Business > Women in Employment and Business

• New Zealand resources and contacts
• International contacts and resources
• Library resources

New Zealand resources and contacts

Organisations

• BNI
  A business and professional networking organisation that allows only one person from each profession to join any chapter.
• Business Mentors NZ
  If you employ less than 25 people and your business is more than 12 months old, you are eligible for a business mentor.
• Dress For Success
  Provides interview suits, confidence boosts and career development to more than 30,000 women in over 70 cities internationally each year. Dress for Success is a not-for-profit organization which helps low-income women make tailored transitions into the workforce. They are always looking for women interested in helping in a variety of ways including repairing garments and fundraising.
• Department of Labour, Pay and Employment Equity Unit
• Her Business Networks
  The networks have existed throughout New Zealand for over ten years. Her Business Group is the national sponsor, coordinator and administer of the Her Business Networks and maintains the philosophy of the original Wise Women Networks in providing opportunities for women who are seriously interested in self employment to get together, and to encourage and learn from one another through regular meetings. There is an annual subscription fee which entitles you to a variety of discounts and services.
• Homebizbuzz
  Winner of the Best Small Business Web Site in New Zealand at the 2002 NetGuide Web Awards, this site provides a vast array of useful information to anyone starting out in business, as well as existing businesses, including a free newsletter.
• Māori Business Facilitation Service
  This is a free business development service for Māori interested in starting up a business or wanting to improve an existing business. The service is for commercial opportunities only, and targets small to medium-sized businesses. It operates from the Te Puni Kokiri and Māori Trust Office regional offices.
• Māori Women's Development Inc
  MWDI was formed in 1987 with the assistance of Ministerial action and the goodwill of the National Council for Māori Women's Welfare League Inc to meet business, employment and financial demands. They provide loans of up to $20,000 to help Māori women start or expand businesses It aims to encourage Māori women and men into business as well as building a network of Māori in business.
• National Advisory Council on the Employment of Women (NACEW)
  This site is aimed at women you are considering become self-employed business owners. It includes a number of case studies, as well as links to relevant papers.
• New Zealand Centre for Women and leadership
  An initiative of Massey University with a mission to promote leadership opportunities for women through education, research, consultancy and community activity.
• New Zealand Federation of Business & Professional Women Inc
  BPW NZ promotes equity for all women in the workplace through advocacy, education and information, and has 31 branches throughout New Zealand.
• Rainbow Wellington
  Business and Professionals Association (previously GAP) - based in the Capital City of Wellington, Rainbow Wellington is the largest professional network for gays and lesbians in Australasia - now with over 400 businesses on board! You'll be able to share your skills and services and establish new business opportunities and a whole new network.
• Successful speaking
  This local site contains a women's resource page as well as access to No Dead Snakes, a free quarterly email newsletter that provides you with techniques and tips for improved communication.
• Venus Network
  A nationwide business referral community designed for women who are serious about growing their business, their networks and themselves. There is a Wellington network.
• Women on Boards (Min. of Women's Affairs)
  The Nominations Service aims to increase the number of women leaders and decision-makers on state sector governance boards and committees.
• Yourbiz
  This is a great local site developed by business owners for business owners. Free registration.

Research papers online

• New Zealand Census of Women's Participation (2008)
  A joint production between the Human Rights Commission and the New Zealand Centre for Women & Leadership, the Census is a public benchmarking tool which provides nationwide data on women in leadership and decision-making positions in private and crown companies, business, law, politics and the top rungs of academic life.
• workINSIGHT Pathways for Women (Department of Labour)
  This is part of a work-insight series published by the Department of Labour and looks at the pathways women take through education, training and work.
• Review of flexible working arrangements in New Zealand workplaces / Department of Labour (2011)

International contacts and resources

• Catalyst
  Catalyst is a non-profit organization working to advance women in business and the professions. This research organization has systematically tracked women's progress in the workplace and publishes this information on the web site.
• Using talent management to support inclusion
  Catalyst report- Are we attracting the women we need to? Are we retaining them? Are we growing them? We need to make sure that women are in the right roles, with the right level of responsibilities, and have the right mentors and support, especially in the talent management reviews and career management discussions.
• Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2010
• Navigating Organizational Cultures: A Guide For Diverse Women and Their Managers
• Digital-women
  This site provides an international online community for women who run their own business, business women, and all women generally. Although the financial information provided is mostly relevant to America, there are also lots of free business resources and tools. These include links to articles covering a wide range of business topics.
• Dotcomdivas.net
  This is a supportive, open forum for women Internet entrepreneurs. Benefit from the knowledge, resources, and information shared by members! Membership is FREE as well as access to their newsletter.
• Catalyst 2011 report Women on Boards
• Women in Technology: Maximizing Talent, Minimizing Barriers / authors: Heather Foust-Cummings, Laura Sabattini, Nancy Carter.
  Another recent Catalyst report which looks at women in the field of technology, and their perceptions of how they are faring in the industry.
• WomanOwned
  Tools and resources for businesswomen, including business plans, start up information, funding resources, and other tools.

Library resources

(Make sure to first check Small Business Page with links and resources.)

Magazines

Her magazine.
A New Zealand bi-monthly publication which features positive articles relating to women in business including success stories and personal growth topics. (found Central Library 1st floor north). Indexed on INNZ.

Articles freely available online

Kiwi women succeed in the UK
Author: Fenwick, Mary
Source: New Zealand listener (Online), 17 Dec 2011; v231 n.3736:
Abstract: The article looks at how NZ businesswomen are faring in Britain Highlights the NZ Business Women's Network NZBWN), founded by London-based Kiwi Bronwen Horton.

A place at the tepu
Author: Kaa, Jasmine
Source: Tu mai, Feb/Mar 2010; n.109:sup.pp 20-23
Abstract: Looks at the experience and contribution which Maori women have made in boardrooms.

Articles available via our online magazines

The articles below which have links are from the EBSCO database, part of mygateway.info and can be accessed fulltext online. If you have not accessed Ebsco within the last thirty days, you need to login here first.

Changing companies' minds about women
Author: Barsh, Joanna & Yee, Lareina
Source: McKinsey Quarterly, 2011, Issue 4:pp 48-59.
Abstract: The article looks at the importance of career development for women executives, and corporate culture and the importance of senior leadership acting to help address the status of women.

Girl Power
Authors: McCluskey, Christine
Source: EContent; Nov2011, pp 24-26
Abstract: The article discusses how best women can utilise online social networking so that it benefits their businesses.

Women, work and Web 2.0: a case study New Technology, Work and Employment Women, work and Web 2.0
Author: Bury, Rhiannon
Source: New Technology, Work & Employment; Nov2010, Vol. 25 Issue 3, pp 223-237
Abstract: Discusses the masculine culture of the IT world and the difficulties facing women technology professionals.

Creating female-friendly' organizations
Authors: Galbraith, Sasha
Source: Financial Executive; Apr2010, Vol. 26 Issue 3, pp45-47.
Abstract: Looks at the attributes of women-friendly organizations, and lists the top ten.

Women in Management: Delusions of Progress
Authors: Carter, Nancy M & Silva, Christine
Source: Harvard Business Review; Mar2010, 88 Issue 3, pp 19-21
Abstract: The article discusses the difficulties women face within the corporate culture and the differences in career advancement between women and men which was highlighted in an Ernst & Young study.

'Persuade everyone you meet that you are talented. Have a little bit of arrogance in yourself'
Authors: Prince, Kate
Source: Management Today; Jul/Aug2010, p41
Abstract: This British article interviews a number of 35 years and under women who are entrepreneurs.

Passionate in pink
Author: Baker, Glenn
Source: NZ Business; May2010, Vol. 24 no 4, pp12-13
Abstract : The article looks at how Phoenix Renata has built her cosmetics business Phoenix Cosmetics up over the last 5 years.

Books

Last updated February 2012