New Appointments to the National Advisory Council on the Employment of Women

Five members have been appointed to the National Advisory Council on the Employment of Women for a three-year term, according to Minister for Women Nicola Grigg.

The council provides advice to the Minister on employment matters affecting women, including monitoring emerging labour market developments and commissioning research. It has also recently contributed guidance on women’s economic empowerment and on the Gender Pay Gap Toolkit.

Chair Traci Houpapa and members Lyn McMorran of BusinessNZ and Melissa Ansell-Bridges of the National Council of Trade Unions have been reappointed.

“I congratulate Traci, Lyn and Melissa on their reappointment and thank them for their continued service to support the economic empowerment of women in New Zealand.

“I also warmly welcome new members Zoe Lyon-Gifford and Michelle Huang, both of whom bring a mix of leadership and governance experience across the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. Zoe has proven strengths in strategic oversight, cross sector collaboration, driving gender equity and leading transformational change. Michelle has a track record of creative problem-solving, championing ethnic and intersectional diversity in leadership, and of driving inclusive systems change.”

The newly appointed members will commence their roles next month.

“I look forward to continuing the strong relationship with NACEW to enhance employment opportunities for women in New Zealand,” Ms Grigg says.

Ms Grigg also expressed appreciation for outgoing members Dame Theresa Gattung, who served on the council for nine years, as well as Minnie Baragwanath, Bernadette Pereira, Theresa Rongonui, Naomi Hughes and Nurain Janah for their contributions to advancing women’s employment in New Zealand.