PĀNUI
NEWS
UN Women in Leadership Summit 2026.
27 / 02 / 2026
Our team recently had the privilege of attending the 11th Annual Women in Leadership Summit, a three-day gathering in Te Whanganui a Tara, Wellington. Delivered in partnership with UN Women Aotearoa New Zealand, the summit aligns with the global mission to accelerate women’s leadership, economic empowerment, safety, and resilience.
For our CEO, Toni Tinirau, world champion boxer Mea Motu's opening address was immediately striking. Her account of identity, reconnection, and reclaiming her future was raw and real, and it resonated deeply, particularly given the realities faced by the whānau we support in the family harm space. It was a powerful reminder that leadership is lived, and often forged through adversity.
A central theme for Toni was purpose-driven leadership: the idea that every action must connect back to why we do what we do. Rather than striving to do more, she reflected on the greater value of doing fewer things with real quality and intent. The summit also affirmed her democratic leadership style, one that centres shared voices and collective input, arriving at just the right moment as we prepare for managers' planning and the year ahead.
"Under the theme Stronger Together: Leading with Resilience, leaders from across government, iwi, business, and community came together to explore what purposeful leadership looks like in uncertain times."
There was also a timely reminder that good leadership includes careful stewardship of the business itself. In an unpredictable global environment, financial stability and strategic clarity are not peripheral concerns. They are essential to delivering sustainable services across health, mental health, and addiction support.
Another highlight was Mai Chen, whose practical, candid insights reinforced a simple but important truth: everyone in the room has purpose, and no contribution is greater than another.
Perhaps the most telling sign of the summit's impact was the energy on the journey home. Rather than quiet fatigue, there were lively conversations and genuine reflection.
In the days since, Toni has noticed renewed focus and subtle but meaningful shifts in thinking across the team. The experience prompted all of us to look inward, to ask whether we are truly fit for purpose, and to recommit to serving our communities with resilience and clarity.
Attending the summit was a timely reset and a reaffirmation that strong, inclusive leadership matters now more than ever. We left with renewed clarity, a deeper sense of purpose, and a shared commitment to showing up for our communities with the resilience this moment calls for.
