Graduate Women Canterbury Board - 2025 Newsletter
Chair’s Message
As Chair, this year has reminded me that the strength of Graduate Women Canterbury lies not only in the outcomes we achieve, but in the people who carry out this work with purpose and goodwill. GWC’s volunteers are at the heart of our enterprise, and in 2025 have supported record numbers of graduates across multiple ceremonies under the leadership of Sarah McBurney the managing director of GWC Regalia Hire.
This newsletter is to connect our volunteers with the work of the Trust in 2025 and the impact GWC has had in the community. Our vision remains clear: barrier-free education for all women. Across 2025, the Board continued to evolve as a Te Tiriti-led organisation. Kotahitanga was formally adopted as a core value, and trustees dedicated themselves to regular tikanga and Te Reo Māori development, embedding these practices into our governance rhythm. Our ongoing consultation with mana whenua marked an important step toward understanding the whakapapa of our organisation and its future direction.
This was also a year of substantial operational achievement. UC held its largest graduation ceremony for the third consecutive year, supported by a regalia system now capable of processing more than 3,000 sets through dedicated leadership, improved technology and a committed volunteer team. In the wider community, the board submitted on proposed legislative changes that we felt impacted our ability to achieve our vision and the vision of trust boards similar to ours. Our strategic tools are continuing to develop with a Te Tiriti lens, and our Equity Funding initiative came fully to life.
We also navigated change, celebrating the contribution of trustee Steph White who stepped down following our AGM, while strengthening succession planning with new evaluation tools and clearer pathways for future governance. Above all, we honoured the memory of our late colleague, Loluama Avia, whose contribution continues to guide the kaupapa of this Trust.
As we move forward, our mission remains clear: to help remove barriers within equity, education, and opportunity for women and learners across Waitaha Canterbury.
Volunteers - The Heart of the Enterprise
Volunteers again formed the backbone of our operations. Weekly volunteers, Noeline Clark Award recipients, and long-standing supporters worked tirelessly across all ceremonies and prize-givings.
Notable moments included:
· Acknowledging a volunteer undergoing chemotherapy.
· Celebrating Jean’s 80th birthday during a volunteer appreciation morning tea.
· Ensuring the volunteer induction programme is refreshed for 2026.
Equity and Opportunities
2025 was the year that our long-developed Equity Funding initiative fully came to life, supporting two community groups whose work aligns with GWC’s values. The two finded groups of 2025 were:
Canterbury Muslim Community Trust (CMCT) The Canterbury Muslim Community Trust (CMCT) was one of the two successful recipients in GWC’s inaugural 2025 Equity Funding Round. CMCT received $10,000 to deliver the ‘Future Muslim Women’s Tertiary Initiative’, a year-long programme designed to uplift and empower Muslim wāhine in Ōtautahi. This initiative focuses on cultural identity, creativity, confidence-building, and strengthened pathways into tertiary education. By pairing cultural expression with practical support for future study, the programme aims to foster belonging and visibility for Muslim women—groups who continue to be underrepresented in higher education and face unique barriers to participation.
Pacific Women’s Symposium The Pacific Women’s Symposium was the second recipient of the 2025 GWC Equity Funding Round, receiving $40,000 to deliver a two-day gathering designed by and for Pacific women in Waitaha Canterbury in September. The symposium represented a significant investment in the leadership, voice, and visibility of Pacific wāhine. The event provided a dedicated space for connection, celebration, and capability-building, bringing together Pacific women, students, community leaders, and emerging changemakers. Through workshops, storytelling, cultural knowledge-sharing, and community-led dialogue, the symposium aimed to strengthen identity, confidence, education pathways, and leadership opportunities for Pasifika women. Trustees attended and presented taonga in memory of Loluama.
Tertiary Partnerships Funding Initiatives
Our long-standing partnerships with UC, ARA and Lincoln continued to grow:
Lincoln University
In 2025, Lincoln University delivered its fourth Career Development Programme for Professional Women Staff, made possible through GWC funding. The programme supports non-academic women staff to clarify career pathways, recognise their strengths, and plan for development—addressing long-standing gaps in career support for professional staff within tertiary settings. The three-stage programme included a workshop, a comprehensive Career Intelligence© assessment, and a one-on-one coaching session. Six women participated in 2025, with feedback consistently positive, noting clear objectives, relevant content, strong facilitation, and practical value. The initiative removes common barriers by offering the programme during work hours and without fees, signalling the University’s commitment to empowering women staff and aligning with its strategic values.
University of Canterbury
In 2025, GWC funded two new Te Kakau a Māui Scholarships at UC, providing $60,000 in full tuition support for women from financially disadvantaged backgrounds. These scholarships, alongside two continuing recipients from 2024, form part of UC’s wider programme that removes barriers to tertiary study and wraps students in a comprehensive enrichment model including mentoring, coaching, homebase groups, and leadership development. The programme continues to demonstrate strong outcomes: high engagement, significantly improved retention compared with matched peers, and strong academic performance—particularly among Pacific scholars. Students report that the scholarship not only alleviates financial pressure but builds confidence, wellbeing, and personal leadership. The initiative aligns closely with GWC’s mission by increasing access to education for disadvantaged women and enabling long-term, community-impacting success.
ARA
In 2025, Ara Institute of Canterbury delivered three successful scholarship rounds funded by GWC, allocating scholarships to 51 women learners undertaking programmes requiring compulsory placements or block courses. Demand increased significantly, with total applications rising from 47 in 2024 to 62 in 2025, and an improved success rate of 82%. Students reported strong benefits, especially for out-of-region placements where costs are substantial. All funds were fully utilised. Eligibility criteria remain unchanged, and Ara will continue to promote the fund widely, ensure transparent allocation.
Scholarships and Awards
2025 saw a significant increase in funding distributed to learners and communities:
· $210,140 in grants paid, up from $137,570 the previous year.
· Funding supported academic excellence, tertiary pathways, community empowerment, and the Equity Fund.
· Investment income contributed to regalia stock purchases and strengthened our long-term financial foundation.
We also awarded the following in 2025:
· Viticulture and Oenology Prize
· UC GWC Trust Board Scholarship
· Helen Wily Prize
· Secondary School Science Fair
· Sadie Balkind Scholarships
· UC History and English Prizes
· and represented GWC on the panel for the Noeline Clark Foundation Scholarships.
Governance
Governance was a defining focus in 2025, with the Board implementing a deep programme of capability building, policy development, and Te Tiriti-led practice.
Key Areas of Progress
Strengthening Te Tiriti Commitment: Our commitment to becoming a Te Tiriti-led organisation deepened this year. Through wānanga, karakia, and ongoing tikanga practice, trustees engaged in structured learning every six weeks. Working and collaborating with mana whenua in 2025 and into the future will support deeper whakapapa understanding and inform steps toward a potential organisational name change.
Strategic and Policy Development: Submissions were made on legislation including the Treaty Principles Bill, Regulatory Standards Bill, and proposals affecting charitable taxation. We will be looking at Treaty -led policy reviews in the beginning of 2026.
Succession Planning and Board Capability: Expression of Interest for new trustees were received from three candidates, looking to 2026 to build a strong succession programme for the board as some of our trustees come close to the end of their tenure.
Relationship Building: Engagement with UC progressed through work on a new Memorandum of Understanding and an ongoing discussion about service-level expectations for regalia delivery. Trustees also facilitated community workshops and maintained strong tertiary relationships.
Finance
2025 closed with a financial surplus, enabling expansion of both our Equity Fund and regalia stock. The Craigs investment portfolio exceeded $1 million, peaking around $1.29 million mid-year.
Community Engagement
GWC strengthened relationships with communities, partners, and learners across Canterbury.
· Trustees represented GWC at UC, ARA, Lincoln and multiple award ceremonies.
· Successful workshops were delivered for Ethnic Women New Zealand, supporting migrant and refugee youth in years 12–13.
· The Pacific Women’s Symposium was deeply meaningful, strengthening Pasifika engagement.
· Social media engagement grew significantly, with top-performing campaigns including:
o ARA competition
o Mother’s Day competition
o Equity funding announcements
o Graduate interview series
Our presence in the community is stronger than ever.
Acknowledgements
The Board extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to another exceptional year. Our volunteers brought energy, generosity, and skill to every graduation and school prizegiving, while Sarah our managing director led Regalia Hire operations for the largest and busiest year. Trustees stepped forward with commitment and care, navigating governance transformation and community engagement with aroha and clarity.
We acknowledge Steph White, who stepped down at the AGM, for her years of service and financial stewardship; and Helen Rowley, who will step down after completing the 2026 Equity Grant cycle, for her leadership across Awards, H&S, and community relationships.
We honour the memory of Loluama Avia, whose contributions to our trust deed development and equity Kaupapa continue to guide our work.
This organisation moves because of its people. Thank you.