New Zealand civil society delegates were in New York for the first week of the CSW session 10 to 14 March. -
NCW Hibiscus Coast award for nursing student
From left to right: Alexandra Cooper (student award winner), Jenny Brittain (President) & Desley Simpson (Deputy Mayor of Auckland) NCW Hibiscus Coast recently held, for the first time ever, a Tertiary Student Award Presentation and Luncheon. This award was for $2,000, and part of the criteria was that you had to be or have been a Rodney resident who had completed one year of a two-or-more-year course. -
President's kōrero: February 2025
I was very privileged this week to joint with Aleisha Amohia to present NCWNZ’s opposition to the Treaty Principles Bill to the Justice Select Committee – and we were in good company, as you can read about in The Spinoff. Thanks to the whole team who produced the written submission and supported us with the oral. At the same time, I was dismayed that it was necessary for us, and so many other people, having to defend Te Tiriti o... -
Jewish and Palestinian Women’s Peace Groups nominated for 2025 Nobel Peace Prize
For 10 years, Women Wage Peace (Israeli) and Women of the Sun (Palestinian) have been working towards peace between Israel and Palestine, both separately and in partnership – see the Mothers' Call which sets out their joint desire for a peaceful resolution. They have been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize because of their efforts, which – even if they do not win – will highlight their efforts to end conflict. This is a great example of women working together... -
IWD 2025 is just around the corner
As usual, we're looking forward to International Women's Day on 8 March and we're celebrating the UN Women NZ theme of 'March Forward: From Promises to Progress' and the hashtag #MarchForward. This year we have quite a few resources to help you celebrate! Be sure you're keeping an eye on our social media channels so you don't miss out. -
Welcome NCWNZ's new Board Admin, Amandine
Kia ora koutou! Bonjour tout le monde! I'm Amandine, the Board admin's new French intern at NCWNZ, and I'll be there until the end of May! Passionate about international relations and keen to discover the role of an NGO in politics, as well as getting involved in women's rights, I thought your long-established and well-known organization would be the ideal place for me. -
Update on NCWNZ submissions
It's been a busy few months in the lead up to, and during the holidays period, with submissions including the Mental Health Bill and Evidence of Family Violence Bill. The pace has continued with eight submissions completed in 2025 to date: Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill - written and oral submissions Employment Relations (Employee Remuneration Disclosure) Amendment Bill - written and oral submissions Crimes Legislation (Stalking and Harassment) Amendment Bill Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) (3 Day Postnatal Stay)... -
A NCWNZ development opportunity for writers
Submissions are one of the ways NCWNZ works to inform and influence law and policy. They represent the views of our members, and require a collective and collaborative effort. We need to grow our writing team to sustain this important mahi. You may be a subject matter expert or have a broad interest in gender equality. You need an ability to analyse and present complex information in accessible language, to be collaborative and have great time management. The training will... -
How much do you know about menstruation?
Two women dancing and menstruating. Rock art by Indigenous Australians from the Upper Yule River, Pilbara, Western Australia. Image from Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_and_menstruation This article was submitted from the Wellington NCWNZ branch: My name is Giuls (they/them) and I recently joined the Wellington branch of the National Council of Women of New Zealand. Thank you for having me! I am a period advocate on a mission to educate people about the menstrual cycle. I grew up knowing nothing about periods -... -
Submissions on Stalking and Harassment Bill by Auckland Coalition and NCWNZ
The Auckland Coalition for the Safety of Women and Children - established in 2006 and including the NCWNZ Auckland branch among its members - has been lobbying for many years to amend the Crimes Act legislation. The Coalition has been consulted several times by Ministry staff and MPs have visited them in person. A draft bill, written in most part by Coalition members Alison Towns and Carrie Leonetti, Associate Professor of Law. Many drafts were reviewed by members of the Coalition...