08/03/2026
New name change! On IWD we want you to know why:
Aotearoa Women’s Watch is our new name, reflecting an important evolution from Pacific Women’s Watch (NZ), which was established in 2001 as the New Zealand link to the Asia Pacific Women’s Watch network. After listening carefully to our members and supporters, our convening committee believes this change clearly signals our focus on monitoring, reviewing, and reporting on the status of women, girls, and LGBTQI+ people here in Aotearoa New Zealand. While we honour our regional history and connections, our work is now firmly centred on the diverse communities that call Aotearoa home—particularly those experiencing social or economic disadvantage, marginalisation, and barriers to being heard.
We acknowledge the strong and growing leadership of Pacific women-led organisations nationally and internationally, and we see our role as standing alongside them in solidarity. Aotearoa Women’s Watch remains a collective representing the many ethnicities across rural and urban communities, continuing our commitment to evidence-based reporting, collaborative networks, and advocacy for equity and inclusion.
