Shannon Taua and Fifita Tahaafe, were selected to represent RHS and attend the Christchurch International Women’s day brunch organised by the UN Women Aotearoa New Zealand.

The Woolston Tannery were wonderful hosts for this event, providing everyone with a hot breakfast and friendly smiles, which was greatly appreciated. 

The gathering started off with the reading of messages from both the Governor General of New Zealand and the UN Women’s National Committee Aotearoa New Zealand 2016 President, Barbara Williams.

Both of these messages made it clear that this year’s theme of “Planet 50/50: Step it up for Gender Equality” is an achievable goal and that with energy, passion, time and resources this should be a developed reality by 2030.

The guest speaker was Sacha McMeeking, Head of School, Aotahi, Maori and Indigenous Studies at UC. Sacha is also recognised as an emerging NZ leader. She shared some very emotional and personal experiences that connected her with her diverse audience of women; leaving many in the audience with tears in their eyes. Shannon and Fifita, who are both of Maori and Pacific Island heritage found it especially easy to relate to some of the experiences she discussed. A stand-out quote for Fifita was, “that it starts at home, in our communities and locals areas. We can improve the stats and data on wage differences and opportunities offered to women in comparison to men. But if the worth of women isn’t shown in the home, there will be no progression.”

Shannon and Fifita then stayed around to chat to the other women and students and Sacha herself. They thoroughly enjoyed themselves and were educated at the same time.