Pānui – Sharing Our Stories – December 2024

Governor’s message

Kia ora koutou katoa. Hello everyone.

I’ve been a little busy since the last newsletter and want to thank those of you who have already heard my news and sent your congratulations. In late November I married Garry in a low-key wedding in Paekakariki on the Kapiti Coast, north of Wellington.

We were thrilled to host family and friends at a local community hall. With everyone’s help, and some fantastic and hard working members of my club, we did everything ourselves. It was great fun and exactly what we’d planned.

A big thank-you for the donations to the Zonta Foundation for Women and the other very practical gifts. Very much in line with our biennium them: sustainability, spirit and speaking up for human rights.

What I’ve been doing

Garry and I had a week away after the wedding, which coincided with the start of Zonta Says No. With time to relax and unwind, I spent a lot of time on Facebook and Instagram reading about all the fantastic Zonta Says No events and activities this year.

Congratulations to all clubs. Your initiatives are engaging, en pointe and thought provoking. In particular the collaboration with Vast billboards by past Area 3 Director Anna Arps and Zonta Says No District Chair Phillippa Elliot has provided extraordinary coverage throughout the country. It also demonstrates the power of working with people, businesses and organisations who support our mission.

I also want to highlight another collaboration, between Zonta Club of Tauranga and their long-term partner Tautoko Mai Sexual Harm Support. Their campaign involved 16 high-profile people making a short video for Instagram about their commitment to the 16 Days of Activism. These people included a local councillor, sports people, therapists, musicians, actors, students, broadcasters and our very own Woman of the 2022 – 2024 Biennium Lady Tureiti Moxon.

Lady Moxon’s video

Part one of videos

Part two of videos

The other thing I’ve done in the last few days is spent time watching the presentations from the Zonta Says No Summit. This was a virtual summit held on 10 December. I’ve been watching the presentations as I’m able to and have really valued the opportunity to hear from a broad range of presenters.

There’s so much that’s available to us through Zonta International. It’s worth taking the time to watch when you’re able to.

Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women 2024 Virtual Summit – Join us in saying NO

Take a moment to think of the projects you’ve supported, people you’ve helped and changes you’ve made. 

Have a safe and relaxing Christmas day, holiday if you’re having one and New Year.