Pānui – Zontians on the Move – August 2026

My Dear Zontians

It has been a great start to the Biennium. Standing on the stage in Vancouver when Jen passed the Kākahu over to me was an emotional moment. I felt the journeys of the past District 16 Governors and felt so proud to be leading Zonta in New Zealand for the next Biennium.

Joining this group of women who have worked tirelessly to fulfil Zonta’s mission is an honour. Thank you for your trust in me. I will work for and with you, alongside a board, a wonderful group of dedicated Zontians.

Continuing Zonta’s mission of Building a Better World for Women and Girls is even more important today. We have to continue working to maintain and grow Women’s rights. Every one of us together in our clubs can and has made a difference. Educating women and girls through Zonta’s International Projects, through scholarships and awards, empowers women to stand up with courage and conviction and to have a voice to make change.

Every one of us is one of these women; we can make change in ourselves. With greater knowledge of Zonta’s mission, we are empowered to step up in our clubs and in our communities, taking action through advocacy and service.

Continue with your wonderful Zonta Spirit. I wish you all well.

Nga mihi nui, Governor Marie

Zonta’s 67th Convention was a great time for fellowship, learning and fun. A chance to have your say for the future of Zonta’s mission and Zonta’s blueprint for the future. You will find the results of the voting on the Zonta International website.

The Zonta Foundation for Women Development Chair presented a great result for the 24-26 Biennium. We exceeded our goal. This ensures the ongoing support and funding for the Zonta Foundation, Zonta’s International projects, awards & scholarships.

Congratulations to you all for your contributions.

Thank you to all of the members who attended the District 16 Changeover Dinner. Past District Governor Jen & I were thrilled to receive your support and your commitment.

A highlight of the evening was when Past District Governor Jen placed the Kakahu over my shoulders. A symbol of leadership and respect for our people and the environment. It is an honour to carry this Kakahu forward on a new journey.

Our guest speakers were impactful and thought-provoking.

Tiffany Ilott, the Zonta International STEM Awardee, is currently studying for her PHD in Endometriosis cancer. Her research presentation gave us a clear picture of the impact and importance of her studies.

Jax Hamilton was an engaging speaker. She truly demonstrated how life’s experiences can be turned into valuable lessons that can lead us to a richer life for ourselves and for others.

I was so proud of the team from Christchurch South and Christchurch – Canterbury who assisted me in putting this event together. I am so grateful to you all. Your Zonta Spirit and kindness really showed.

THANK YOU

I am pleased to announce our District project – Ovarian Cancer Foundation New Zealand.

I attended an Area meeting in Whakatane where Dr Alicia Didsbury was talking and was astounded to find out that 85% of women diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer are at their third stage.

Such an important cause for the lives of many women. I look forward to seeing how our clubs can make a difference.

Congratulations to Oamaru, Hatea Whangarei & Dunedin Clubs who will be working collaboratively on this project.
Thank you for your kindness and Zonta Spirit.

What is Ovarian Cancer?

It is one of the least survivable and complex cancer types.

In NZ, fewer than 50% of women and girls diagnosed with ovarian cancer will survive more than 5 years – a figure unchanged for decades.

The World Ovarian Cancer Coalition estimated that if more is not done for research, there will be an 81% increase in ovarian cancer deaths in our region by 2050.

Tēna koutou katoa

A warm welcome from your Zonta D16 membership committee for 2026-2028.

If you have listened to Simon Sinek’s TED Talk “What is Your Why?”, you will know he explores the concept of “Why” is to inspire people to do the things that inspire them so that, collectively, each of us can change our world for the better. It almost sounds as though he could be a Zontian.

Often, we ask the “WHY” question as an icebreaker for a club meeting, but I wonder if you have ever asked the “HOW” question.

• How did you find out about Zonta?
• How did you feel at the first Zonta event you attended?
• How were you encouraged to join?
• How do you introduce potential members to Zonta?
• How do we find out why members stay and why members leave?
  

There are plenty of choices for those who want to build a better world for women and girls. It is vital to our organisation that Zonta is the organisation of choice.
In our Zonta International Strategic Plan Goals and Strategies 2023 -2030, Goal Number 1.0 sees Zonta as being a Credible and Visible voice.

“HOW” as clubs and members do we ensure that we intentionally plan opportunities where we are credible and visible? What do you have in your club calendar that is showcasing this goal?

As the membership committee, we would like the contact details of the membership chair from each club so that we can also correspond directly around membership initiatives and share best practice. We will be able to work alongside you as you unpack your “HOW”.

We realise that we have prospective members in areas where Zonta does not have a presence, and we appreciate that some members step out of attending regular club meetings due to a change in circumstances. Some clubs have allowed these members to be temporary hybrid members, joining club meetings online.

For others, though, being a regular member of a club, enjoying the fun with a purpose, supporting others, and advocating for those who cannot, is more of a physical challenge. We are delighted that during the previous biennium it was agreed by ZI for D16 to be able to charter a D16 EClub, a great answer to our “HOW” can I be involved.

We are looking for potential members. You may have former club members who have moved away from an area where a club is physically meeting, or you may have former members whose circumstances have changed, meaning that getting to meetings is no longer possible, but they still want to be connected to the Zonta Spirit. If you have their contact details, please pass them on to me: ltgovernord16@zonta.org.nz, and we can look at “HOW” they can reconnect.

Warm regards to you all,
Fiona Green

Congratulations!!

Club Projects – Please Note:

Young Women in Leadership 2026 

Aroa Atkinson (Mana  Wellington)

D16 awardee and Zonta International Winner

Aroa is a champion equestrian, front person of the band Distill, had a lead role in her school musical, was Head of her School, and Youth Council Chair for Kapiti District. She was selected to appear on a Korean reality TV Show.

The four Christchurch Zonta clubs in Area 3 pooled resources in early 2026 for a 30min two-weekly radio show devoted completely to Zonta – our work, our ethic, our beliefs, our advocacy, our service.

“We thought it might be difficult to fill 26 programmes with Zonta information, but it hasn’t at all,” says Jocelyn Johnstone, Zontian, programme director and journalist who is spearheading the novel enterprise. “It’s a way of bringing our news, and our messages to a much wider audience.”

Marie Kyle-Stevenson, ZI’s Governor of District 16 says the programme is also featuring knowledgeable guests, experts in their fields.

“We’ve had climate change experts, and dragon boat enthusiasts; we’ve had young new professionals who have just joined Zonta, to others with years of experience.”

They say it all adds up to an amazingly rich tapestry which showcases “who we are and what we’re doing in society.”

Not only does the programme run every second Wednesday at 11am, but it is obtainable on podcasts, so those who miss hearing a session can easily catch up. Plains Media, which broadcasts the programme, operates through ARA, the Christchurch polytechnic, and it broadcasts on 96.9FM.

“The Plains staff record the programmes in their studios and have been brilliant advising us how to format our sessions.  We’ve picked up the idea and run with it.
It’s been exhilarating to be able to feature our service activities, such as making breast cushions in club settings and in the Golden Z environments, and to be able to tell people about the disproportionate effect climate change events have on women throughout the world,” says Marie.

“We’ve spoken about Zonta scholarships and awards,” says Jocelyn. “We’ve applauded young women making a difference in Z Clubs in high schools. It’s been overwhelmingly positive and we very much hope our message is getting more widely spread.”

Everyone who comes on the programmes, whether a Zontian or not, is positive about women’s rights and making a difference for women and girls.

This global United Nations observance highlights girls’ rights, challenges gender inequality, and promotes the empowerment and education of adolescent girls worldwide.

The official theme in 2026 is “Girls’ Vision for the Future”, celebrating the bold ideas young women have for a better world. It also demands that adults listen to girls and give them the tools to lead.

The theme encourages the global community to focus on:

• Amplifying voices: 
  Making sure girls have a seat at the table when making big decisions.

• Better education: 
  Ensuring all girls have access to quality learning, even in difficult or crisis settings.

• Investing in resources: 
  Providing the safety and support girls need to turn their dreams into reality.

Zonta dedicates the day to promoting girls’ human rights, fighting harmful stereotypes, and demanding equal access to education, health care, and opportunities.

Around the world, approximately 122 million girls are denied access to education. They often face unsafe conditions, unequal opportunities, and harmful stereotypes that limit their potential.
Zonta International uses this day to: 

• Advocate for girls’ rights: 
  Call for policies that protect young women.

• Share stories
  of young women who are leading change in their  communities.
• End child marriage: 
  Support global programmes that protect girls from forced or early marriage.

• 24^th September Remarkable Women Powerful Stories
• 24th October United Nations Day
• 1st November Give Back Grant information from Zonta International
• 25th November International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
• 25th November-10th December 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women
  
  Check out upcoming events on the  Zonta International Website: https://zonta.org/Web/Web/News_Events

Visit the Zonta D16 Website for updates
https://zonta.org.nz/

Visit the Zonta D16 Facebook page LIKE & SHARE
https://www.facebook.com/ZontaDistrict16

Newsletter Editor
Sonia Faulkner sonia.faulkner257@gmail.com

Applications for Scholarships and Awards OPENING SOON