Te Ara Wāhine: Women in Trade, Women in Business
SAVE THE DATE | 15 – 17 October 2025 | Millennium Hotel Rotorua
A pipeline for courage, confidence, and connection
Many of us have supported our partners in their dream to own a business — now it’s time to invest in ourselves. Being the first one of its kind, we have limited spaces to 25 and will use this as a blueprint to create an annual programme.
Across three days, participants will experience a mix of inspiring keynotes, practical workshops, and networking opportunities, all created to build confidence, capability, and connection.
Whether you’re supporting your whānau business or ready to lead your own, you’ll leave with the knowledge, inspiration, and network to shape your future.
Venue - Millennium Hotel Rotorua
Sitting right on the edge of Lake Rotorua, the Millennium Hotel offers the perfect setting to relax, connect, and focus on your growth.
The investment - $1,650 + gst
2 x nights accommodation with breakfast each morning
Catering across the conference programme
Boat cruise, dinner & drinks on Lake Rotoiti
A wonderful speaker line-up
This inaugural three-day event is designed especially for wāhine in trade and construction who are ready to take the next step in business.
You’ll walk away with:
Practical tools for financial acumen, HR, governance, and business efficiency.
Personal growth strategies to manage balance, overcome imposter syndrome, and step into leadership.
Networks and inspiration from wāhine who’ve walked this path and are ready to uplift others.
Space to recharge and celebrate through shared meals, social gatherings, and a closing champagne breakfast.
Conference programme
Day 1: Collective Strength | Wednesday 15 October 2025
| Time | Day 1 | Who |
|---|---|---|
| 11.00am | Registrations open | |
| 11.30am | Welcome lunch | |
| 12.30pm | MC: Welcome and whakawhanaungatanga | |
| 1.00pm | Speaker: Finding Balance – Business, Family, and Self | Deborah Workman |
| 2.00pm | Speaker: Creating Efficiencies in the Workplace with AI | Matt Browning |
| 2.45pm | Energiser break | |
| 3.00pm | Speaker: Imposter syndrome: navigating self-doubt | Colleen Upton ONZM |
| 4.00pm | MC: Day One Reflections | |
| 4.15pm | Break & prepare for evening | |
| 5.15pm | Gather for transfer to dinner | |
| 5.30pm | Evening Boat Cruise & Dinner Experience | Pure Cruise Airstream |
Day 2: Empowering Business Confidence | Thursday 16 October 2025
| Time | Day 2 | Who |
|---|---|---|
| 8.00am | Breakfast in the restaurant | |
| 9.00am | MC: Welcome back – Whakawhanaungatanga and energiser | |
| 9.30am | Speaker: Financial Acumen: staying on top of the numbers | Sarah Jamieson |
| 10.30am | Morning tea | |
| 11.00am | Speaker: HR essentials: Navigating Today’s Challenges | |
| 12.00pm | Speaker: Health & Wellness | |
| 1.00pm | Networking Lunch | |
| 1.45pm | Panel: Governance Pathways | Sarah Jamieson & Colleen Upton ONZM |
| 2.45pm | MC: Day Two Reflections | |
| 3.00pm | Free time, spa/massage/walk (optional) | |
| 6.00pm | Evening Networking: Club Lounge Drinks & Dinner In-House |
Day 3: Collective Strength | Friday 17 October 2025
| Time | Day 3 |
|---|---|
| 9.00am | Champagne Breakfast & Open Forum – Bring Your Challenges, Share Your Wisdom |
| 11.00am | MC: Event summary |
| 11.30am | Travel home safely |
Some of our speakers
Sarah Jamieson
Sarah is an Associate Chartered Accountant and the owner of a successful plumbing & gas business with branches in Rotorua, Kawerau & Te Puke. With a unique blend of financial expertise and industry experience, Sarah is passionate about empowering other women in trades to build financially resilient businesses. She brings practical insights into budgeting, cash flow management, and strategic planning tailored to the plumbing industry.
Deborah Workman
LANDING IN PRESENCE
Executive life & leadership coach - guiding leaders into greater clarity, presence, and personal power.
Hayley Nelson
Hayley brings warmth, energy and authenticity as MC of Te Ara Wahine 2025. With a background in employee engagement and people leadership, she is passionate about creating spaces where women feel supported, heard, and empowered. Hayley blends professionalism with a light touch of humour, guiding the event with ease and ensuring every speaker and story shines. Her presence helps foster connection, confidence and inspiration, making TAW 2025 a memorable and uplifting experience for all.
Colleen Upton ONZM
Colleen is the General Manager and Director of Lower Hutt plumbing firm Hutt Gas and Plumbing Systems Ltd. Having been involved in the industry for over 33 years, she is particularly passionate about supporting women in trade and helping young apprentices succeed in their career.
Anna Veale
Anna is a High Performance Coach with 20 years’ experience, specialising mental fitness and holistic well-being.
Founder of Fresh Coaching (2003), she combines mind–body practice with practical leadership coaching to boost resilience, energy management, and sustainable performance.
A published author and NZ Life Coach Facilitator, she teaches people how to use their mind so they can live authentic, meaningful lives.
She speaks regularly at national events and has partnered with clients across corporate and international sport, delivering accessible, evidence-based strategies with live breathwork demonstrations.
Lisa Duston
Lisa is driven by a simple principle: doing the right thing by our people. As People & Culture Manager at Master Plumbers NZ, she works alongside members every day, helping them navigate the practical HR challenges that come with running a trade business. From tackling employment issues to shaping positive workplace cultures, Lisa’s focus is always on supporting both employers and employees to succeed.
With a strong understanding of the plumbing industry and its unique pressures, Lisa combines professional HR expertise with a genuine appreciation of what members need on the ground. She’s passionate about making HR less daunting, more practical, and above all, people-first.
At this Women’s Retreat, Lisa will share insights into everyday HR done well, how doing right by your people creates stronger businesses and stronger teams.
