What we doWe provide an annual awards programme to support women in Aotearoa New Zealand who:
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It is much easier conquering the world when you have the strong support group. This award gave me some additional motivation and confidence which I was lacking. Something tells me that after this course my life will never be the same!
- Anastasija Taranenko, Outward Bound Classic Course Award, 2021
Our Team
The Trust is governed by volunteer Trustees, and managed by a paid National Trust Manager and Operations Coordinator.
We are honoured for Hon Dame Silvia Cartwright PCNZM, DBE, QSO to be our Patron.
We are honoured for Hon Dame Silvia Cartwright PCNZM, DBE, QSO to be our Patron.
Frances Sheriff
Chairwoman Based in Pōneke Wellington, Frances has been involved with the Trust for over four years, bringing a deep commitment to supporting education, research, and innovation that improves the lives of wāhine in Aotearoa.
Alongside her work with the Trust, Frances is the Marketing Lead at Water New Zealand, where she drives initiatives that connect water professionals, champion sustainable water management, and highlight the cultural and social significance of wai in Aotearoa. With a background spanning leadership, communications, and advocacy, Frances brings energy and vision to her role, guided by the belief that empowering wāhine uplifts whānau, communities, and the future of Aotearoa. |
Janet Gibb
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Alison Kuiper
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Karen Shepard
Trustee Karen is passionate about making a positive difference in the world. She has worked in various fields, including non-profit, NGO, and local government, for over 25 years. She successfully built her own marketing and communication partnership business for 10 years, helping both new and established organisations with their branding. and business development needs. Currently, Karen works in the healthcare sector, supporting older people in Aotearoa. Karen loves nature and animals. She lives on the Canterbury Plains with family including too many rescue pets, and enjoys gardening, pottery, and spending time with her friends and family.
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Katherine Dickerson
Trustee Katherine is from New York and is now based in Wellington where she has worked in the New Zealand public sector for nearly ten years. Her current work involves regulatory policy and international engagement in aviation with a strong focus on advancing gender equality in the aviation industry. She previously worked in the tertiary education and training space implementing and monitoring government funding and initiatives. Katherine is currently the Vice President of the Wellington Branch of the National Council of Women New Zealand and also volunteers with the Citizens Advice Bureau. She enjoys spending time with her partner and dog and is an avid reader and cook. Katherine is delighted to be blending her passions for tertiary education and training as well as gender equality through the work of New Horizons for Women.
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Marie Schmidt
Trustee Marie Schmidt is from West Auckland and is of Samoan and Tongan ethnicity.
Marie is currently the National Secretary of the national women’s Pacific collective called “PACIFICA Inc” and is a member of the PACIFICA West Auckland Branch and the Aro'a Tunoa Brance in Porirua. Marie is a co-opted committee member for the Porirua Pasifika Community Patrol since 2017. Marie worked for the public sector for 36 years and is now a freelance sole trader. She has experience in governance, being on many reference and advisory groups, and demonstrated abilities in developing constitutions, strategies, programmes and policies. Her outside interests are staring at her idle motorbike and E-bike, swimming lengths at the pools to de-stress, attending church events and supporting her favourite rugby team, THE BLUES. |
Marion Ferguson
Trustee As a social analyst, community development specialist and trained teacher Marion spent 30 years planning, managing and mentoring non-government organisations and individuals in education and community development programmes in Nepal, Nauru, Papua New Guines, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, other Pacific Nations and in Porirua East. Her recent Board experience is with the Cambodia Trust, the Solomon Islands Association of Rural and Vocational Training Centres and the Kiribati Catholic Women’s Association.
Marion is passionately committed to ensuring that people have sufficient information, skills and confidence to take an active part in managing their lives and achieve their dreams. She is very excited that she can continue this commitment through New Horizons for Women, Marion volunteers with the Kaibosh Food Recovery programme and as a Refugee Support Volunteer with Red Cross She lives in Wellington with her partner and is currently missing the presence of cats and dogs in her life.
Ani Stace
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Jenni Tupu
Trustee Of Māori and Pacific heritage, Jenni lives in West Auckland with her whānau in a vibrant, multi-generational home filled with tamariki and mokopuna. A lecturer and Programme Director at Auckland University of Technology (AUT), Jenni’s teaching is grounded in the principles of te ao Māori, weaving these values into every aspect of learning. Her research explores the identity journeys of Māori adoptees and the importance of reconnecting with whakapapa — a kaupapa that continues to shape her mahi. Jenni’s dedication extends far beyond academia. She contributes to community and education through roles such as serving on the Matua Advisory Group for the Ministry for Pacific Peoples, and has previously served on numerous Auckland school boards. A former Trustee and Chair of Hine Kahukura, she remains deeply committed to supporting opportunities for wāhine in education and in life. Guided by the whakatauākī “Mā te kahukura, ka rere te manu” — through empowerment, women can soar — Jenni’s leadership embodies the strength and wellbeing of whānau, for tamariki and mokopuna across Aotearoa.
Amanda Earl
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Our History
Our organisation exists because of the hard work of many dedicated, skilled, and accomplished people over the past 30+ years. Read about our challenges and achievements in our history pages.
Dame Catherine Tizard, Awardee Roslynne Lovell, and Valerie Rhodes at the first award ceremony.
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Our Moko Kauae
The moko kauae is traditionally acquired by women on the basis of their mana, established through their whakapapa. To receive such design is an honour to the wearer, their iwi, hapu and whanau. It is a connection to our ancestors in knowing where we come from and allows a directive path of where we are going. As a right of Māori women to wear such design, moko kauae is extremely sacred.
In this context, this design represents the importance of Mana Wahine (prestigious strong women) and the opportunities they embrace. The design shows two faces coming together as one to share and pursue knowledge. This is also represented by the three points depicting Ngā Kete o the Wānanga (the three baskets of knowledge). The Moko Kauae was designed and gifted to New Horizons Trust for Women: Hine Kahukura by the artist Jim Wiki, Te Aupōuri.
In this context, this design represents the importance of Mana Wahine (prestigious strong women) and the opportunities they embrace. The design shows two faces coming together as one to share and pursue knowledge. This is also represented by the three points depicting Ngā Kete o the Wānanga (the three baskets of knowledge). The Moko Kauae was designed and gifted to New Horizons Trust for Women: Hine Kahukura by the artist Jim Wiki, Te Aupōuri.
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