Every year on 8 March, International Women’s Day (IWD) invites us to reflect on progress toward gender equality and to take meaningful action. For 2026, the global campaign theme “Give to Gain” highlights a powerful truth: When we lift others, we rise together.
The “Give to Gain” message encourages mentorship, knowledge sharing, support, visibility, and resources. It reframes progress as multiplication of opportunity rather than sacrifice. When individuals and organisations give intentionally, more women have access to leadership pathways, financial wellbeing, and safe, equitable spaces to thrive.
FSC’s Empower Women’s team have curated a selected list of International Women Day 2026 events that are open to all to join over the coming weeks.
Auckland
- Global Women: Give to Gain Event, 5 March: A nationwide streamed event focused on real stories of giving, shared leadership, and practical actions for gender equity. Find out more and register.
- AMS Women’s Day Celebration, 6 March: A community celebration hosted by Auckland Malayali Samajam. Find out more and register.
- IWD Lunch: Power, Performance and Potential, 6 March: A luncheon dedicated to celebrating achievement and inspiring women’s leadership potential. Find out more and register.
- Infrastructure NZ 2026 International Women's Day Lunch: Rights. Justice. Action, 6 March: Find out more and register.
- Institute of Directors: Give to Gain Luncheon, 10 March: A governance focused event exploring how shared opportunity strengthens leadership and organisational progress. Find out more and register.
- Give to Gain: Women & Wealth, 12 March: Simplicity Office Takapuna. Contact to find out more.
Wellington
- Parliamentary Reception, UN Women Aotearoa NZ, 5 March: A flagship International Women’s Day gathering at Parliament featuring keynote speakers, panel discussions, and conversations on leadership and collective action. Find out more and register.
- Zonta Parliamentary Breakfast, 5 March: A morning gathering bringing leaders and advocates together in recognition of International Women’s Day, with keynote Minster for Women, Hon Nicola Grigg. Find out more and register.
- Women in Financial Advice: Celebrating International Women's Day, 10 March: Financial Advice New Zealand is running an open discussion to celebrating women’s day and take action on women’s financial wellbeing asking, "What’s something we can do right now that would immediately benefit women?" Find out more and register.
- NZ Tech Rally IWD 2026, Wāhine Shaping Tech Communities, 11 March: Find out more and register.
Christchurch and Canterbury
- Zonta Christchurch Combined Event, 2 March: A regional gathering celebrating women’s advancement and community collaboration. Last chance to get tickets, Supported by Forsyth Barrr. Event closed.
- Eliot Sinclair: Give to Gain, 4 March: A Christchurch-based event aligned with the International Women’s Day 2026 Give to Gain theme. Find out more and register.
Nationwide and online
- Give to Gain: Financial Wellbeing Insights from Women, for Women 4 March: Free webinar from enable.me and AMP with enable.me Chief Marketing Officer and panel chair Karla Byrnes, and financial commentators Frances Cook, Katie Wesney, and Xin Yin. Join live or register for the recording. Find out more and register.
- Tech Women and Westpac: Give to Gain, 9 March: Held in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and online. This event focuses on sharing practical knowledge on financial wellbeing and cybersecurity to build a more empowered tech community. Find out more and register.
- Simplicity Podcast - Money Made Simple: The gender gap: Why are men retiring so much richer than women? Find out more and listen.
Don’t forget to register to attend the FSC Empower Women supported Hi Money! Money Money Money book launch on 17 March in Auckland and the following days in Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown.
Find out more about this year’s International Women’s Day theme Give to Gain.
