What you might have missed: Key conversations around the financial wellbeing of women in Aotearoa

As social and economic pressures mount in Aotearoa, the Empower Women Working Group has curated a series of recent reports and initiatives reveal the cracks - but also the opportunities - in our collective journey toward greater inclusion and cohesion.

News and upcoming events:

1. Confident and in control: you and your money - 27 May

Come along to the FSC Empower Women event for Wellington Women in Insurance, to hear about all things women and money with Sophie Van Zijl on Wednesday 27 May from 5-.6.30pm at the FMG offices at the PwC Centre on Level 1/100 Waterloo Quay.

RSVP to Claire Wilde claire.wilde@fmg.co.nz by Tuesday 20 May.

2.  Fraying Ties: The Helen Clark Foundation's Wake-Up Call

• Pride vs. Proximity: While 8 in 10 feel a sense of national belonging, only half feel the same about their own neighbourhood.
• Food Insecurity: 1 in 4 Kiwis are going without meals due to financial hardship.
• Gendered Safety Gaps: Only 45% of women feel safe walking alone at night, compared to 71% of men.
• Discrimination and Disconnection: 1 in 5 Kiwis experienced discrimination in the past year, with Māori, Pasifika, and Asian communities facing it more frequently. Only 1 in 3 of us are connected to a community group.

These findings suggest that while national identity remains strong, local connections and lived equity are lacking — calling for renewed grassroots focus and systemic change.

Read the report here: Social Cohesion in New Zealand 2024

3. Coalition to End Women's Homelessness panel discussion - 26 May

This year’s International Women’s Day theme, 'Accelerate Action,' highlights the ongoing need for change. To keep the conversation alive, the Coalition to End Women’s Homelessness is hosting a thought-provoking discussion on the intersections of women’s health, housing, and retirement.

Featuring Sharon Shea, Helen Robinson, Dr. Jo Gamble, and facilitator Amanda Kelly, the event will explore key topics, from financial well-being and women’s life journeys to reclaiming a mana wāhine narrative within the context of te Tiriti, as well as insights from the Coalition’s report Ngā Ara ki te Kāinga, addressing barriers and solutions to women’s homelessness in Aotearoa.

In-person tickets have sold out, but get free tickets to the online stream here.

Empower Women hosted the the Coalition to Ends Women's Homelessness in March, where Project Director Victoria Crockford shared sobering findings into women's financial and shelter instability. See photos from the event here.

4. Elevating Advice: A Sector Steps Up

Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission and Financial Advice New Zealand have teamed up to promote the value of professional financial advice. Their collaborative strategy aims to raise public awareness and trust in advisers, positioning them as key allies in improving Kiwis’ long-term financial wellbeing as part of the National Strategy for Financial Capability work.

More here: Good Returns article and National Strategy for Financial Capability

5. Closing the Pay Gap: The Roadshow Hits the Road

Manatū Wāhine Ministry for Women is actively equipping businesses with tools to tackle the gender pay gap through its Gender Pay Gap Toolkit Roadshows. With sessions already delivered across Timaru and Nelson, and the next one set for Christchurch on 9 May, the initiative is helping organisations take practical, data-driven action.

Stay informed via LinkedIn or their event listings.