Grow you.
Grow leadership.Grow community.Grow whenua.Grow Aotearoa.

When we grow, so does our whānau, whenua, community, and impact.

AWDT builds your skills, courage, and connections to lead with purpose, anywhere. We’re growing leadership, transforming New Zealand’s food and fibre sector.

It starts with you.

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Growing wāhine leadership

At the heart of AWDT is the fundamental belief that when women lead, industries and communities thrive. AWDT’s transformative learning programmes, connected communities and dynamic partnerships grow the leadership and influence of wāhine across Aotearoa. Together we are shifting mindsets, unlocking potential, and building new capability in the food and fibre sector.

Our story

Current programmes

Power Up

Leading for optimal performance

A one-day development programme focused on leading for optimal performance building self-awareness, navigating challenging conversations, and understanding the employment frameworks that support clear, fair, and confident leadership.

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It’s all about YOU

Foundational leadership

A two-day development programme for women to explore values, strengths, goals and experiences. Break away from routine, reconnect with yourself and explore new possibilities for positive change in your life.

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Next Level

Leadership Programme

A six-month leadership programme for women. Break through barriers to find courage, develop a leaders mindset, build your ability to influence and connect with like-minded women.

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Escalator

Leadership Programme

A 10-month programme combining best-in-class leadership, governance, and personal development with practical application — featuring blended learning, executive coaching, and inspiration from established leaders.

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Success stories

Realising a vision

“You don’t have to have it all figured out; just taking the first step can take you forward in a new direction.”

Wendy Coup

Understanding how your potential benefits others

“First Steps not only gave me a new awareness of my skills, but permission to start my own personal journey as a respected industry professional.”

Cathy Cotter

Life-changing new pathway

“The move north was a catalyst for reinventing myself as I’d been away from Northland for so long I didn’t know many people.”

Eloise Neeley

Course identifies leadership strength

“I’d had a successful career prior to leaving my job after the birth of my second child and had become a bit lost and disillusioned that I’d lost my identity.”

Emma Hammond

Blogs / 20th May, 2026

Greer’s story: Learning to stand in the room

Fifteen-year-old Greer Brader joined Girls who Grow with a simple “I’ll give it a go. ”That decision led her from Foxton Beach to presenting a water sustainability concept to industry leaders. Through the programme, Greer has grown her confidence, creativity and belief in what she is capable of.

AWDT reflects on impact as it enters final phase

After 16 years supporting wāhine across rural Aotearoa, AWDT has entered its final phase. While the Trust in its current form will begin winding down over the next 12 months, the impact of the work, the capability built, and the strength of the network will continue through the women, communities and organisations carrying it forward.

You don’t always see the moment everything changes

Sam’s story is one of courage, hard work and steady rebuilding. From a young woman in Manchester who loved horses, to building a life and career in New Zealand, she has kept moving forward one step at a time. Today, Sam brings that lived experience into her leadership — with a deep commitment to people, horses, welfare and making the industry stronger.

From safety net to strategic partner

Insurance has always been an important safeguard: there when you need it and traditionally focused on responding after something has gone wrong. While necessary, it has become increasingly evident that this is no longer sufficient. Climate risk is intensifying with more frequency of floods, droughts, storms and increasingly uncertain seasons. And farmers are asking deeper questions about the future of their businesses, their families’ security, and their place in the food and fibre system of Aotearoa.

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Grow you.
Grow leadership.Grow community.Grow whenua.Grow Aotearoa.

Growing wāhine leadership