Women's Network Whanganui

01/10/2026

SUPPORT GROUP ✨

If you're on a continuing journey with endometriosis, have lived experience, and want to meet up with other folk like you, drop on in from 9:30am-12:30pm tomorrow here at Network HQ.

Meet ups will happen fortnightly on Fridays from tomorrow onward.

We look forward to welcoming you - feel free to join the Endometriosis & Adenomyosis Support Group Whanganui page on Facebook or contact Kathy for more info [details on the flyer] 🤩

24/09/2026

9.25 ✨️💃🎸

Tomorrow marks the beginning of Dolly Parton Day. Many states across America have declared 9/25 as the perfect day and way to celebrate the extraordinary life and legacy of the late great Dolly Parton.

It's hard to believe it's been a month since we lost this legend. Musical giant, dreamer in chief, businesswoman, actor, producer, mentor, philanthropist, author, literary champion, style icon and humanitarian. There's so much to say about Dolly and so much to be thankful for.

So, tomorrow, we are going to honour Dolly by trying to give a little more kindness, sharing our love of books, supporting causes we love, and daring to dream bigger and better because if Dolly could, then so can we 🌟💗

24/09/2026

HĪKOI 4 HEALTH. Health Reform in Aotearoa: A People's Inquiry ✅

Follow the journey of two experienced doctors and poets who, like many other New Zealanders, have been angered by what they see as the failure of successive governments to care for the taonga of our public health system.

"We believe it is time for new ways to think about health and healthcare in Aotearoa/New Zealand."

During the Hīkoi for Health: A People’s Inquiry, they drove 3120 kms around the motu in a refurbished van/ambulance (a ‘vanbulance’ for short) collecting your ideas for improvement. On May 8 on Parliament grounds, they shared some preliminary results from what they've found.

Not only have they published their findings, they will also be releasing a documentary film by team member Ōriwa Hakaraia, to encourage debate and stimulate even better ideas. And they'll soon be retracing the route of their original hīkoi to deliver free copies of their 'report' and a copy for every MP!

👉 Come and meet Dr's Glenn Colquhoun and Art Nahill THIS Sunday, 11am at the Lockett Gallery, 65a Guyton Street 🤩

👉 Read more here: https://healthreformnz.org/

23/09/2026

AN INVITATION 🤩

Join in NZ's best women's fest right here in Whanganui. Expressions of interest are open through until 13 November.

Festival theme: champion women and girls, engage community, lead the way!

We'd love to hear from you if you'd like to be involved by running an event or activity. It's always a good time 🦸‍♀️

19/09/2026

WOMEN WHO LEAD: TANIA KING 👏 ✨

Next Tuesday, join us for our monthly hour of power, and more! It's free to attend - refreshments can be purchased onsite.

Tania is the Chief Executive / Kaiwhakahaere Matua of Sport Whanganui. With a strong background in leadership, education, and community development, Tania is passionate about improving hauora and ensuring people across our region have access to sport, physical activity, and wellbeing opportunities 🦸‍♀️

Women Who Lead is a partner initiative brought to you by the good folk at the Women's Network and Sport Whanganui, with venue host support from the team at Barracks Sports Bar 🤩

18/09/2026

SUFFRAGE DAY: TODAY 💚🤍💜

Today marks 133 years since our world-leading legislation was passed for universal suffrage.

We are inspired by this legacy every day in our work. There is still more to do to achieve gender equity, here in Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world.

Let's make sure that we show up in the upcoming general election so that we can keep our amazing suffrage legacy well and truly alive ✊🦸‍♀️

133 years ago, women changed New Zealand by demanding a seat at the table.🏆

They didn't politely wait their turn.

They organised. They disrupted. They challenged politicians. They made themselves impossible to ignore.

This Suffrage Day, honour the suffragists the same way they honoured each other: by showing up. 🙌

Learn the policies. Question the candidates. Vote like the women of 1893 are watching. 🇳🇿✅

And if a politician doesn't like being held accountable?

Tell them Kate sent you.

16/09/2026

SUFFRAGE DAY: SATURDAY 💚🤍💜

This Saturday marks 133 years since our world-leading legislation for universal suffrage was passed. It's a remarkable day to commemorate. And, with a general election coming up, it's important to remember the sacrifices that so many women made to ensure that we have the right to vote today.

Our ten dollar note also reminds us of the significance of this extraordinary legacy as it features the legendary Kate Sheppard. If you'd like to 'donate a Kate', our Givealittle page is always open, with every dollar going directly into our activities and projects for the benefit of women and girls locally: https://givealittle.co.nz/org/womensnetworkwhanganui/

👉 If you're keen to attend one or either of our Suffrage Day events, remember to RSVP by Friday lunchtime so that we can prep accordingly 👌

15/09/2026

WOMEN WHO LEAD: TANIA KING 👏 ✨

Next Tuesday, join us for our monthly hour of power, and more! It's free to attend - refreshments can be purchased onsite.

Tania is the Chief Executive / Kaiwhakahaere Matua of Sport Whanganui, a role she has held since March 2025. With a strong background in leadership, education, and community development, Tania is passionate about improving hauora and ensuring people across the Whanganui, Ruapehu, and Rangitīkei regions have access to sport, physical activity, and wellbeing opportunities.

She previously served as Corporate Business Manager at Sport Whanganui for three and a half years and has also held leadership roles as Chief Operating Officer at NZICPA and Principal at Whanganui Girls' College—reflecting her broad capability across education, corporate, and community sectors.

Tania holds a Master of Educational Administration and first trained as a Health and Physical Education teacher, gaining a Bachelor of Education and Diploma of Teaching. Her academic and cultural grounding informs her inclusive, community-first leadership style. Alongside her executive roles, Tania has extensive governance experience across council-controlled organisations, school boards, and local trusts. She also facilitates governance and strategic planning workshops, supporting others to strengthen their impact through sound leadership and clear direction.

Driven by a deep belief in equity, wellbeing, and opportunity for all, Tania continues to champion initiatives that build stronger, healthier communities across the region.

Women Who Lead is a partner initiative brought to you by the good folk at the Women's Network and Sport Whanganui, with venue host support from the team at Barracks Sports Bar 🤩

01/09/2026

BRYONY MATTHEWS PRESENTS BRAIN STORM - A Musical
Journey of Recovery 🎶

We have it on good authority from the one-and-only musical genius Amiria Grenell that this show is brilliant. See it at Repertory Theatre this Thursday, 7pm [R15].

Brain Storm is an immersive live music and storytelling experience exploring the realities of traumatic brain injury and the long road to recovery. Created by Ōtautahi singer-songwriter Bryony Matthews, the show weaves together original songs, personal storytelling, and evocative visuals to share a deeply human story of loss, resilience, and adaptation. Drawing on Bryony's own experience of life-changing head trauma, Brain Storm offers a rare and honest glimpse into the often-unseen challenges of living with an acquired brain injury.

Featuring music from Bryony's upcoming concept album, the performance unfolds across six chapters, tracing a journey through injury, uncertainty, healing, and renewal. Atmospheric soundscapes and intimate storytelling combine to create an experience that is both deeply personal and widely relatable. Moving, insightful, and ultimately hopeful, Brain Storm invites audiences to step into a world rarely spoken about and gain a deeper understanding of the realities of living with brain injury.

Music written by Bryony Matthews
Soundscapes by Joshua Holmes
Visuals by Nicholas Ahu

👉 Ticket link: https://www.undertheradar.co.nz/gig/103050/Bryony-Matthews-Presents-Brain-Storm.utr