Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew has announced the new appointment of Michael Barnett and the reappointment of Susan Peterson as members of the National Advisory Council on the Employment of Women (NACEW) for terms of three years beginning 1 July 2013.

NACEW provides independent advice to the Minister of Women’s Affairs on matters related to women’s employment.

Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew today launched new research from the Electricity Supply Industry Training Organisation (ESITO) on how to attract and retain more women in their industry.

“This research is a valuable resource to help understand how to recruit and retain more women in the electricity supply industry,” said Mrs Goodhew.

“The ESITO findings are also likely to be relevant for other male-dominated trades.”

Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew is encouraging women in Canterbury to think laterally as they consider the career opportunities the region’s rebuild will provide.

“I believe that there will be many new career opportunities for women in Canterbury, in roles they might not have considered prior to the earthquakes,” says Mrs Goodhew.

Mrs Goodhew today met with a group of employers and other organisations engaged in the rebuild to discuss their views on employment options for the women of Canterbury.

Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew today announced that New Zealand has joined a United States-led international initiative called the Equal Futures Partnership.

“Many women across the world, including in New Zealand, face challenges accessing economic opportunities and participating in political and civic life,” said Mrs Goodhew.

Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew has today presented the inaugural UN Women’s Empowerment Principles Benchmarking for Change Award to Andrew Thorburn and the Bank of New Zealand.

The Benchmarking for Change award recognizes a company for embedding accountability to achieve gender equality through meaningful metrics, indicators, and reporting to track and monitor the inclusion of women at all levels of the company's operations.

Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew has today announced New Zealand’s pledge under the UN Women initiative Commit.

“I am pleased to announce that we have added our voice to those of the 46 other Governments around the world who have promised to take action to end violence against women and girls through Commit,” said Mrs Goodhew.

“This initiative urges Governments to take steps to ensure that women and girls are able to lead violence-free lives.

Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew departs on Sunday on a trip to New York, Washington, DC and Toronto.  From 4-6 March she will attend the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).

“CSW is the principal global policy‑making body dedicated exclusively to gender equality and the advancement of women,” says Mrs Goodhew. 

“Every year representatives of member states and observers gather in New York to evaluate progress on gender equality and identify challenges.

Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew has welcomed the launch of the new Voluntary Code of Practice for Board Recruitment, developed by the 25 Percent Group, which supports improved practices in board recruitment.

“I applaud the Code as a further commitment by the private sector towards increasing the number of women in governance. I especially want to congratulate the six recruitment firms who have already signed up to the Code and I look forward to other firms adopting it over time,” said Mrs Goodhew.

Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew today joined with the Institute of Directors in Auckland to celebrate the successful completion of its 2012 mentoring programme, and welcome a new intake of 27 women for 2013.

“The Institute of Directors is to be congratulated for its persistence and commitment to increasing the number of women on private sector boards,” Mrs Goodhew said.

State Services Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman and Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew welcomed the release of a new survey showing positive progress for women in the public sector.

The State Services Commission has today released its 2012 Human Resources Capability Survey which has recorded in increase in the number of women appointed to senior leadership roles.

“At just over 42 per cent, we now have the highest percentage of women in senior leadership positions since the HRC survey began,” Mrs Goodhew said.

Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew is pleased that the New Zealand Income Survey out today shows the gender pay gap has reached an all-time low.

“The New Zealand Income Survey shows that the gender pay gap has decreased from 9.6 percent to 9.3 percent in the last financial year; the lowest since the NZIS began in 1997,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“The economic independence of women is imperative for a healthy economy and a number of recent economic indicators are showing positive signs in spite of continuing global uncertainty.

Traci Houpapa has been appointed Chair of the National Advisory Council on the Employment of Women (NACEW) and Galia BarHava-Monteith has been appointed Deputy Chair, Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew announced today.

Mrs Goodhew also announced the appointment of Dr Airini and Norah Barlow as new members of NACEW.

Women's Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew hosted a breakfast at Parliament this morning to celebrate Suffrage Day.

“This Suffrage Day let’s reaffirm our commitment to ensuring New Zealand continues to be a world leader in gender equality,” Mrs Goodhew said.

Suffrage Day marks the anniversary of those who pioneered New Zealand women's right to vote in 1893.

Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew was saddened to hear of the passing of Jacqui Te Kani last night.

“Jacqui devoted her life to helping and leading others. She made an incredible contribution across many sectors, to individuals and to communities in New Zealand,” Mrs Goodhew says.

“Jacqui worked tirelessly to make improvements to the lives of women, and especially Māori women. She will be greatly missed.

The United Nations Committee on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) has commended New Zealand for having the fundamentals in place for the continuing advancement of women, Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew says.

Mrs Goodhew presented New Zealand’s progress report at the CEDAW Committee hearing in New York earlier this month. Prepared every four years, this is a ‘report card’ on how well New Zealand women are doing according to international benchmarks.

Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew departs tomorrow on a visit to Washington, DC and New York.  On Wednesday 18 July she will present New Zealand’s seventh report to the United Nations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms Of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

“The CEDAW report, prepared every four years, is a ‘report card’ on how well New Zealand women are doing according to international benchmarks,” says Mrs Goodhew.

The ministerial responsibility and funding for the National Advisory Council on the Employment of Women (NACEW) is being transferred from Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson to Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew, the two Ministers announced today.

“NACEW is an important advocate for women in the workplace. Since its establishment in 1967, the council has had an instrumental role in influencing changes to legislation and policy to recognise and develop women’s employment in New Zealand,” Ms Wilkinson says.