Te Ara Wāhine: Women in Trade, Women in Business
SAVE THE DATE | 14 – 16 October 2026 | Rotorua
A pipeline for courage, confidence, and connection
This three-day event is designed especially for wāhine in trade and construction who are ready to take the next step in business.
What an incredible few days! Our first-ever event in October 2025 brought together an inspiring group of women, from tradeswomen running their own businesses, women who’ve supported their partners’ business dreams, office workers to apprentices — all deciding it was time to invest in themselves.
Over three days at the beautiful Millennium Hotel Rotorua, we shared keynotes, hands-on workshops, and plenty of laughs and connection. From practical business insights to a stunning boat cruise and dinner on Lake Rotoiti, it was a weekend full of learning, confidence-building, and community.
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for this inaugural event and helped shape the blueprint for what will now become an annual programme.
We’re excited to announce that the 2026 Te Ara Wāhine Conference is now live for registrations!
Overview of the programme
14 – 16 October 2026 | Millennium Hotel Rotorua
Arrival afternoon:
A pipeline for courage, confidence, and connection
Wednesday, 14 October 2026
| Time | Day 1: A Pipeline for Courage, Confidence, and Connection | Wednesday 14 October 2026 | Who |
|---|---|---|
| 3.00 PM | Hotel check-in and Registration Desk Open | |
| 4.30 PM | Skyline Gondola with Volcanic Hills Wine Tasting | |
| 7.00 PM | Welcome Dinner, Nikau Restaurant, Millennium Hotel |
| Time | Day 2: Empowering Business Confidence | Thursday 15 October 2026 | Who |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Breakfast at leisure | |
| 9.00 AM | MC: Welcome and whakawhanaungatanga | MC |
| 9.30 AM | Speaker: Balancing Business and Wellbeing | Cass Hogan |
| 10.30 AM | Speaker: Insurance and Risk | Bridget Upton |
| 11.30 AM | Morning tea | |
| 12.00 PM | Finance Acumen | Sarah Jamieson Margie Chambers |
| 12.00 PM | Breakout Session: for Apprentices | |
| 1.00 PM | Lunch | |
| 2.00 PM | Speaker: Human Resources | Maree Judd |
| 3.00 PM | Speaker: Governance Panel |
Kaycie O’Connor Laura Gaveika Colleen Upton |
| 4.00 PM | Session close | MC |
| 4.00 PM | Free time | |
| 6.00 PM – 8.00 PM |
Wai Ariki Spa – Soak & Sip Relax and unwind in Wai Ariki’s geothermal pools overlooking Lake Rotorua, while enjoying a beverage in a serene, culturally inspired setting. This experience blends the healing properties of thermal waters with Ngāti Whakaue traditions, offering a perfect moment of connection, restoration, and indulgence. This experience includes the private sanctuary concourse for our group, hot pools and a shared platter and two beverages per guest. *Massages or treatments available if pre-booked, at an additional cost |
| Time | Day 3: Wellbeing for Women Who Lead | Friday 16 October 2026 | Who |
|---|---|---|
| 9.00 AM | MC: Welcome back | MC |
| 9.30 AM | Yoga | Marie Tamatea |
| 10.15 AM | Energiser break – light refreshments | |
| 10.45 AM | Speaker: Hormones - Balancing | Marie Tamatea |
| 11.45 AM | Speaker: Mental Health | Rach Axis-Taane |
| 12.45 PM | Lunch | |
| 1.30 PM | Speaker: | To be confirmed |
| 2.30 PM | Sharing Wisdom, Conference Wrap-Up | MC |
| 3.00 PM | Farewell, travel home safely |
Meet our incredible speakers for 2026:
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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.
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Rach Taane is a registered social worker, speaker, DJ, and family and sexual violence prevention specialist at Tautoko Mai in Tauranga Moana. Through her work in primary prevention, she explores how social norms, gender roles, and inequality create the conditions for harm long before harm happens, partnering with communities to build safer futures and long-term change.
She is also the founder of The Bassline Collective, a community-led primary prevention framework developed through Hikitia and Tautoko Mai to embed consent culture, safety, accountability, and behaviour change across Aotearoa’s live music and events sector. Still in its early stages, the framework is currently being piloted with a local venue and security company, laying the groundwork for wider rollout over time. Alongside this work, Rach DJs nationally and internationally as AXIS, holding space in an industry she is actively working to strengthen from within.
At Te Ara Wāhine, Rach will speak on mental health, identity, and what becomes possible when women step into their values, live with integrity, and show up unapologetically as themselves. Her session explores the cost of people pleasing, the pressure to make choices that benefit others at your own expense, and the power of choosing a life that is aligned, authentic, and grounded in self-worth.
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Colleen is the General Manager and a Company Director at Lower Hutt firm Hutt Gas and Plumbing. She has been involved in the industry for over 34 years and is particularly passionate about supporting women in trades and helping apprentices succeed in their career.
In 2021 Colleen was made an officer of the NZ Order of Merit for services to the plumbing and gasfitting industry and women. She was awarded the inaugural Jackson Women in Plumbing Award at the 2020 New Zealand Plumbing Awards. She has also been the recipient of the Helen Tippet Award, granted in 2019. This is the Supreme Award of the National Association of Women in Construction and was awarded for her outstanding and enduring contribution to supporting women in trade.
She has a wide range of experience in governance and currently serves as the Immediate Past President of NAWIC also sitting on their Board, is the Chair of Hatvikah Blue Hope Foundation (an organisation set up to reduce suicide numbers in the Police and assist with police workers suffering from PTSD and mental health issues), Chairs the Apprentice Reference Group for PGD, and previously sat on the Strategic Reference Group for PGD for Waihanga Ara Rau and is the Secretary for the Hutt Valley Wairarapa Master Plumbers Branch. She has served on the Board of the Regulator (PGDB), was a Director on the Master Plumbers Board, the Masterlink Board and the Plumbers Journal Board as well as serving for over 13 years on Primary, Intermediate and College Boards of Trustees, the Marist St Pat’s Rugby Club Board and on committees for Cubs, Keas and Kindergartens.
Her mantra is “If you don’t have a seat at the table, you’re probably on the menu.”
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have built a career within the Hotel Industry spanning over 25 years, moving up through the ranks from front line roles before stepping into the world of Human Resources, and all things people and culture. My career has seen me work for some of the largest Global Hotel companies in the world and a few boutique properties and resorts, across NZ and Australia, namely the likes of Hilton, InterContinental Hotels Group and Accor.
Relocating back to NZ in 2006, I rejoined Global Hotel company IHG out of Wellington in a Senior HR capacity before coming back to my home town of Auckland where my husband (also a Hotelier) and subsequently had our two daughters. We moved to Rotorua just over 10 years ago, and although a daunting thought at the time moving from the big city lights of Auckland to the Bay, I cannot see us relocating anywhere now, we love our life here. The region is rich in culture, outdoor activities and the ability to maintain a work life balance is exceptional.
Holding Senior HR roles within the Hotel sector and operating HR for multiple hotels across the country, I have a very practical approach to HR Support, with a lifelong passion for learning and development. In my capacity as a small business owner of two businesses locally, across many sectors including construction, engineering, hospitality, tourism, property development, property management and more, I understand the challenges that can come from navigating the ever changing employment landscape. My services encompass advice and support across all generalist functions including; performance management, employment relations and talent development. I am a firm believer, my role is all about relationships, understanding and awareness, and keeping things as simple and practical as possible – these are keys to my success.
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Marie Tamatea is a registered nurse, naturopath, breathwork facilitator, and yoga teacher with over 30 years of healthcare experience. Marie’s approach weaves together clinical knowledge and holistic practice, creating a grounded, heart-first space where you can reconnect with your body, restore balance, and feel empowered to heal from within.
With a Bachelor of Health Science, Postgraduate Certificate in Health Science, Diplomas in Naturopathy, Aromatherapy, and Massage, plus certifications in Reiki, Breathwork, EFT, and Yoga, Marie brings both clinical expertise and holistic wisdom to every session.
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Cass Hogan is a life and business coach, speaker, and the founder of He. and She. – mental health events that create space for real, honest conversations through lived experience.
After building a successful career in corporate operations, Cass made the decision to step back and create a business that prioritised both impact and wellbeing. Now, she works with individuals and business owners to navigate the reality of juggling ambition, pressure, and personal life – without burning out in the process.
Known for her down-to-earth, relatable style, Cass brings a practical and human approach to topics that are often overlooked in business. Through her coaching and events, she helps people move from just “getting through” to feeling more grounded, supported, and in control.
You don’t need to choose between success and your wellbeing – you get to have both.
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.
