Leadership by women — and specifically by wāhine Māori — is central to Aotearoa New Zealand's social, cultural, and economic wellbeing. Grants supporting women's leadership development recognise that systemic barriers persist, and that investing in diverse leadership creates stronger organisations, communities, and society. This piece covers the funding landscape for women's and wāhine leadership development in New Zealand.
Despite New Zealand's relative progress on gender equality — with women well-represented in senior positions compared to many countries — significant gaps remain:
Philanthropic investment in women's leadership addresses these gaps — building the pipeline of women ready for leadership roles and creating systemic change in how organisations develop and promote women.
Wāhine Māori leadership has distinctive dimensions:
- Tikanga-based leadership within iwi, hapū, and marae settings
- Leadership in kaupapa Māori organisations
- Leadership in mainstream organisations while maintaining cultural identity
- Intergenerational knowledge transfer and mentoring
Many funders specifically support wāhine Māori leadership — recognising both the particular barriers Māori women face and the particular strengths they bring to leadership roles.
Ministry for Women
The Ministry for Women funds research, policy, and some initiatives supporting women's economic advancement and leadership.
Superdiversity Institute / Ethnic Communities
Some funding for migrant women's leadership and economic participation.
Foundation North (Wāhine focus)
Foundation North has invested in women's leadership as part of broader community development — particularly wāhine Māori leadership.
The Tindall Foundation
Tindall has funded women's leadership initiatives alongside broader community development.
Philanthropic trusts with gender equity focus
Several trusts have gender equity as a specific priority:
- Women's voting centenary trusts
- Legacy trusts established to advance women's rights
- Feminist foundations funding women's leadership
Corporate women's leadership programmes
Major corporations fund women's leadership development:
- Leadership programmes for women employees
- Scholarships for women's executive education
- Mentoring and sponsorship programmes
- Board diversity initiatives
Governance and board training
Executive and professional development
Wāhine Māori leadership
Young women's leadership
Community leadership
Women on Boards (New Zealand)
Focused on increasing women's representation on boards — providing board matching, training, and research.
Global Women New Zealand
Network and leadership development for senior women — programmes, mentoring, and advocacy.
Young Women New Zealand
Leadership development for young women across New Zealand.
Te Kāhui Wāhine Toa
Wāhine Māori leadership network and development.
Wāhine in Tech
Technology sector women's leadership and career development.
YWCA Aotearoa
Women's community leadership, employment, and advocacy.
Research on effective women's leadership development identifies:
For organisations seeking grants to deliver leadership programmes:
- Demonstrate evidence basis for your approach
- Show genuine co-design with the women you're serving
- Articulate outcomes beyond participation numbers — what changes for women?
- Show sustainability beyond grant funding
For individuals seeking scholarships or fellowships:
- Most individual women's leadership scholarships are managed through tertiary institutions, professional associations, and programme providers rather than through direct grant applications
- Seek out your relevant sector's scholarship landscape
Tahua's grants management platform supports funders investing in women's leadership development — with programme tracking, participant outcome monitoring, cohort management, and the tools that help women's leadership funders demonstrate the impact of their investment in developing diverse leadership across Aotearoa.