Te Kura ākonga Aya Khallaf and India Bertram were up bright and early to attend the 2026 International Women’s Day Parliamentary Breakfast, hosted by the Zonta Club of Wellington and the Hon Nicola Grigg, Minister for Women. They were joined by secondary kaiako Sarah Feltham and Te Kura Chief Executive Te Rina Leonard, who all came together to honour this year’s kaupapa.
Celebrating remarkable women who shape our communities
Photo: Sarah Feltham, Aya Khallaf, India Bertram and Te Rina Leonard
This year’s breakfast centred on the theme Recognise the Remarkable – The Unseen Force, a call to acknowledge the quiet giants whose contributions hold up communities, industries and whānau, often without visibility or thanks.
The event featured a powerful line‑up of speakers. Hon Nicola Grigg opened the morning, followed by Diana Minnée, founder of Ask Astro; Theresa Setefano, Black Fern and Rugby Sevens representative; and Emma Lewisham, co‑founder of the globally recognised skincare brand. Guiding the kōrero with warmth and clarity was MC Latayvia Tautai, well known for her advocacy for Pacific youth and under‑served communities.
Reflecting on the morning, secondary kaiako Sarah Feltham said what stood out most was how each speaker, despite walking very different paths, shared the same messages.
“What struck me was how diverse their backstories were, yet how many threads they had in common. The power of being authentic, having a growth mindset, and reframing obstacles as opportunities,these themes wove through every story. Once you push through adversity, you reach the next level and that’s where success awaits.”
The morning served as a reminder of the remarkable women who shape our communities, workplaces and the futures of our ākonga, often quietly, but always with impact. For those who want to revisit the kōrero or experience it for the first time, the full recording is available:
Watch the livestream
There’s an exciting opportunity emerging for Te Kura ākonga, with founders Sarah Barclay and Robin Ritchie exploring mentoring options designed to uplift and inspire rangatahi. The idea is still very much in its infancy, but it’s already gathering interest and has the potential to grow into something valuable for rangatahi in the future.