We represent and support women in the Forestry Sector of New Zealand.
Wahine in Forestry is a professional development group that combines women enrolled in the New Zealand School of Forestry and working in the forest sector of New Zealand to further connections, mentoring and skills for women entering the forestry workforce and within their careers.
Wāhine in forestry represents a dynamic and inclusive collective dedicated to supporting women in the forestry sector of New Zealand.
We are a growing community of wāhine from various areas of the forestry sector, coming together to exchange personal and professional insights, learn from experts, network, provide support, and celebrate our contribution to the industry.
This group was started by the Canterbury West Coast Wood Council in response to requests from female students for more links into the forestry sector, and considering the low number of female employees working in forestry. Currently women only account for 18% of our sector workforce!
To encourage & empower women to succeed in the forestry industry.
Our mission is to create a thriving community that supports, connects, and advocates for wāhine in forestry through initiatives that promote gender equality, professional development, and networking opportunities.
The attraction and retention of women in forestry is a critical topic that we need to address.
When using the term ‘women’ in relation to this group, the term includes all those who identify as a women.
Forestry students and Wāhine in Forestry, this one’s for you!
Come along to our Workforce Skills Evening and learn about CVs, mentoring opportunities, interviews, contracts and more!
Plus pizza, drinks, networking, and honest advice from women who’ve been there before.
That`s a wrap! A huge thank you to everyone who attended conference this year. We appreciate you all. It was a valuable couple of days and we would like to thank our sponsors Te Uru Rakau | New Zealand Forest Service, PF Olsens, and Prime Forest Management.
If you`d like to see any more of our 2026 conference photos then please head to our website.
LUAU 🌺
After a huge day of learning during day two of our conference...this was needed! It was so good to eat some delicious food, have a laugh, and be together. This is what it’s all about.
Conference Panel Discussion - How`s that for a line up?!
We were so thrilled to host a cross sector panel at conference and would like to thank Allie King @dairykingsnz (@dairywomensnetwork ), @liarnawhite (@womeninhort ), @nicky_grandorge (@nzwinegrowers & @womeninwinenz , Clare Baxter (@womeningeothermal_nz ), and our very own @ericakinder1
We enjoyed learning from your careers, and found it so interesting how each of your sector groups support women.
Conference Day 3
Wrapping up the conference with a leadership session from Maria McKenzie, followed by a keynote from Phil Taylor (Managing Director of Port Blakely),was just the right way to end. Thank you to Phil for his thoughtful presentation, A wider perspective on NZ Forestry, reflecting on progress, leadership, and the future direction of the sector, with a focus on gender diversity.
As the students from the @nzschoolofforestry headed back to university, the working wāhine stayed on. It created space for more in-depth discussion, with a stronger focus on industry realities and personal leadership growth.
We finished with a whiteboard debrief session, sharing ideas and shaping what’s next for Wāhine in Forestry. The energy in the room was strong, and...we`re only just getting started.
Conference Day 2
Day two was jam packed with learning and robust discussion with workshops from Maria McKenzie, Dr Denise Quinlan, and a panel of women representing the wine, geothermal, dairy, and horticulture sectors. Not only that, but we finished with a networking hour and then a Luau conference dinner.
You`ll notice there`s not many of the Luau, but that can have a separate post.
Conference highlights are finally here!
Let`s start with Sunday Funday. We tackled the high ropes at Adrenalin Forest before finishing the day with a quiz night and BBQ. Exploring the stunning Spencer Beach and connecting with each other was a real treat and we cant wait to share the rest of our highlights with you.
In our happy place for International Women’s Day…the forest! We challenged ourselves at @adrenalinforestnz to start our Wāhine in Forestry Conference before having a bbq and quiz. More photos and videos to come!
Thank you to our amazing photographer @nina.mcmillin.photography for these beautiful shots 😍
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