Te Rama
be prepared for new adventure
GirlGuiding New Zealand Magazine
Autumn 2009, Issue 1
www.girlguidingnz.org.nz
Statement of Purpose
We enable girls and young women to reach their full potential
and make a difference in the world.
Our Vision
A dynamic values based organisation, valued by girls, leaders
and the community, continually strengthened through:
• Investing in quality leadership and quality
girl-centred programmes
• Effectively utilising all our available resources (knowledge,
people and finances)
• Building partnerships with diverse communities and being
responsive to changing needs.
Our Values
inside...
GirlGuiding New Zealand will incorporate these values and
attributes in its policies, processes, investments, operations and
decision making:
2.
From the National President and
Chief Executive ...
• Valuing and empowering girls
• Honesty and reliability
• A culture of friendliness and ambitious fun
• Connecting and working co-operatively with others and
the community
• Responsible and accountable behaviour
3.
Te Rama Subscriptions
5. 6. 8. 9. Send to: Freepost no. 1790,
10.
• Respect and service to others
• Wise use of resources
• Accepting and providing challenges and learning from them
• Caring for the environment
• Cultural inclusiveness and understanding our global
connections.
GirlGuiding New Zealand,
4.
Meeting The Princess
Dog Safety and our Girls
Mountain Safety Award Winner
Ruth Herrick Scholarship for Rangers
The Walsh Memorial Scout Flying School
Celebrating 100 Years
Nickelodeon and The Mighty B
Guide Biscuits and Good Deeds
Te Ropu Tamariki Gives Way
to the Times
PO Box 13-143, Armagh Street, Christchurch.
$10 per year – New Zealand
$20 per year – International
2
www.girlguidingnz.org.nz
GirlGuiding New Zealand I National Office I 217 Armagh Street
Erin Wood and Emily Osborne can’t wait to get selling!
11.
14.
Annette Gledhill and Raewyn Miller love what they do.
Every Girl Welcome
22.
The Glass Ceiling
GirlGuiding NZ is keen that its girls and
leaders continue to reflect the country’s
changing multi-cultural society.
Does the glass ceiling really exist? Does Guiding add value to your CV?
26.
Growing and Giving
Practical community action sustained for 18 years in suburban Auckland.
28.
Together we can Make a Difference!
Focus on the Outdoors
Will you be “more disappointed by the
things that you didn’t do than by the
ones you did?”
16.
Melford Rangers – 82km Experience
19.
Leading in Action
Prue Fraser, from Te Anau, has always been up for an adventure.
The World Organisation of Girl Guides
and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) have
announced a new Global Action Theme.
29.
31.
Working to Change the World
Project GOLD Fiji – in partnership
with GirlGuiding UK, GirlGuiding
NZ is working in Fiji to increase the
awareness of Guiding and motivate
girls to participate.
Inside back cover
Guiding Things To Do
A Voice for Children
Promoting the interests and rights of
children are essential elements of the
work done by both Guiding and UNICEF.
PO Box 13 143 I Christchurch 8141 I New Zealand I Phone: +64 3 366 8409 I Fax: +64 3 366 8413 I [email protected] I www.girlguidingnz.org.nz
Te Rama | Autumn 2009
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...the National
President writes
Kia ora koutou
What an exciting
time to be a member
of our organisation.
2008 was hugely
successful as our
positive promotion
of Guiding at all
levels saw our leader
numbers grow. This
has created a great
platform for growth
in 2009 and beyond.
I would
Jenny Burrow
like to extend a
warm welcome
to all our new members and a special welcome to Ruth Teasdale our new
Chief Executive. Ruth has come to GirlGuiding New Zealand with a strong
background as a chief executive with a special interest in advocacy and
diversity - a great fit for our organisation.
As I write this I am at home recovering from a fractured pelvis. The
support I have received from the Guiding community during my recovery
is a testament to the culture of compassion and kindness Guiding has. This
kindness has ranged from food being left on my doorstep to fellow board
members helping me word this letter to you. Thank you for this.
The 2009 Guide Biscuit campaign is off to a roaring start and it’s
gratifying to see how many former Girl Guides have joined our Girl Guide
Army. I even encountered one during my short stay in hospital. She shared
with me her excitement at being able to help us by selling biscuits.
The National Board has looked closely at our organisational focus and
concluded that we can no longer sustainably fund Te Ropu Tamariki. The
after school clubs programme closed in February. The board would like to
thank Bridget Bliss and her team for their dedication and work supporting the
children that made up Te Ropu.
There is a lot of discussion at present on the global economic downturn.
The current climate means we need to try different approaches and ways to
effectively work together. As always our focus remains on the girls who are
central to our organisation. I heard recently of a girl who due to financial
circumstances had to choose between swimming, ballet and Guiding. She
chose Guiding as that was her favourite activity.
Let’s all make-sure that GirlGuiding is girls first choice of activities in 2009.
Hei kona mai
Jenny
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www.girlguidingnz.org.nz
...from the Chief
Executive
Ruth Teasdale
GirlGuiding New Zealand is part of New Zealand’s national
identity, with a strong reputation as being an organisation that
promotes girls, leadership and fun. It was for these reasons that I
was attracted to the role of Chief Executive when the position was
advertised last year.
I expected to find an organisation that was strongly attached to
its values, positive and forward-thinking. This was so. What I did not
realize (and I don’t think many New Zealanders do) was the scale or
“reach” of GirlGuiding in New Zealand. My family and friends alone
report all sorts of exciting Guiding initiatives in their areas around
the country.
I am very keen to see this “reach” extend further, thus increasing
the diversity of membership (which is a key strategic goal of
Guiding). I relate strongly to this goal as my previous working
life focused on delivering services to people experiencing social
disadvantage. During this time I learnt that positive integration
into “everyday” life is very often the key to people achieving
their potential and that we all as a community benefit when
this happens. GirlGuiding has much to offer ALL girls and their
communities. I am excited to be part of Guiding as we actively strive
to ensure that the development, fun and learning that Guiding offers
is extended to ALL, thus achieving our strategic goal. I look forward
to reporting on our progress in this area in the next Te Rama…
I am very happy to be part of this dynamic and positive
organisation and I am sure that reading this edition of Te Rama will
reinforce your pride in being part of GirlGuiding NZ also.
Ruth
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Dog Safety
and our Girls
Child mauled by family pet!
Meeting the Princess...
In November 2008, Nieka George, a
Ranger with the Kendal Air Rangers,
received a call from National Office asking
her if anyone from the Christchurch City
Council had made contact with her. “No,”
replied Nieka wondering what on earth
she was in for.
Nieka shares with Te Rama what
happened next…
The gist of it was that I was being
invited to represent GirlGuiding New
Zealand and meet Princess Anne during
her visit to Christchurch over Show
Weekend in November.
I was flabbergasted that I was the
one chosen and asked, “Who would’ve
thought I’d get to meet Princess Anne of
all people!” So in response to the question
of whether I’d be willing and available I
replied, “I’ll just check with mum!”
It was a council awards evening at
Mona Vale to recognize unsung heros
in our community. There were 100
representatives of various organisations
from all over Christchurch and we’d been
organised into groups, based on the
organisation we belonged to.
I was the second youngest there.
(Someone from the RSPCA was younger
than me…and low and behold
remembered me from Brownies which was
eight to nine years ago)
It was very nice to meet her, we shook
hands but I didn’t use any of the formalities
we’d been told to when greeting her such
as ‘your Royal Highness’ or ‘ma’am’. It didn’t
seem to fit anywhere, although I was
mentally kicking myself later!
She asked about what I was up to in
Guiding and I replied I was a Ranger, had
finished my Queen’s Guide this year and
was looking to become a leader next year.
She congratulated me, commented on the
need for more leaders, even in England
apparently.
It was an honour to meet her but
a bit strange to be one of the youngest
there. I didn’t know anyone else going
but managed to find someone from my
church who introduced me to many other
wonderful people. Some of the older
representatives were very pleased to see
me and encouraged me to keep up the
good work and enjoy it.
How often have we read similar headlines?
Who can forget the television images from dog
attacks on young children? How can you fit
40 stitches on a five-year-old’s face? Imagine
what it must be like for those children who live
with the memories and the terrible scars. Can
you imagine what it is like for a family whose
child is mauled to death by a dog, especially
the family pet? Can anything be done to
prevent such attacks?
Stories with happy endings: Preventing pet
dog attacks on children* is the title of a 2008
report by Jennifer Carter and co-author Dr
David Swain who identified a lack of education
for parents and caregivers about dog safety and
the urgent need for information and resources
that were accessible to the public.
Using the research, Jennifer developed
reliable guidelines for safe interaction between
children and pet dogs in a range of ageappropriate educational resources. These are
the resources that GirlGuiding New Zealand will
make available for Pippin and Brownie units
this year. There is a leaflet for five-six year olds,
a booklet for approximately eight-nine year olds
and a parents/caregivers’ booklet which
will be ideal for leaders to use.
Pippins will learn from the
brightly coloured pamphlet
which includes how to be a
statue and seeing how many
bones they can find. A booklet
targeting Brownies includes good
advice such as “don’t run up and try to pat
or hug the dog” and “never pat a dog on the
head”. They will be encouraged to discuss what
they have learnt with an adult, so Dog Safety
could be a hot topic at Brownies!
A badge syllabus has been developed and
the resources are available on the GirlGuiding
New Zealand website or from Zone offices.
*Funded by the Child Accident Prevention
Foundation of New Zealand Summer Research
Scholarship programme at the University
of Waikato.
Te Rama | Autumn 2009
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Darryl Carpenter, Chief Executive,
New Zealand. Mountain Safety Council
congratulates Angela Anderson,
inaugural award winner.
“I have been a member of Guiding
since I was a child, and as an adult,
it is my desire to give back to an
organisation that gave me so
many opportunities.”
Angela Anderson: Inaugural
Mountain Safety Award Winner
At the peak of her role in GirlGuiding New
Zealand (NZ), Angela Anderson was the
inaugural recipient of the Mountain Safety
Council Outdoor Excellence Volunteer
Award 2008.
This award recognises the Mountain
Safety Council’s acknowledgement of the
significant contribution volunteers across
New Zealand make to society in enabling
people to enjoy the outdoors safely.
“I feel very privileged to have received
this for my work with GirlGuiding NZ,”
says Angela.
“I have been a member of Guiding
since I was a child, and as an adult,
it is my desire to give back to an
organisation that gave me so many
opportunities. This has fuelled my
energy and enthusiasm to provide
these opportunities and more for
today’s girls.
I feel lucky to have
been mentored, and
supported, by my fellow
leaders and GirlGuiding
NZ’s resources.
“Other leaders’ commitment and the
girls’ energy have ensured my continued
commitment to the outdoors section of our
What can a Ranger do with a
Ruth Herrick Scholarship?
Heaps, if you’re the winner of the
annual $1000 scholarship, funded by the
GirlGuiding New Zealand Foundation.
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www.girlguidingnz.org.nz
Every year, a Ranger or Ranger in Leadership
(RIL), who holds the Peak Award, has the
opportunity to win up to $1000 to enable her to
attend an event or course which will extend her
experiences or horizons. It may be a Guide event
or other event in New Zealand or overseas.
Past recipients have used the award to help
fund training and development courses such
as Outward Bound and international camps are
programme,” says Angela, “therefore this
award also belongs to them.”
“Angela typifies this sentiment and
we wish to express our thanks to her by
presenting this inaugural Mountain Safety
Council Outdoor Excellence Volunteer Award
recognising her contribution to GirlGuiding
NZ and to her community,” says Darryl
Carpenter, Chief Executive, New Zealand
Mountain Safety Council.
“We are very proud of Angela and the
contribution she has made as a Guide Leader
and Regional Outdoor Co-ordinator for the
North Shore District,” says Jenny Burrow,
National President, GirlGuiding NZ.
Jenny Burrow says “2008 was our
centenary year and to celebrate this Angela,
along with other local leaders and girls,
walked the length of East Coast Bays.”
Angela loves being a part of GirlGuiding
NZ because it continues to offer its
programme to girls only and is unique. She
says “I believe in its endeavour to encourage
girls in such a wide range of activities. We
promote leadership and being prepared
for new adventure. A great deal of our
programme will continue to take place in
the outdoors, teaching leadership skills, and
seeking challenging adventures.”
particularly popular events. The 2008 recipient,
Elizabeth Martin of Kendal Air Rangers, is
using the scholarship to fund a ten day Youth
Development Spirit of Adventure voyage.
Ruth Herrick was an amazing woman with
a “can do” attitude. During World War II she
took leave from her role as Chief Commissioner
of New Zealand Girl Guides and carried out a
vital and demanding wartime task, setting
up and becoming the first Director of the
New Zealand Women’s Royal Naval Service.
In today’s terms, she would be a top career
woman – she did what needed doing with
determination and dedication!
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The Walsh Memorial Scout Flying School
Would you like to learn to fly an aeroplane?
Have you ever thought of a career in aviation?
Every year Rangers from
GirlGuiding New Zealand with
a particular interest
in aviation have the
opportunity to attend the
Walsh Memorial Scout Flying
School. This year, Emily
Dinsdale, a Ranger with
Onslow Rangers, attended
in January 2009 and
picked up two awards
with prizes to the value
of $750 for extra flying
training.
“I found the whole
experience amazing and
thought the course was
really well balanced,” says
Emily. “Flying solo was
definitely the highlight
and when I pushed on
the throttle… it was very
exciting, just amazing!”
Emily intends to
return to the Walsh
Flying School next year
and having won the
awards, she now has the
opportunity to increase her
flying hours in the
mean time.
“During my time at the flying school, I met
some wonderful people and made some good
friends. I would recommend it to anyone,” she says.
Emily was awarded the Phil Le Couteur
Trust Award of Flying for displaying a positive
attitude to flight safety and the New Zealand
Association of Women in Aviation Award.
In a two week intensive aviation training
experience, at Matamata in the Waikato,
the school gives students eight hours flying,
including flying solo, briefings in the theory of
flight, air traffic control, aviation engineering,
rescue fire, meteorology and heaps of fun.
Many past students have pursued an
aviation career and are now airline pilots flying
for major airlines around the world; air force jet
or helicopter pilots; or
members of one of the
“Flying solo was definitely
many aviation trades
the highlight and when I
such as meteorology,
rescue fire service,
pushed on the throttle…
aviation engineering or
air traffic control.
it was very exciting,
In 2009, thanks to
just amazing!”
the generosity of Rotary
and the scholarships
they provided, six Rangers attended for the first
time. There were also two other Rangers and a
Leader returning for a second time. And they
all found it to be a great learning experience.
From its small beginnings, in 1967, to now
its 43rd year, the Walsh Memorial Scout Flying
School has trained well over 1300 potential
Aviation Industry employees.
The course is intensive and covers essential
aspects of aviation from time in the seat to
theory lectures and operational functions.
If you have an interest in flying and you are a Ranger, 16 years of age or over (as at 20 January 2010)
and are able to pass a medical examination with a Civil Aviation Authority designated doctor, then you
are eligible to attend as a first year student. Please go to our website to find out more:
www.girlguidingnz.org.nz
Te Rama | Autumn 2009
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Celebrating100 Years
1908-2008
They say one should never look back, only forward, but it was with
pride that GirlGuidingNZ reflected on its past 100 years in 2008 as it
celebrated not only its centenary year, but its commitment to being a
viable option for future generations of girls in New Zealand.
There was something for everyone during the year with girls,
leaders and past members celebrating throughout the country. The
year got underway with a centenary jamboree for girls culminating in
a rock concert.
Local areas got right behind the festivities celebrating with train
rides, discos, gala dinners, community action projects, 100 activity
challenges, picnics, camps, fun days and of course birthday cakes
and candles.
Full of memories and anecdotes,
Ambitious Fun chronicles GirlGuiding’s
journey over the last 100 years.
Copies are available to order through
GirlGuiding NZ, and their Mail Order service
www.girlguidingnz.org.nz/shop
or call 03 366 8409.
Leaders gathered in Auckland for a weekend to re-acquaint and
update themselves on the work the organisation
will be focusing on in its next century.
Guide songwriter/singer Sarah Gamman
entertained during the year with her winning centenary
song Together.
Food, either the eating or cooking of it is always a firm favourite
with girls and Flaming Food, a national cookout, was a popular
activity as regionally girls fine tuned their organisational,
flaming food
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5
cooking and food presentation skills,
culminating in a national cook off in
Wellington in November.
The 100 year journey of GirlGuiding in New Zealand was
colourfully recorded in Carol Dawber’s book Ambitious Fun. And so the
journey continues …
Te Rama | Autumn 2009
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Nickelodeon and The Mighty B
Amy Poehler, the voice of
Bessie Higgenbottom and
co-developer of The Mighty B.
Nickelodeon has launched a new cartoon
show, for girls especially, all about Bessie
Higginbottom, a nine year old Honeybee
American Girl Scout, in other words, a Brownie!
Bessie is ambitious and on a mission to earn
more badges than any other “Honeybee” in
history. She’s only got 4,583 to go and she
won’t stop until she gets there!
GirlGuiding NZ assisted with the
promotion of the programme by supplying
Guide Biscuits for press packs sent to media
around the country. And we are told these
went down a treat.
Nickelodeon have also assisted us with
our recruitment campaign for new leaders by
showing our television commercial over two
weeks, split between Nickelodeon and MTV.
They promote Guiding on their website and
have provided us with some great prizes for
competitions.
Te Rama spoke to Amy Poehler who not
only is the voice of Bessie Higgenbottom
but who also developed the concept, along
with co-writer Erik Wiese of SpongeBob
SquarePants fame.
What do you see as the key issues facing
girls and young woman of today and how
are these issues addressed in The Mighty B?
“It can be hard to be a girl today, and
we wanted to make a funny show that didn’t
involve the lead character being obsessed
with boys or mean to her friends. Bessie isn’t
interested in gossip or how people look. What
makes Bessie happy is being a true original
and marching to the beat of her own drum,
working with others and reaching her goals.”
How many young people have watched
this show in the USA/worldwide?
Since its debut, The Mighty B! has
attracted on average 3.1 million total viewers
and since its release in New Zealand, the series
has succeeded in winning strong loyalty and
good ratings with Kiwi audiences.
What sort of feedback has there been?
“I think kids everywhere can relate to
someone like Bessie. She represents that fighting spirit that is in each and every one of us. The
show is sweet, funny and beautifully drawn.”
What is the best part about being the voice of
one of the world’s most famous Girl Scouts?
“She is a delight to do. I am truly in love
with Bessie. She is feisty and optimistic. She is
a giant ball of energy and gets to say what is
really on her mind. Plus, everytime I get to do
her funny voice, I cover the microphone with
spit. So that’s always fun.”
It’s a great storyline for GirlGuiding NZ – we
know the girls will love it and just as many
adults enjoyed it when they saw some of the
initial pilot shows. It screens on a Wednesday at
4.30pm on Nickelodeon.
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Good deeds are
better when you
can eat them...
Guides Bridie, Tia, Lucy and Georgina
from the Takapuna/Devonport district,
are helping us to sell biscuits this year.
GirlGuiding New Zealand’s annual fundraiser is the very popular
Guide biscuit and this year’s fundraiser started on March 7.
They’re a dunkers dream, a nibbler’s delight and they’ve been around
for 52 years. Now, more than five decades later Guide biscuits are a timehonoured and eagerly awaited Kiwi tradition.
Guide biscuit sales make up more than 45 percent of GirlGuiding
NZ’s income and directly support Guiding activities in your area and
across the country.
“Funds raised are used in communities where the biscuits are
sold” says Ruth Teasdale, Chief Executive, GirlGuiding NZ. “This
enables us to continue to provide activities which give girls the
chance to discover new interests, experience challenges, appreciate
their communities and make lasting friendships which will help
them develop healthy lifestyle choices as they mature,” she said.
On a national level, the funds are used to support the work
done locally through programme
development, subsidised training for girls,
They’re a dunkers dream, a
leader support and the development and provision of
resources.
nibbler’s delight and they’ve been
We have been proudly supported in our sales efforts
by businesses and organisations across the country,
around for 52 years. Now, more
especially including The Mad Butcher group of stores at
than five decades later Guide
locations nationwide and Allied Farmers in Taranaki and
the King Country.
biscuits are a time-honoured and
This year we have recruited an “army” of former
Guides who have helped tremendously by selling Guide
eagerly awaited Kiwi tradition.
biscuits to their colleagues, workmates, friends and
family. They are doing an awesome job. Over 200 have
stepped up to enlist!
Griffin’s Ltd have supported Guiding in our advertising and promotion and our
advertising materials feature Guides from the Takapuna/Devonport District with Lucy
Bayliss and Georgina Dowd from Hauraki Guides and Bridie Dixon and Tia Conley from
Devonport Guides. Mel Wallace, District Co-ordinator for Takapuna/Devonport District,
North Shore Region and Guide Leader has been very supportive.
And of course, none of this would happen without the great work of leaders,
volunteers, girls, mums and dads, Trefoil Guild …the list is endless.
Between 1 and 1.7 million packets of biscuits, made to our recipe by the major
biscuit manufacturer, Griffin’s Ltd are sold annually. The iconic biscuit comes in three
varieties plain, ‘choc’ and mini chocs, which have been a big hit.
Buying Guide biscuits supports girls today – our women and leaders of the future!
For more information about Guide Biscuits check out
www.girlguidingnz.org.nz
Te Rama | Autumn 2009
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Te Ropu Tamariki – gives way to the times
GirlGuiding New Zealand recently announced that the
after school clubs programme, Te Ropu Tamariki, has
been disestablished nationally due to a lack of ongoing
funding. It was a very difficult decision to end this
valuable community outreach project.
GirlGuiding NZ has operated Te Ropu Tamariki after school
clubs since 1996. The programme was offered to children at
schools in lower socio-economic areas in Auckland, Wellington
and Christchurch and was responsible for providing a positive
influence in the lives of many young girls and boys.
In 2008, more than 450 children attended clubs at their
local schools. Auckland and Manukau girls and boys had the
opportunity to attend 12 clubs, there were six clubs in the
Porirua area and Christchurch offered another 12 clubs. Each
club had an average 20 participants.
With separate clubs for boys and girls, the children
thrived in the safe - and fun - environment and enjoyed the
opportunity to explore health, family and community issues.
They learnt a variety of life and social skills that they could
take with them into the future.
Support for Te Ropu Tamariki from schools, volunteers,
staff, funders, community organisations and businesses was
outstanding and GirlGuiding NZ is very grateful for the many
contributions made.
We owe an especially big thank you to Bridget Bliss,
National Co-ordinator, Rachel Warren, Liliola Sakalia, and the
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team of workers and volunteers who
made a difference to many of these
girls and boys.
Our energies will continue to
be directed into the operation and
growth of our very strong national
Guiding programme for girls aged
from five to eighteen years old.
We are actively extending
the opportunity to girls who have participated in the Te Ropu
Tamariki programme to join Guiding and experience the fun
and enjoyment of Guiding for themselves,“ says Jenny Burrow,
National President, GirlGuiding NZ. In fact, the Auckland
Supervisor joined Guiding straight away as a volunteer leader in
the Manukau area.
Guiding has internal funding opportunities available for
those girls who will not be able to join a local unit for a number
of reasons, including cost. GirlGuiding NZ’s own Foundation may
be able to help with funding for fees while other funding may be
available for uniform and material requirements.
We were very proud of what we did and how these children
came away with more confidence and a strong foundation for
their decision-making. They could also take their new skills back
to their own families and everyone benefitted.
The children were absorbing and learning and having fun at
the same time. They also took this new confidence back into the
classroom with them.
And this is what GirlGuiding NZ is all about!.
Learning self defence
Learning self defence at Te Ropu Tamariki came in handy for a girl
from Bamford School in Christchurch when a man tried to lure her
into his car.
Using her recently attained self defence skills, the man ran away
and her grateful mother rang GirlGuiding New Zealand to thank them.
“Self defence is just one way to increase these children’s self
esteem and confidence,” says Bridget Bliss, Te Ropu Tamariki, former
National Co-ordinator at GirlGuiding New Zealand.
GirlGuiding New Zealand is keen that its girls and leaders continue to reflect the
country’s changing multi-cultural society…
every girl welcome
Every girl is welcome at GirlGuiding New Zealand.
“As an international organisation we embrace and
encourage girls to join us from all religions, races, backgrounds
and beliefs,” says Mary Dawson, who recently left GirlGuiding’s
National Board after six years. She will continue in an international consultancy role
with the organisation and continue to encourage diversity.
Mary has spent many years involved with Guiding and was part of a team running a
multicultural mixed aged unit in Otara.
Apart from being a Guide leader and trainer she has always been interested in what was
happening overseas.
This interest led to her current role as Executive Director of Auckland Refugee Migrant Services
(ARMS) in Auckland, which was set up in 2002 to provide specialist settlement and support for
immigrants and refugees.
“I wanted my career to focus on international and diversity issues without having to move
away from New Zealand.”
ARMS is a multi-faceted government organisation which provides a range of settlement
services including advocacy, information, advice and support.
“Listening to people’s stories about why they came to New Zealand and the upheaval they
have been through is a fascinating aspect of my job,” she says.
The United Kingdom is the main source of immigrants at the moment but this changes
depending what is happening overseas. Reasons for immigrating to New Zealand range from
providing a better education for their children to lifestyle choices and the chance to live in a
country free from political interference.
ARMS practices what it preaches by employing a diverse range of ethnicities to carry
out its services. Most of the clients are in New Zealand on temporary work or study permits
and often stay with friends or family while they make the decision whether to move here
permanently. It is then that Mary’s organisation steps in to help
them through the process.
“Settlement is a huge undertaking, particularly with issues
surrounding
government departments, tax laws and other processes,
he goal of GirlGuiding New Zealand is to have
and with English as a second language it can be especially difficult.”
20 percent of their girls identify as other than New Zealand
Mary particularly enjoys working with a range of stakeholders
European by 2011. In the most recent survey taken in November last
including community organisations and government departments
year, 7% identified themselves as Maori, Asian and Pacific Islanders.
and it is these connections that bring wealth of knowledge and
Of the 12,108 girls, 8347 (68.94%) were New Zealand European.
expertise to GirlGuiding NZ.
New Zealand’s cultural diversity reflects a higher level of ethnic
“Mary’s work with ethnic communities is inspiring. Her extensive
backgrounds with 15% of girls aged 5 to 18-years-old are Maori, 9%
experience will open doors to us so we can reach as many culturallyAsian and 7% are Pacific Islanders. The European proportion is 68%.
based organisations and community group as we can,” says Cath Ford,
Leaders’ ethnicity shows a similar pattern with 2030 of the
Recruitment and Retention Manager.
2285 active leaders (88.84%) identifying themselves as New
Current membership of GirlGuiding NZ is of European
Zealand European. Of all the leaders 66 (2.89%) were Maori, 23
heritage with 69 per cent of our 12,000 girl members
Asian (1.01%) and nine (.39%) were Pacific Islanders.
identifying as European. An even larger majority of leaders
(88%) are European. 12
T
Te Rama | Autumn 2009
11
GirlGuiding NZ is keen that its girls and
leaders continue to reflect the country’s
changing multi-cultural society.
As a founding member of the Human
Rights Commission’s New Zealand Diversity
Action Programme, Guiding is being
proactive in encouraging diversity within
its membership.
“We are proud of what we’ve achieved
and are keen to encourage New Zealand’s
many different communities to value
Guiding even more,” says Mary.
Encouraging Asian women and girls
to become involved in GirlGuiding NZ is
the aim of the Manukau Diversity Project
by establishing partners within the ethnic
community as a way to increase diversity
and encourage membership from
different cultures.
From May this year it is hoped to
extend the programme from Manukau City
to Howick/Pakuranga and Dannemora.
The New Zealand Federation of Ethnic
Councils is a strong supporter of the
Manukau Diversity Project and has been
seeking partners to help women in ethnic
communities into leadership roles, says
Cath Ford, Recruitment and Retention
Manager.
“They are really keen to work with
GirlGuiding NZ and the pilot programme for
the Manukau Diversity Project,” Cath says.
While girls are increasingly growing
up in a multi-cultural society, encouraging
girls from different cultures and ethnicities
to be part of Guiding may not be simple.
“There will be barriers that need to be
addressed along the way but we must do
everything we can to accommodate any
girl who wants to become a member,”
says Mary.
“We need to continue to be
proactive and show we are keen to
learn how to be of value to their
communities - whether it’s providing
leadership courses for young women,
holiday programmes, an introduction
to the outdoors or running camps for
families to introduce them to typical
activities of New Zealand
families,” she says.
Middle East families, says
Mary, could find a natural appeal
in Guiding with its single sex
membership. Young women from
11
Amina Daud (in orange) painting at the ARMS Learning Centre
during one of the holiday programmes.
Making a difference every day
Somali Concern is just one of many groups addressing first hand the issues refugees and
migrants face as they arrive in New Zealand.
Headed by Somalian Amina Daud, the society provides advocacy, support and counselling to
the community and promotes sports, education, arts and cultural programmes.
“We teach the basic tools necessary so our clients will integrate successfully into New Zealand
society. Our holiday programmes are for both parents and children,” says Amina.
GirlGuiding New Zealand’s experience in working with girls and outdoor activities could provide
an opportunity to assist Somali Concern with their holiday programmes, she says.
“We would really appreciate Guiding helping us access local camping sites so we can make this
part of our holiday programmes and to be involved with our organisation as community volunteers.”
Somalia has faced civil war since 1990 and, from her Paris base, Amina was involved in coordinating relief agencies and medical support. She also researched mental health and the affect of
civil war on people’s well-being.
At the Auckland-based Somali Concern, Amina continues her commitment to helping refugees
and migrants with issues resulting from post-war trauma.
“Refugees are vulnerable. They need reassurance
that they are safe and welcome to help them become
integrated and a part of New Zealand society,” she says.
Above: Shadia (left)
and Fartune enjoying
themselves.
At right:
Out and about with
a friend on one of
Somali Concern’s
holiday programmes.
12
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Japan and China could be potential leaders
as they look at ways to integrate with their
local communities.
“These young women come here to be
more independent and valued as women.
They want to be integrated and being a
Guiding leader might be a way for them to
also learn more about New Zealand,”
says Mary.
As a values-based group, GirlGuiding NZ
can provide a range of benefits to both
leaders and girls from different ethnicities
through encouraging friendships and
community involvement, learning life skills
and discovering what it means to be a
New Zealander.
Diversity, however, is not just cultural,
but also encompasses children from different
backgrounds who have special needs
or live in isolated areas.
“The bottom line is that everyone is
welcome at GirlGuiding NZ and we should
do everything we can to accommodate
them,” says Mary.
Lone Guides, for example, provides a
service to girls living in country areas where
there is not a unit nearby.
Excitement surrounding Guiding’s
international involvement was ignited at
an All Leaders Event in Auckland at Labour
Weekend last year, says Mary.
“Our leaders were very excited that,
through Guiding, they have a connection
with what’s happening on the other side
of the world. Potentially we can make an
impact in very real ways, for example,
helping girls and
young women to prevent anaemia or to live
with HIV/AIDS.
“Making a real difference is where I see
the future of our international involvement –
whether it’s in Uganda or Fiji,” says Mary.
Exchanges between leaders is another
way of increasing Guiding’s knowledge and
connections overseas.
Embracing diversity and our
international connections will benefit
GirlGuiding NZ both in the short and longterm, says Mary.
“By encouraging diversity Guiding will
only grow in numbers but also grow
by widening the experiences of our
members and opening their eyes to how
other people live,” says
Mary Dawson.
Photo: Robyn Edie
Grasmere Pippins having fun at their sleepover.
Girl Ethnicity as at November 2008
10000
Ethnicity of Leaders as at November 2008
80%
8347
70%
8000
60%
50%
6000
2500
100%
2030
2000
80%
1500
60%
1000
40%
40%
4000
2295
2000
Number of Leaders
9
82
75
0%
No response
66
Other
0
Pacific Island
% of Girls
0
23
Maori
Korean
0%
20%
500
Indian
Asian
Number of Girls
10%
European
18
20%
Asian
37
No response
6
452
Other
76
Middle East
Chinese
NZ Maori
NZ European
86
Pacific Islander
0
77
Indian
706
30%
% of Leaders
Te Rama | Autumn 2009
13
focus on the
Outdoors
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do
than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. – Mark Twain
In New Zealand we are so lucky to be
only a hop, skip and a jump away from
beaches, rivers, bush and mountains. There
are so many opportunities to get out and
experience these environments and partake
in activities of an adventurous nature.
For years it has been proved that the
outdoors is a great place to learn about
yourself and others. With back to basic
conditions, it allows us to appreciate the
things we may take for granted in the
14
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technological developed world of today.
Unfortunately, it seems quite common now
that children and young people in New
Zealand have never slept in a tent or been to
the beach, yes it’s true!.
The outdoors is an important part of
GirlGuiding NZ, interwoven throughout the
programme for Pippins, Brownies, Guides
and Rangers. Some outdoor activities are
purely physical, while others are more
mentally, emotionally, spiritually or socially
challenging. The variety in environments
engages girls to learn. The outdoors is
a great place to get girls to try activities
experientially, requiring them to use initiative,
judgement and problem solving skills, rather
than being told what to do - all essential
life skills to have. GirlGuiding NZ has been
encouraging girls to camp and participate in
outdoor activities for over one hundred years.
It is even more important now to make sure
girls still have opportunities to try these.
We are working on developing links
with the outdoor community to enable our
girls to continue to have opportunities to
access and experience the outdoors. We
are lucky to have many passionate and
experienced outdoor leaders already. We
encourage others to become qualified or
find someone qualified and get their units
out there.
Young New Zealanders’ Challenge
D u k e o f Ed i n b u r g h A w a r d
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme for 14-25 year olds has
been running worldwide for just over 50 years. The Award
Scheme started in New Zealand in 1963 and today is known
as the Young New Zealanders’ Challenge (YNZC). There are
approximately 18,000 young New Zealanders involved in
“The Challenge”.
GirlGuiding New Zealand’s Ranger programme (for 13-18
year olds) has many components that can be cross-credited to
the YNZC. Our Rangers have the opportunity to work on this
award at the same time. Young Leaders can also do the YNZC, having until the age of 25 to
complete awards.
Many aspects of the YNZC echo what is important to GirlGuiding NZ, which is to enable
girls and young women to reach their potential and make a difference in the world. There
are three levels – Bronze, Silver and Gold, and each is split into five main sections – Skills,
Service, Physical Recreation, Expeditions/Explorations and a Residential Section (Gold only).
Participants have to complete a variety of challenges in each section over a period of time,
ranging from 3 to 18 months.
Through these challenges, it enables young women to set goals and achieve them, learn
responsibility, challenge themselves, have fun, develop self-reliance and awareness, show
perseverance, use initiative and develop friendships.
“The Award Programme is about challenge. It is also about providing the opportunity to
accept a challenge. The Programme offers young people the opportunity to set a personal
goal and achieve it. Along the way, they learn about themselves and about qualities like
responsibility, trust and the ability to plan and organise themselves. There is no competition
between participants. The only people with whom they compete are themselves. Selfmotivation is fundamental to the Award. There is no set standards to achieve. The criteria for
gaining an Award is individual improvement based on each participant’s starting point and
potential. There is no such thing as failure in the Award Programme. Even if an Award is not
attained, just being involved brings new friends, new knowledge and new adventures which
are, above all, enjoyable.” Source: YNZC Handbook
Like Guiding’s Queen’s Guide Award, to complete the YNZC Gold Award shows a huge effort
and commitment which is recognised throughout the world. The Gold Award is presented by
the Governor General at an award ceremony.
Over 100 of our GirlGuiding NZ members are enrolled in the YNZC and are actively out
doing things to work towards it. Michelle Robertson is one example, who is working on her
Gold Award. The following story is of her YNZC Gold Qualifying Expedition on the Heaphy Track.
How to Register in the
Young New Zealanders’
Challenge
Most GirlGuiding NZ regions have a
Young New Zealanders’ Challenge
(YNZC) Co-ordinator. The first step is
to get a Registration Form from them.
It costs $25.00 and you get a record
book. 14 year olds start at Bronze
level, 15 year olds can start at Bronze
or Silver, and 16 year olds can choose
to do all levels or go direct into Gold.
The YNZC Co-ordinator will keep in
touch with you and be able to answer
any questions you have, support you
and check you meet the criteria as you
complete each section of the Award.
Te Rama | Autumn 2009
15
Melford
Rangers
82
km
Experience
16
16
Te Rama | Autumn 2009
www.girlguidingnz.org.nz
The journey started on Good Friday March 21st for our keen group of five Melford
Rangers, Awapuni District. Michelle Robertson, Katrina Offenbach, Nicole Brooke,
Kate McIntosh and Daile Biberstein, all aged 16, had been waiting for this
adventure to begin for over six weeks…
By Michelle Robertson, Melford Rangers, Manawatu Region
Finally, the day had arrived for us to set
off on our final Young New Zealander’s
Challenge Tramp, and possibly the most
memorable of the eight tramps we have
completed together as a group, each of us
gaining experience and “life skills” along
the way.
Waking up on Good Friday and meeting
at 7:30am, we all faced a day of 11 hours
travel by car, ferry, bus, shuttle and foot.
Finally arriving at our first destination of the
adventure after dark, we made the small
Brown Hut our home for the night. This
marked the end of a long day travelling, but
was only the start of the adventure that lay
82km long before us.
Waking up early the next morning, we
hurriedly ate our breakfast, packed our bags
and tightened our boots, then filled in the
time waiting for Robin to get ready by filling
in the intentions book and taking snapshots
around the hut. Once we were all ready, we
eagerly set off up the track, taking in the
new surroundings of the South Island bush,
different to those we had grown used to and
had learnt to love and respect in the North
Island. The track also portrayed obvious
differences to those we had previously
encountered in our earlier expeditions. As a
group, we had grown used to steep, single file,
muddy climbs, the track only distinguished by
orange track markers that our eyes had grown
experts in finding in dense bush. Now we
faced a wide, open, clearly defined track that
gradually inclined as we walked in pairs, side
by side. After several hours of this, we grew
tired of the unchallenging and unchanging
track so, in true Ranger style, we took a look
Nicole, Michelle & Kate look at what some have left behind
at the map and decided to make a “short cut”,
bush bashing up a ridge to make the journey
a bit more interesting. Sadly, it didn’t last long
enough and soon we were back to the same
unchallenging and unchanging track we had
been encountering.
The hut later provided us with the
company of tourists on the track, who we
would later meet at other huts and chat with
casually about anything and everything, 18
Contemplating the journey... from left to right Daile Biberstein, Kate McIntosh, Katrina Offenbach, Nicole Brooke and Michelle Robertson
Te Rama | Autumn 2009
17
We came across two rivers that were easily passable by river crossing even though there
were swing bridges a little upstream for use in flooding. We decided to take the option
of crossing the river, a far more adventurous option for a young team like ourselves.
17 but normally relating to previous
tramping experiences. All the people we
came across in the hut were friendly and
encouraged us to continue to get out into
the outdoors, recommending some of their
favourite trips. Although at first they seemed
surprised to see five teenage girls thoroughly
enjoying themselves out tramping, and
even more surprised to learn it was a regular
occurrence for our group.
The track provided us with the largest
range of scenery we had yet to encounter
in one track. Throughout the four days we
walked through bush, alpine surroundings,
explored limestone caves, followed rivers
and tramped along the beach. The last hut
we stayed at provided a nice swimming
opportunity where the Heaphy River joined
the Tasman Sea.
The 82km flew by over the four days,
although the finishing point was still a
welcome sight for our sore feet and a relief
to get out of the extensive numbers of sand
flies that had constantly been biting us for
the majority of the tramp.
W
Although we had reached the end, we
were still far from home. Our tramp was
followed by a five hour shuttle trip to a
backpackers in Nelson where we stayed briefly
and welcomed a shower, swim and sauna
before packing up the next morning and flying
home to our families and more importantly,
our own bed and mum’s cooking. This tramp
however was made a little more homely by
the flushing toilets found at most of the huts,
something we were all grateful for with so
many people completing the track along with
us and before us.
All in all, the tramp was fantastic and
enjoyed greatly by all members of our group,
and our shadow who was grateful for an
all-expenses-paid-for return visit to the
longest New Zealand great walk. The tramp
was a life-enhancing experience for all of
us and allowed us to grow in experience
and as leaders. The Young New Zealander’s
Challenge has allowed us to grow in
ourselves and deepen our friendships as we
enthusiastically took the opportunity to get
out and enjoy New Zealand bush at its best,
hile on the Heaphy track I enjoyed watching the Weka, a native New Zealand
bird I had never seen before. I thought they looked like an odd bird and always laughed
when I saw them as they resembled a kiwi crossed with a chicken. The smaller Wekas were
very cute as they followed the adult birds closely as if they dared not adventure alone.
I thought the Weka were very cute, interesting to watch and had some amazing
features. They have many predators in the wild as they, like the Kiwi, are land dwelling
birds that can not fly. Never the less there was large numbers of weka on the track for
everyone to watch and enjoy. I hope that in years to come they will still be around for
New Zealander’s and tourists alike to see and enjoy.
18
www.girlguidingnz.org.nz
a side of our country most of our peers are
yet to discover.
We would like to thank our Ranger
leaders who have backed us as we have
journeyed through our time in the Award
and for taking the time to learn alongside us
and Robin for giving up his Easter weekend
to guide five chatty teenage girls through
five long days, a role that most male adults
would find daunting. Though from what
we heard and saw, he thoroughly enjoyed
himself and along the way taught us some
of his skills and shared his stories as we
created a rather different experience for him.
Big thanks must go to Gore-Tex
who awarded us an Adventure Philosophy
Gore-Tex Good For Life Scholarship. This
included $2,000 towards our trip and $660
worth of equipment from Bivouac and
Ampro to help us on our journey. Without
this scholarship, this tramp would have been
extremely hard to finance and we are very
grateful for the help.
We hope that many more young Kiwis
will take the opportunity to get out into
the heart of New Zealand and enjoy the
experience that the bush offers as much as
we have over the last three years through,
Guiding and the Young New Zealanders’
Challenge. We hope to continue to tramp
for our own pleasure and to support our
younger friends and peers in Rangers on
their expeditions.
Hope to see you all in the great outdoors
sometime.
Happy tramping!
leading in
action
Prue and Te Anau Guides at
Lake Marion, Hollyford Valley
kland
At the All Leaders Event in Auc
Whether volunteering at a medical clinic in Vanuatu or auditioning for
television’s Ultimate Challenge, Prue Fraser has always been up for an
adventure. And it is that spirit of taking on new challenges that she brings
to the Guiding movement. Prue’s sense of adventure has also taken her to
Outward Bound, she has been part of the crew on the Spirit of Adventure and
competed in the television show The Krypton Factor.
As a Guide leader she has been able to pass on that sense of
adventure to the Guides and Brownies in Te Anau. “It is the
challenges and life I have lived since being a Guide myself that has
made me who I am. Guiding helped me take on challenges of all
sorts because of the things I learnt as a Guide and Ranger. These
things are the intangible values that I was exposed to during my
years as a Guide and Ranger. I hope those are the same sort of things
that my Guides soak up - the type of adventurous fun that has been
Guiding for 100 years. This is why we go horse riding, river tubing,
raft building, and Milford Track walking.” 20
Balancing act for Prue
Te Rama | Autumn 2009
19
21
a family affair
Prue is District Co-ordinator and a Guide
leader in Te Anau and on the Southland
Management Team for Guiding.
Like many leaders she started her
involvement in Guiding as a young Brownie.
But for Prue, Guiding has also been a
family affair; her mother was a District
Commissioner in Bluff, her sister a Brownie
and Guide, her father was a Cub and Scout
in England, her brothers were Cubs and Sea
Scouts, and now her daughter Tanya is a
Guide and her son Sasha a Scout.
She left Guiding at one stage, however
at a visit to a provincial camp to drop off her
younger sister, she rediscovered the fun and
adventure of Guiding. “The provincial leader
told me there were some older girls at the
camp. So I met them, sat in their tent and
had a lot of fun. I went back the next day
and camped for the rest of the week”. From
that camp she joined the Lone Rangers and
went on to achieve her Queen’s Guide award.
Prue!
saving the unit
When the Te Anau Guiding unit needed
a Leader and District Co-ordinator, Prue
volunteered because she wanted to ensure
that Guiding continued in the area.
“Tanya was about eight at the time and
it was going to shut down because they
couldn’t get anyone to be the Co-ordinator.
20
have lived
since being a Guide myself tha
t has made me who I am.
“
“
It is the challenges and life I
llenges of all sorts because of
Guiding helped me take on cha
and Ranger.
the things I learnt as a Guide
www.girlguidingnz.org.nz
I didn’t want it to close because it is so
worthwhile for the kids and if it closed, we’d
never get it going again. I said, well, I can be
the Co-ordinator, then the Guide Leader left,
so I ended up doing that as well”.
At one stage, Brownies in Te Anau had
dropped down to one girl, three years ago
it had three and now there are 16. “They
started talking about it at school and the
girls at cubs who were getting a bit sick of
the boys, came along to Brownies, had fun
and really enjoyed it.”
In 2008 five Brownies were old enough
to join Guides, so Prue is hoping that Te
Anau Guides will also start growing the way
Brownies has. “The numbers are starting to
pick up so we’ll get there,” says Prue.
Prue?
Having a well deserved rest
southland
adventures
Cooling off in Lake Marion, above the Hollyford Valley.
centennial spirit
Since it began 100 years ago, Prue says
Guiding has encouraged girls to be
independent and adventurous, and today it
still fosters that spirit of independence and
self-reliance.
“It still has a pioneering, adventuring
spirit. One hundred years ago it was pretty
radical for girls to go camping on their own
without men to tell them what to do. These
days you do it all the time and don’t think
anything of it. And it still has that attitude
that girls can do it.”
Recently the Te Anau Guides discovered
first-hand what it was like to be a Guide
100 years ago. They camped out in an old
wool shed with no power, no heating and no
insulation. “We expected power but it had
been knocked out by a snowfall. When the
girls woke up in the morning they said, what
are we going to do, we can’t even watch the
TV, but we were out there playing games
and we had a big fire and cooked damper
and marshmallows. The girls really enjoyed
it. That was the sort of thing I did when I was
a young girl, so it was good seeing the girls
doing the same thing and getting a kick out
of it.”
The girls also recently revived a skill from
the past and learnt to do semaphore as part
of a then and now badge. “The girls really
enjoyed doing something from way back. It
was one of the things they liked best”.
Living in an environment like Te Anau offers
the opportunity to experience some of the
most scenic areas of New Zealand. Prue was
involved in sharing this experience with
Guides and Rangers from throughout New
Zealand, when she and other leaders took a
group across the Milford Track. “It was a big
responsibility but it was a good team
of leaders that went and they’re all keen to
do it again. We might do the Routeburn
Track next.”
For Prue, taking on these new
adventures is what keeps Guiding exciting
for both the girls and the leaders. “It’s really
worthwhile. The girls get to try things that
challenge them. They get to work with girls
they otherwise wouldn’t and they get to
learn about and help other people overseas
and in their community. It gives them a wide
range of opportunities to do things and
to learn”.
Te Rama | Autumn 2009
21
Does the glass ceiling really exist
in this day and age or is it just
a perception?
The Glass Ceiling
What is the glass ceiling any way?
According to Wikipedia, the “ceiling” is referred to as a limitation blocking upward advancement, and “glass” (transparent)
because the limitation is not immediately apparent and is normally an unwritten and unofficial policy.
This invisible barrier continues to exist,
even though there are no explicit obstacles
keeping minorities from acquiring advanced
job positions.
However, this glass ceiling tends to
disadvantage working women the most. This
barrier prevents large numbers of women
from obtaining and securing the powerful,
prestigious and highest-grossing jobs in
the workforce.
For a country where women fought hard
to win the right to vote and lead the world in
equality of women, especially in the workforce,
very few women have made it to the top.
The Human Rights Commission report
released in 2008 found the lockout of
women from company boardrooms is
undermining corporate governance.
22
www.girlguidingnz.org.nz
The report reveals that 60 of the top
100 companies on the New Zealand Stock
Exchange have no women on their boards.
There are only 45 women on the boards
of these top 100 companies and they add
up to only 8.65 percent of the 624 board
directorships available at the time the
“Census of Women’s Participation 2008”
was published.
Dr Judy McGregor, the Equal
Employment Opportunities Commissioner
and author of the report said, “The lockout
of women from corporate governance is
mystifying at a time when corporate social
responsibility and the value of diversity are
popular talking points. Overseas there is
much greater recognition of the business
benefits of women on boards.”
She said corporate New Zealand did
not appear to accept evidence that boards
with women made good business sense
and had fallen well behind Australia,
Great Britain and United States. “The
corporate sector will need a significant
sea change to embrace diversity in
governance as a value that in itself
creates wealth.”
Even in the New Zealand Public
Service, few women hold senior
management positions. This situation is
particularly marked at the Chief Executive
level. This is of specific concern as it’s the
public services that implement policy that
shape the future of our country, of which
more than 50 percent of the population
are female.
Nicola’s Story
Nicola Jenkin is an intelligent, bubbly, ambitious 30 year old. She has been
involved in Guiding as a girl and now as a leader. She is currently a National
Board member with GirlGuiding New Zealand. In her other life, Nicola is a
Senior Policy Adviser at the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology.
Nicola completed a Bachelor of Science (majoring in Ecology and Environmental
Studies) at Victoria University, Wellington, in the mid 1990’s, and has worked
in both the private and public sector since then, mainly on public policy issues.
She started at the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology in a graduate
recruitment type role about seven years ago,worked in a number of different roles
and has moved on to being a senior policy adviser.
Te Rama talked to Nicola about her experience in the workforce and if her
involvement with GirlGuiding NZ has helped with progression in her career.
TE RAMA
How driven do you have to be if you want to move up the career ladder?
I think you do have to be reasonably driven - but I don’t see that it is any
different for being male or female. I think it’s more important to know
how to set your goals and seek help in achieving them. My own progression up
the career ladder has been in ‘small steps’ rather than aiming high and hoping I’ll
get there - the reality is that you have to think about where you want to go and
work out how to get there.
However knowing what the big picture looks like is important. I myself have
stumbled on that one - once I reached the milestone of becoming a senior adviser I
wasn’t sure where I wanted to go from there. Without that kind of goal, your career
can become a bit stale. You also need those goals so that you when an opportunity
comes along, you can test out whether it is something you want to take up.
NICOLA
TE RAMA
NICOLA
Are there obstacles to progressing up the career ladder?
Yes there are, but a lot of them are ones you yourself put in front of you.
If you don’t think you can overcome an obstacle, you most probably
won’t! There are some practical things - like the right opportunity not being
around at the right time, or your employer not having the means available to
provide you with the opportunity you seek. 24
Other ceilings to
break through!
According to Wikipedia these are some of the
other ceilings that can create challenges.
Bamboo ceiling
The exclusion of Asian-New Zealanders from executive
and managerial roles on the basis of subjective factors
such as “lack of leadership potential” or “inferior
communication ability”.
Concrete ceiling
Used to describe the type of barrier minority women
encounter. Caucasian women may face the glass ceiling
in the workforce, but be able to break through it from
time to time; however, minority women’s glass ceiling
tends to be more solid and unyielding.
Expatriate glass ceiling
After breaking through the first level of the glass
ceiling, this is a term used to describe this second level
of obstruction which prevents women in managerial
positions from receiving foreign management
assignments, projects, and experiences that are becoming
increasingly more important for promotion into the
upper-level managerial positions.
Glass elevator (or glass escalator)
Rapid promotion of men over women,
especially into management, in
female-dominated fields such as nursing.
Glass cliff
A situation where someone has been
promoted into a risky, difficult job where
the chances of failure are higher.
Celluloid ceiling
Refers to the small number of women
in top positions in Hollywood.
Sticky floor
Referring to women who are trapped in low-wage, low
mobility jobs in national and local government.
Sticky ladder
A term used to describe women’s struggle to reach the
top of the corporate ladder. Women are not incapable
of reaching the top, they just get “stuck” on the middle
rungs of the ladder.
Source: Wikipedia
Te Rama | Autumn 2009
23
23
TE RAMA
Have you experienced any barriers or obstacles
because you are a woman?
NICOLA
I think I am lucky because I personally haven’t,
and I think that might be because I haven’t got children yet.
Some friends of mine have experienced some obstacles after
their children arrived - managers who didn’t appreciate that
20 hours meant 20 hours - not the 60 they could do before
children, and others again whose employers expected them
to come into meetings on their days off.
I have been offered plenty of opportunities and taken
them, and I believe many of those have been on merit. I’m
also very lucky to work in an organisation that is lead by
a very energetic and inspiring woman who encourages
everyone, both male and female to make the right choices for
their work and personal lives.
TE RAMA
Do you think there is a glass ceiling?
NICOLA
Not as such. I think women have to weigh up
career goals with other lifestyle goals (ie families) and this
means we have to think about when we want to achieve
things. It shouldn’t stop us having both a career and a family,
but at various times one will take precedence over the other.
I think rather than a glass ceiling, there’s probably a ‘long
career ladder’, or at least one with a few platforms along
the way!
How long your career ladder is depends on the choices
you make. One of my career goals is to be well established
(with skills and reputation, experience etc) so that if I do take
time out for family, I will still be an attractive candidate for
part-time work when I do look to re-enter the workforce.
TE RAMA
Do you think women set their sights high enough?
‘feeling’ side than female managers perhaps. I have found the
biggest difference exists with individual personalities though and that is more ‘people skills’ than a difference between men
and women. TE RAMA
NICOLA
There’s lots of things here. The ability to plan
and run events that you gain through Guiding means you get
a good reputation as an organiser in the work place - either
for day to day work or special events. Guiding gives you the
ability to work with a lot of people and to get other people’s
perspective on things. I think it also helps you mentor other
colleagues and gives you the capability to teach them
new skills.
Nicola has been on GirlGuiding NZ’s National Board three
years and says it’s been a challenge and a time of personal
growth and learning.
She says, “looking back I think I am more forthright than
I used to be, and I have an ability to speak out more and be
more articulate. I have been surrounded by and inspired by
all the other women I work with leading regions, Zones and
taking other national positions, and I have then been able to
pass some of that energy onto others. It’s something I felt I
had the skills to contribute to and I’m pleased to say it’s been
a two-way experience.
TE RAMA
NICOLA
I don’t know a woman who hasn’t got some pretty
impressive goals and works to them. Some of my friends
and colleagues have been quite happy to set their sights a
bit lower than others, and they have made choices that they
are happy with as they have the lifestyle they want. I am
surrounded by energetic women both through my Guiding
work and through my occupation.
TE RAMA
NICOLA
Have you had a female boss? Have you found
differences in management style between male
and female managers?
An interesting question! Yes I have had both, and
I have found them different. Some male managers haven’t
worked on goal setting and development the same way that
female managers have. Men approach it more mechanically
and females more organically. I think males have less of a
24
Te Rama | Autumn 2009
Guiding adds real value to your CV and gives
you skills that you may not appreciate you
have. Are you able to give us examples that
are pertinent to you?
NICOLA
As a leader, what’s it like observing the girls
coming up through the ranks? Do you get to
see their potential?
I’ve been a Brownie leader for many years, and
although I am taking a break from a unit right at the moment,
it’s always been fantastic to see shy little seven year olds
become quite confident girls over three years at Brownies. Sometime you even see that in an hour and a half’s meeting! “Through my role on the Board and previously as Youth
Adviser, I have worked with a lot of young leaders and its been
really nice to be able to recommend them for an opportunity or
position that I have seen them grow into over time. “In GirlGuiding NZ we have a wealth of potential sitting out
there in our young leader resource (and not so young leader
resource) and one of my most enjoyable jobs is finding people
who can take on new opportunities. My latest personal Guiding challenge is becoming a trainer
and working with new leaders to Guiding has been really good.
Lee Harris
Marketing Communications
Manager, Canterbury
Development Corporation
Li fe, Work a n d G ui d e s
I’ve always been very proud of the link
between my working life and my early years
as a Girl Guide.
I joined Guides in Mornington, Dunedin
– part of the Cargill Province around 1977 –
with two of my sisters, Michele and Steph. In
later life, all three of us were leaders for Keas,
Cubs or Brownies.
Marjory Boyd was our Captain, assisted
by Lefty Lambert & Lefty Spicer. I ran into
Marjory at the Dunedin City Council 30 years
later and she still remembered me and asked
after my sisters by name!
Although I joined because of the fun and
challenges offered - I still draw on several of
the skills taught back then.
Standing in front of the unit to recite
the Promise and talk about what had
been achieved for badge work, was
excellent confidence-building for public
speaking – something I’ve had to do many
times since in my various journalism and
communications roles.
Lee’s Story
Badge work was all about setting
goals, completing tasks and reporting
back – the mainstay of most modern
jobs. Organising myself and others in
my patrol on various excursions and
through many activities meant I had a
basic understanding of the demands of
leadership from an early age!
On a personal level, learning campfire
songs was excellent preparation for long car
journeys with my own children and various
stints as a performer.
I relate my ongoing passion for getting
into the great New Zealand bush to early
forays in the woods during the big Waiora
Jamboree (around 1977 or ’78?) and
working towards my Explorer’s Badge. The
Jamboree probably also explains my interest
up?
going
in meeting people from all over the world
and my own urges to travel.
I’ve never been that keen on cooking,
but I know there’s a direct correlation
between getting my Hostess Badge and
being able to whip up a batch of scones and
a halfway decent cup of tea!
I’m a whizz at putting up tents, tying
and untying knots and changing fuses; and
I think it’s wonderful that one of my sisters
has a best friend she’s known for about 30
years, thanks to Girl Guides.
Only recently have I thought about the
many skills I picked up from Girl Guides –
they have been instrumental in giving me
confidence and capabilities both at work and
in my personal life. I’m very grateful to have
been part of Guiding.
Women make up 46.1 percent of the country’s labour force.
41.6 percent of lawyers are women; however they make up just 19.34 percent of
partners in law firms.
Just three of the country’s top 50 ranking police officers are women.
54 percent of journalists are women, yet out of the 27 metropolitan, provincial
dailies and Sunday papers, there are only four women editors.
Of the 198 judges, 51 are women.
Women hold 19.19 percent of senior academic positions in New Zealand’s
eight universities.
23 percent of Public Service Chief Executives are women, despite women making
up 59 percent of state sector employees.
One area where New Zealand does out perform other countries is in politics,
with twice as many female parliamentarians - 33 percent with the world average
17.2 percent.
Source: Census of Women’s Participation 2008
Te Rama | Autumn 2009
25
growing&
giving
Hannah wheels the produce off!
…It not only teaches girls
about the basic skills of growing
vegetables…but also teaches
the practical value of being able
to provide something for those
in need.
26
www.girlguidingnz.org.nz
Bridget and Martine are busy washing potatoes.
Practical community action or service
projects can be limited in developed
countries like New Zealand, so for a project
to have been sustained for 18 years in
suburban Auckland, it is somewhat unique.
The Epsom Garden Project started
in 1991 following consultation between
Guide leader Cynthia Landels and a group
of girls, on what it meant to give service to
the community and how they could make a
positive contribution.
The vicar of St Andrew’s Anglican
Church, where the group meets, agreed to let
them garden part of the church property that
was being used for dumping
rubbish at the time. The
Auckland City Mission
was simultaneously
seeking food donations
- and so a partnership
was formed.
“Our project is a
three-way commitment,”
says Cynthia. “We are
committed to providing fresh vegetables
to the Auckland City Mission, helping the
Church tend to their land and helping our
girls understand that service is something
that doesn’t necessarily come easily, but
requires dedication.”
The Rev Clare Barrie, priest-in-charge
of St Andrew’s, believes that the garden is a
great outreach project. “It not only teaches
girls about the basic skills of growing
vegetables, which they can also choose to do
for themselves, but also teaches the practical
value of being able to provide something for
those in need,” she says.
Research shows that for a young adult
to develop well and achieve in life, a sense
of belonging and giving is critical. This is
not only in their family, with their peers and
neighbours, but also in their community.
Service in the community lends itself to
less cynical attitudes and a more balanced
view on life. It also allows people to feel
involved in as well as making and
carrying out decisions.
Sian‘s doing some never ending weeding.
“This project involves
girls in learning and giving,” says Cynthia,
“it is interactive and helps the girls connect
to and help their wider communities, while
at the same time providing an opportunity
for them to relate to each other and get
some first hand gardening skills.”
Girls are rostered to help in the garden
twice a term and such is the understanding
between girls and leaders, that days and
times are adapted to suit the girls’ busy
timetables and other commitments.
Each stint in the garden is followed by
a weekly trip to the Auckland City Mission.
The harvest delivered is dependent on the
season - silver beet, beetroot, radishes, apple
cucumbers, potatoes, courgettes, beans and
rhubarb in the height of the summer with
cabbage, leeks and silver beet in winter.
Sometimes the delivery can be a car boot
load and at others, less.
“Many Auckland children are able to
have fresh vegetables thanks to the efforts
of the girls. Their donation is not only a
donation of food but also of their time
and energy in growing it,” says Auckland
City Missioner, Diane Robertson. “It is a
remarkable achievement to have been
Cynthia Landels and the Rev. Claire Barrie pause for a moment.
producing and donating the
vegetables for such a long time.”
The project has also found
favour in the local community,
with local gardeners and
businesses donating spare
seedlings. Gardening equipment often
destined for the Church fair or fete has also
made its way to the garden shed.
In 1993, the Garden Project won the much
coveted Olave Award, which is presented by
the World Association of Girl Guides & Girl
Scouts, in London, in recognition of a member
organisation making a sustained effort, or
outstanding achievement, in the spirit of service.
This is the only time GirlGuiding New Zealand
has won this award.
Then, in 1998, the group were recipients
of the Commonwealth Youth Service Award
– this award came with recognition in
money which was used to purchase a garden
shed, concrete the floor for it and buy more
seeds. Funds from this award have been well
managed over the past ten years and with
the recent purchase of a water timer, some
money still remains from the original fund
for seed purchase.
While ‘organic’ may be the preferred
choice for growing today, the Epsom Garden
has been organic since it began. This has been
a deliberate choice for the ‘gardeners’ who
prefer to use the companion planting method
as it brings balance to the garden. A large
stand of feverfew stands guard in the corner of
the garden to ward off unwanted ‘bug visitors’.
Involvement in this project is part of the
culture for girls choosing to be part of the
Cavell Guide Unit. It is as natural to them as
going camping and sharing in the fun of the
other programme activities. During the recent
school holidays, girls arrived unasked to tend
to the weeding and harvest.
On speaking with the girls about the
project, Sian Kilgour [11 years] enthused
“I like gardening. We have just started
a vegetable garden at home and it was
because of what I’ve learnt and enjoyed with
the ‘Guide garden.” Martine Puketapu added
“I come to gardening because it’s fun and
helpful to others.”
Cynthia Landels has pondered the future
“I really enjoy my work in the unit with the
girls and the involvement with the garden. I
will continue while we have girls keen to be
part of the adventure and I have the health to
make it the best I can for them.”
“It would be wonderful if the spirit of
giving through service continues after I have
shelved my gumboots.”
The benefits of community action are
great, but making it relevant to young girls
can be a challenge – one that has been
more than met with leaders and girls at the
Cavell Unit Project.
Te Rama | Autumn 2009
27
Together
we can make
a difference!
As members of GirlGuiding New Zealand (NZ), we belong to the largest, voluntary
organisation for girls and young women in the world, the World Association of Girl
Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS).
With more than10 million members in 145 countries and for over 60 years, WAGGGS has had a
strong working relationship with the United Nations (UN) and its agencies such as UNICEF.
WAGGGS encourages not just girls and young women but members of all ages to make a
personal commitment to be aware of and take action to change the world around them. It also
confirms WAGGGS commitment to achieving the most compelling
global agenda of the moment, the Millennium Development Goals.
At the United Nations Millennium Summit in 2000, 191 member
states pledged to meet the Millennium Development Goals to
improve the lives of the poorest people in the world as well as raising
awareness about these issues.
To confirm Guiding’s commitment to work alongside hundreds
of millions of girls and boys, women and men across the world,
There are eight Millennium Development
WAGGGS have announced a new Global Action Theme –
Goals:
Girls worldwide say “together we can change our world”
GirlGuiding NZ has plans underway to take part in the Global
Eradicate extreme poverty and
Action Theme. The curriculum, badge and suggested projects will be
hunger.
launched in April 2009.
New Zealand has been chosen as one of four Global Action
Achieve universal primary
Theme
champions for the Asia-Pacific region alongside Australia,
education.
Pakistan and Thailand. The champions will assist in the development
of resources and showcase what they have done at regional and
Promote gender equality and
world conferences.
empowerment for women.
GirlGuiding NZ encourages its girls and leaders to make a
Reduce child mortality.
personal commitment to change the world around them. They are
encouraged to take action. This can happen at many levels, including
Improve maternal health.
personal development and projects in their local community. They
also have the opportunity to participate in projects nationally and
Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and
around the world.
other diseases.
We are part of a powerful international alliance and with knowledge
we can advocate and act! Together we can make a difference!
Ensure environmental
sustainability.
8 goals...
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8. Develop a global partnership for
development.
28
www.girlguidingnz.org.nz
A
I
aVoice
for
Children
Promoting the interests and rights of children are essential
elements of the work done by both Guiding and UNICEF
(United Nations Children’s Fund).
By working in partnership these two international organisations
can be a potent force for change and help improve the lives of
children and young people in New Zealand and around the world,
says Barbara Lambourn, National Advocacy Manager at UNICEF
New Zealand.
“We have a common vision on the rights of children,” Barbara
says. “We’re both concerned with issues that matter to young
people. We’re both international, credible organisations who
have a strong voice. Working together not only raises the profile
of both organisations but can increase our ability to protect the
rights of children and make a real difference in their lives.”
GirlGuiding New Zealand has been working with UNICEF
since WAGGGS (the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl
Scouts) formed an international alliance with UNICEF in 2003.
UNICEF’s work, both nationally and internationally, is guided by
The United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child. This
convention provides a platform for raising awareness on issues
affecting children in New Zealand and around the world, raising
money for emergencies, especially in the developing world, being
an advocate for children and providing resources for children and
adults to further the aims of the convention.
As part of WAGGGS, GirlGuiding NZ has been involved in joint
projects with UNICEF in the past and is now poised to take an
even more active role in the future.
Part of a Global Community
Guiding’s popularity in many developing countries, such
as Africa and Asia, makes it particularly well placed to achieve
change on an individual level by improving the lives of woman
and children, says Barbara. This in turn has a beneficial effect on
the community as a whole.
Barbara says she became aware of the extent of Guiding’s
reach after talking to the Commissioner for Girl Guiding in Uganda
at last year’s GirlGuiding New Zealand’s leadership conference.
Discovering that there are 172,000 Girl Guides in Uganda came as
a surprise. “Guiding is very popular in the developing world. In
Uganda, girls can study Guiding as part of the school curriculum.
Guiding is huge internationally and playing an important role
in these less developed countries.” 30
ALL HE NEEDS IN THE WORLD
IS FOR YOU TO RAISE A GLASS
Te Rama | Autumn 2009
29
Promoting the
Rights of Girls
29
Guiding and UNICEF, working
in partnership to achieve real
improvements in the lives of girls, was
recently demonstrated in Pakistan
through a programme known as the Girl
Guide Shield Project.
In a country where girls and
Above : Faridah Binte Baharawi of
women traditionally have a low status,
Singapore and Consolata Tumwesigye,
this project aimed to give young women a
Chief Commissioner of Uganda Girl Guides
greater sense of self-esteem, a belief in their
Association, came to New Zealand to
own status and a right to stand up for their
listen, learn and advocate.
own beliefs. Based around six proficiency
badges, the project covered children’s rights,
education, communication, interpersonal skills and team building.
“Guiding’s unique reach made it ideal for projects such as this,” says
Barbara. She says while the main beneficiaries were Girl Guides between the
ages of 11 and 16, the confidence instilled in the girls had a wider application,
benefiting their schools, families and communities.
ALL THEY NEED
IN THE WORLD
IS FOR YOU TO
RAISE A GLASS
A DOLLAR FROM YOU WILL PROVIDE
30 DAYS CLEAN DRINKING WATER FOR A
CHILD THAT NEEDS IT SOMEWHERE ELSE.
Bikes for Ghana
Clean Water - an Essential to Life
New Zealand Guides played a part in the international Guiding / UNICEF
initiative to help the children of Ghana.
Most New Zealand children own a bike and it is not usually seen as
something that can transform lives. But for children in Ghana, a bike can mean
the difference between receiving an education or being unable to attend school.
Children in Ghana often have to travel long distances to attend school,
sometimes over difficult roads. It can often expose them to undesirable men
who prey on these girls and rape them. And for girls, the difficulty of attending
school is compounded because they are often expected to perform household
tasks before leaving for school in the morning. These obstacles mean children,
particularly girls, are unable to attend school.
Approximately 6,000 girls from deprived
communities benefited from the Bikes for Ghana
programme, enabling them to travel the long
distances to school quickly and safely.
Barbara says by raising funds, Guides in New
Zealand and around the world made a difference
in the lives of these girls. “The success of Bikes for
Ghana can be a real blueprint for future projects
between Guiding and UNICEF,” she says.
In New Zealand, clean water is taken for granted but in many countries it is
not always available or is hard to access. UNICEF’s Tap project last year raised
awareness of this problem and helped provide funds for water and sanitation
programmes in Tanzania. The programe is being run again this year and Barbara
says it is an area where GirlGuiding NZ can make a contribution.
About 5,000 children die of water-related diseases every day and lack of
clean water is the second largest killer of children under five. Most girls and
women in developing countries have to walk up to three hours per day to fetch
water. Clean drinking water not only provides protection from disease, it can
mean increasing productivity for a village and freeing up more children to
attend school.
Between 1990 and 2004, UNICEF helped 1.2
billion people worldwide gain access to improved
drinking water. As part of the Tap project, UNICEF will
be working with GirlGuiding New Zealand to develop
ideas and strategies on how girls and leaders can
become involved in this valuable project.
If you want to know more and how to become
involved, you can find out on:
www.tapproject.org.nz
Becoming Involved... As two international organisations committed to protecting the rights of children and working for
the betterment of young people, Barbara says GirlGuiding and UNICEF are well placed for greater co-operation in
the future. “UNICEF is sure that collaborations in the past will lead to a closer partnership in the future. We’re both
involved with matters of concern to young people, particularly with regards to children’s rights.” She says future
initiatives will come as a result of talking with and working with GirlGuiding New Zealand to find areas where girls
and leaders would like to become actively involved in UNICEF projects and programmes.
30
www.girlguidingnz.org.nz
Heather
Ruth
Cendra
Kezia
Hannah
Stephanie
Heidi
Young leaders from New Zealand and the United Kingdom came together for Project GOLD:
L to R: Ruth Ohldag, Heidi Moeller, Kezia Jukes, Heather Roggeveen, Cendra Nolan, Hannah O’Brien and Stephanie Parkes
working to change
the world
The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) is involved
in a variety of projects around the world.
Hannah
p
es at cam
n
Paper pla
• GOLD = Guiding Overseas
Link with Development.
• GOLD originated from the
UK and they send out five
to eight teams yearly to
different countries around
the world.
• Project GOLD Fiji is for
young leaders between the
ages of 18 to 30 years old.
Four NZ members and four
UK members make up the
GOLD Fiji Team.
what is project GOLD?
These are undertaken at either world, regional or national level. These projects provide
a way for WAGGGS to work towards achieving its mission by actively involving girls and
young women in areas where they can make a difference.
Projects are set up in a wide range of areas from environmental concerns, health and
working towards peace to international understanding.
An example of this is Project GOLD Fiji. GirlGuiding New Zealand, in partnership with
Girlguiding UK, is working in Fiji to increase the awareness of Guiding and motivate girls
to participate.
The impact of civil unrest over the past twenty years has seen Guiding in Fiji struggling
with diminished girl membership and leadership.
Project GOLD Fiji was developed in 2005 with the first team sent in 2006.
Young leaders from GirlGuiding NZ have now worked on this project for three years.
However due to the political instability at the time and the teachers striking Project GOLD
2007 was delayed until 2008.
Heidi Moeller, Ranger leader with the Ashburton Rangers, has been involved in two
projects so far, firstly, as a participant in 2006 and then as the Contingent Leader in 2008.
It's a project with a difference, says Heidi. “It is for young leaders, and you get to meet
and work with other young leaders from the UK. I loved the idea that it was a service project.
“While on the project you live with the people of Fiji and get to know them and
their cultural diversity through the experience,” she says.
“Some of the activities we get involved with are school visits where the leaders go
to units which are at schools - they are school clubs. Here we deliver a programme that
motivates girls. The themes of the activities are centred around their own programme with
lots of games, dancing and songs. 32
Te Rama | Autumn 2009
31
Project GOLD Fiji 2010
Girl camps, with a visit to a district or region,
deliver a weekend camping experience to the girls.
This programme is designed around a theme and
elements of the camp bring together elements from their
programme and incorporate a New Zealand and UK flavour.
All important is the Leader Training. This is where Guide leaders
from NZ and the UK train Fijian commissioners and leaders. These
are weekend trainings and are about empowering leaders with
new skills and ideas to take back to other leaders and their girls.
Heidi says, “We also get involved in community life. On the 2008
project we went to a Hindu wedding, had dinner with the Ba Mayor,
(Ba is a town in Fiji), and we were home hosted in a Fijian Indian and
Fijian house.”
“So far we have delivered four girl camps. Each camp having
between 100 to 250 girls.
“We have also delivered five training camps to leaders from
between 20 to 40 leaders and have been to more than 25 schools,
visiting units that range in size from 16 to 200 girls.
“Altogether we have spent time in eight major locations
around Fiji delivering programmes. On each Project visit, we target
a new area on the main island and then visit an outer island.” Heidi
says, “We’re proud of the work we have achieved to date.”
Fiji is a hierarchical society and has a long way to go politically
to bring stability to its people.
“They don’t have the freedoms that young women and girls
have in New Zealand. I believe that this is slowly changing and
women are finding their voices in Fijian Society. But I wonder,” says
Heidi, “if Fijian women will ever have equal rights in a westernised
sense due to their cultural and religious beliefs.”
Some of the biggest issues facing girls and women in Fiji are
HIV/Aids, teen pregnancies, STDs, personal health and hygiene
issues. They also face not being able to make healthy eating
choices, low self esteem, values and moral issues centred on peer
pressure and home life.
Project GOLD aims at targeting some of these issues and
developing Promise and Law and programme activities to
strengthen the Fiji Girl Guides Association.
“Personally I have gained many amazing experiences of living
in the heart of two other cultures, the Fijian and Fijian Indian. I
have met many enthusiastic women that are slowly changing and
developing their own world into a better place and I'm touched
that I have been a part of their development.”
As a primary school teacher, Heidi says, “from a professional
perspective I now understand the Pacific Island children in my
class better. I understand their learning needs and development
and their social interactions with their peers. From a Guiding
perspective I'm now a trainer of other leaders, and the Project
GOLD Coordinator.”
Apply now for a once in a lifetime
experience!
31
Open to GirlGuiding New Zealand leaders if…
• You’re between the ages of 18 to 30 years
• Have three weeks leave or holiday in July
2010
• Can fundraise or pay $3,600 for airfares,
accommodation, insurance and food for
three weeks in Fiji and team weekends in
New Zealand
• Have commitment to planning a project
and working in a team
• Have knowledge of Guiding in New
Zealand and an understanding of
WAGGGS.
For further details contact Jeannie Moeller,
International Secretary, GirlGuiding New
Zealand, phone 03 366 8409 extn 713,
email: [email protected]
Heather
Team building
Muslim school at Ba
32
www.girlguidingnz.org.nz
guidingthings
todo
GirlGuiding NZ Auckland region has a fantastic Boat Centre based at Westhaven on the
Waitemata Habour.
They offer a variety of kayaking experiences to Guide and Ranger groups run by qualified boating leaders.
During the summer months the Boat Centre run evening kayak sessions and invite Guide units from the
Zone to come and have some fun for a couple of hours. Twice a year they run fun days where Guides
and Rangers can have a go at kayaking and raft building in a controlled, safe environment. For those
girls who want more, they run a kayak skills course and camp! Kayaks are available for hire to Guiding
groups and the Boat Centre can provide qualified people to help use them. Enquiries and bookings can
be arranged through the Auckland Outdoor Team. Email: [email protected].
And if you are a Leader and want to take part, just contact the team – experienced kayakers are
always welcome!
Te Rama
Te Rama
GirlGuiding New Zealand magazine
Text may be reproduced without
permission but acknowledgement of
source required.
Photographic material may not be
reproduced without permission in the
first instance.
Enquiries to
GirlGuiding New Zealand
PO Box 13143
Christchurch 8141, New Zealand
P: +64 3 366 8409 ext 707
E: [email protected]
Editor
Jane Smithson
Editorial
Cath Ford, GirlGuiding NZ
Lee Howden, GirlGuiding NZ
Sonya Sutherland, GirlGuiding NZ
Pam Galbraith, GirlGuiding NZ
Vera Larson, Journalist
Rosemary Jackson, Rose Communications
Michelle Robertson, Melford Rangers
Photographic credits
Mary Dawson, ARMS Ltd
Prue Fraser, volunteer and leader
Simone Pearson, GirlGuiding NZ
Cath Ford, GirlGuiding NZ
Michelle Conchie Osborne
Numerous others from inside and
outside GirlGuiding NZ
Graphics, layout and printing
The Caxton Press Ltd
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back cover