HOW YOU CAN HELP
Sponsor an Apprentice
If your business would like to help open the door for the next generation of wāhine in trade, sponsoring an apprentice's place is a direct, visible way to invest in the industry's future.
The programme
Three days to learn,
connect and grow.
A programme designed to build confidence, strengthen business capability, support personal growth and create meaningful connections.
Day one · Wednesday 14 October 2026
Arrival & connection
3:00pm
Check-in and registration
Hotel foyer
4:30pm
Skyline Gondola with Volcanic Hills wine tasting and a casual dinner at the top
Group outing
Day two · Thursday 15 October 2026
Empowering business confidence
9:00–9:15am
Welcome & whakawhanaungatanga
Anna Veale · MC
9:15am
Wholebeing Balance
Cass Hogan
10:15am
Insurance & Risk
Bridget Upton & Sacha Last
11:15am
Morning Tea
11:45am
Finance Fit
Margie Chambers
12:45pm
HR Updates
Maree Judd
1:45pm
Lunch
2:30pm
Governance Panel
Kaycie O'Connor & Colleen Upton
3:30pm
Implementing AI
Sarah Jamieson
4:15pm
Day One wrap up
Anna Veale · MC
6:00–8:00pm
Evening experience
Wai Ariki Spa — Soak & Sip
Unwind in Wai Ariki's geothermal pools overlooking Lake Rotorua, with a private sanctuary concourse for the group, hot pools and refreshments. Massages or treatments available if pre-booked, at an additional cost.
For apprentices
Dedicated apprentice programme
The apprentice-specific programme for Day Two replaces the three business-owner-focused sessions — Finance Acumen, HR and Governance Panel — which are less directly relevant to someone at apprentice stage.
A hands-on trade skills workshop and a mentorship “day in the life” panel from wāhine in the workplace take their place. Apprentices join the group for everything else.
Day three · Friday 16 October 2026
Wellbeing for women who lead
9:30am
Yoga
Marie Tamatea
10:15am
Energiser Break & Refreshments
10:45am
Balancing Hormones
Marie Tamatea
11:45am
Mental Health – Identity & Reclamation
Rach Axis-Taane Tinorau
1:00pm
Lunch
1:30–3:30pm
Stop Holding It Together. Build a Business That Holds Itself
Workshop · Nik McIntosh, TradeLab
3:30pm
Sharing Wisdom
Wrap-up & farewell · Anna Veale, MC
For apprentices
Dedicated apprentice programme
The apprentice-specific programme for Day Three replaces the business-owner-focused sessions on Balancing Hormones and the 1:30pm session.
Apprentices will focus with a coach on setting some goals for their own apprenticeships and careers. Led by tradeswomen themselves, it will be interactive and engaging.
READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP?
Come together. Be inspired. Back yourself.
Three days for wāhine in trade and construction to learn, connect, grow and invest in what comes next.
14–16 October 2026 | Millennium Hotel, Rotorua
