What better way to start your working week than with a breakfast at The Boat House at The Riverhead and the opportunity to hear from some inspiring, change-making and determined women making a positive difference in our world?

We are delighted to have Hon Priyanca Radhakrishnan, Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, Minister for Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities, Minister for Youth and Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment as one of our speakers.

The Minister has spent her work life advocating on behalf of people whose voices are often unheard – survivors of domestic violence, and migrant workers who have been exploited.

Other speakers include Waratah Taogaga(Ngāti Whatua), teacher and cultural advisor at Helensville Primary School and fierce advocate for helping our Māori tamariki succeed.

"My Māori culture has been my backbone in life," says Waratah, "I grew up in a mainstream school, lost in a system that didn’t support my learning style – but I was surrounded by many incredible teachers in my whānau and iwi. I became a teacher to make a difference for our Māori tamariki in mainstream school settings – I want them to succeed and reach their potential in all areas of school. "

Other speakers and performers are to be confirmed.

This event is proudly hosted by Kindred Family Services, the social service agency serving northwest Auckland and South Kaipara. We nurture hope and healing by providing a range of services, from counselling, family support, youth work, food packs through the Kai Collective Te Awaroa, a women's refuge safe house and support and advocacy for men and women on their journey away from family violence.

Please take time to learn more about Kindred Family Services by watching the short video below.

We invite people to join us this International Women's Day to celebrate the stories that are shaping our community into a place where everyone has the opportunity to live in safety and with hope and the knowledge that they do not have to go through this world alone.

A huge thanks to our friends Paula and Stephen and their wonderful team at The Riverhead for offering their beautiful venue for this event.

In the event COVID forces us to cancel the breakfast you will be issued with a refund.