DWN Conference 2024
Join us for an empowering experience at this year's DWN Conference on Thursday 2nd May in vibrant New Plymouth at the esteemed Plymouth International Hotel.
ENHANCE your values: Discover the power within as we delve into refining and amplifying your core values. Unearth the essence of what truly matters to you.
ELEVATE your skills: Engage in interactive sessions, and dynamic discussions where you will gain practical tools and strategies to enhance your life’s journey.
EVOLVE your journey: Surround yourself with a diverse community, forge meaningful connections, and build a network that will elevate you to new heights.
Immerse yourself in insights from leading women shaping the industry, forge connections with fellow professionals nationwide, and take advantage of the chance to broaden your network and knowledge.
Centrally located at the Plymouth International Hotel, number 220 Courtenay Street, in the CBD.
Join us at the DWN 2024 Conference
With an exciting lineup of guest speakers, including the esteemed Philippa Cameron, and dynamic workshops, our program is designed to inspire and empower.
Wrap up your conference experience with flair at our Casino Royale Gala Dinner, where we’ll unveil the recipient of this year’s Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year award.
Don’t let this exceptional opportunity pass you by. Unleash your full potential with DWN this May.
The Programme
Networking Pre Event
Wednesday 1st May 2024
- 4:00pm: Registration Opens
- 5:00pm: Welcome and Networking.
- 6:30pm: Finish
Conference Day
Thursday 2nd May 2024
- 7:00am: Registration and Breakfast served
- 7:25am: Welcome
- 7:40am: Breakfast Speaker – PHILIPPA CAMERON
Brought to you by SealesWinslow - 9:15am: Workshop – CHAMPIONING FARMERS
Brought to you by Fonterra - 10:30am: Morning Tea
Brought to you by LIC - 10:45am: Workshop – WOMEN LEADING THE WAY
Brought to you by Heartland Bank - 11:55am: Lunch
Brought to you by LIC - 12:35pm: Workshop – WORK SMARTER, NOT HARDER
- 1:50pm: Workshop – MUM’S THE WORD
- 3:10pm: Afternoon tea
Brought to you by LIC - 3:20pm: Interactive Session – UNLEASH YOUR FULL POTENTIAL
- 4:30pm: Closing Speech
- 7:00pm: Gala Dinner – Theme: Casino Royale
Featuring the announcements of Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year & Regional Leader of the Year Awards
The Location
Plymouth International Hotel
220 Courtenay Street,
New Plymouth Central,
New Plymouth – 4312
Phone: +64 6 759 9128
Networking Pre Event
Join us for an exclusive early bird networking evening, completely complimentary, at the Plymouth International Hotel.
From 4 PM to 6 PM, dive into an enriching experience where you can connect with industry leaders, engage in meaningful conversations, and lay the foundation for fruitful collaborations.
This event is your chance to get a head start on building relationships, sharing insights, and setting the stage for a successful conference experience. Don’t miss this opportunity to jumpstart your networking journey and make the most out of your time at the DWN Conference.
UBCO Bike Competition
Go in the draw for a chance to WIN a PINK UBCO 2×2 Adventure Bike valued at $7999
Purchase a full priced DWN2024 conference registration and attend to go in the draw for a chance to win a limited edition Pink UBCO 2×2 adventure bike. Gain an additional entry by purchasing a full priced ticket to the Gala Dinner. One lucky person will be drawn as the winner live on Thursday 2nd May in New Plymouth at the DWN2024 Enhance. Elevate. Evolve Conference.
KeyNote Speaker
Philippa Cameron
A farmer, a mum, a station cook, an author, an influencer and all the other jobs in between, Philippa is an advocate for women’s roles in farming no matter what that may look like or entail.
Whether knee-deep in muck, up early for morning milking, making the smoko or running the ‘side hustle’ to help pay the bills, Philippa wants you to know how vital your role is to your family and business. ‘As I have taken on the role of the cook, I have found a purpose in the role. Some may feel that being tied to the kitchen is a step backwards for feminism.
But I see my role being one of importance. It may seem like just a cuppa and a scone some days, but it sis more than that. It is bringing the staff together’
Workshops
Mum’s the Word
With Michelle Mitchell
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Discover how to cultivate personal experiences. Learn how to manage the day-to-day stresses of juggling family life.
Address and acknowledge the importance that self-awareness, restorative practices and boundaries play in our lives.
Championing Farmers
With Anne Douglas
LEARNING OUTCOMES
To increase awareness of the commercial opportunities for sustainable milk. Help build an understanding of how running an efficient business supports sustainability.
How to identify on-farm efficiency opportunities relevant to your own farm operation, and how to take action on this.
Women leading the way
With Marie-Claire Andrews
Panel: Gail Mitchell, Sharleen Sealey and Nicola Van Dorsten
LEARNING OUTCOMES
To boost confidence and belief in your own ability to succeed and achieve in the dairy industry. Explore a range of pathways and opportunities within the dairy farming sector, gaining an understanding of different roles and career paths.
Address and acknowledge the barriers and challenges faced by women in the dairy industry and equipping you with the strategies to overcome these obstacles and pursue a successful career. Gain knowledge from the panellists and understand the practical steps they took to achieve success.
Take on board practical advice given on various tools for navigating our industry and achieving success.
Work smarter not harder!
With Jana Hocken
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Discover what Lean Management is and why it is important / relevant for your farm.
Explore the 8 Wastes in your farm business and how these add unnecessary time, cost and stress to your farm business. Understand why profitability is crucial, and what lean looks like on farm. Gain practical insights into the 3 key lean tools that you can apply immediately to your farm!
Learn why ‘Challenging the Status Quo’ and asking ‘Why’ is fundamental to change and continuous improvement.
INTERACTIVE SESSION
Unleash your full potential with Rachel Matheson
Discover a deeper understanding of your own interests, skills, strengths, aspirations and goals. Delve into the opportunities that have the potential to accelerate their own personal journeys and pathways. Identify what might be holding them back from new experiences and personal growth.
Will gain confidence in their abilities and potential to achieve their aspirations and goals. Leave the workshop with a renewed sense of motivation, energy, direction and purpose
CASINO ROYALE GALA DINNER
Indulge in a night of elegance and excitement at our Casino Royale Gala Dinner, the grand finale of this year’s DWN Conference. Set against the backdrop of sophistication, join us for an unforgettable evening filled with gourmet delights, live entertainment, and the announcement of this year’s Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year and DWN’s Regional Leader of the Year.
Join us in celebrating the achievements and contributions of outstanding women in the dairy industry, as we honor their dedication and leadership.
Don your finest attire, embrace the ambience of luxury, and revel in the company of like-minded individuals as we toast to success, excellence, and the limitless potential of women in dairy. This Gala Dinner is not just an event—it’s an experience to cherish, a moment to remember, and a celebration of the extraordinary.
Register Today
Get accommodation
Plymouth International Hotel
220 Courtenay Street, New Plymouth Central, New Plymouth – 4312.
For bookings at Plymouth International call 06 759 9128, and state that you are attending the DWN 2024 Conference.
Meet the team
The Dairy Women’s Network conference is a chance for women to make connections, upskill with the latest industry information, and work together towards a brighter future for our industry.
Meet the DWN 2024 Conference Committee. Overseen by the Chair and supported by the core Dairy Women’s Network team, each event is planned and delivered by women on the ground who know the needs of their regions. These women are dairy farmers and rural professionals, heavily ingrained in their communities.
KIELEE MATHIS
CONFERENCE CHAIR
Kielee’s dairy farming career began when she met her husband in Reporoa in 1995. Living in the country was a big adventure new way of life. Originally sharemilking together, they went on to become farm owners and have been milking 320 cows on a farm in Galatea for the past 18 years. Outside her roles on the farm, Kielee enjoys using her innate ability to plan, organize, gather resources, and create events and projects and has had many roles drawing on these skills.
Now, Kielee is a DWN Hub Leader for the Bay of Plenty & Central Plateau and loves the ability that DWN gives her and others “to keep growing and giving back to their communities and the industry.
ROBYN HALLAM-REID
COMMITTEE MEMBER
Robyn was born and raised on a dairy farm, initially in Northland and then in the Waikato. The family had a pedigree jersey herd, and they were involved in showing, and her Father was a Show Judge.
She is now a rural professional; passionate about helping those in the industry achieve, and she sees her involvement in DWN as an extension of this. Robyn feels privileged to be involved at a Regional Level to help, assist and promote others in this industry.
She lives on a lifestyle block with her husband and donkey. She has 2 adult daughters and a granddaughter.
LAURA WEST
COMMITTEE MEMBER
Laura’s farming career started when she met her husband. Originally from the UK she had never been on a farm before moving to New Zealand, starting on her husbands family farm as lower order sharemilkers they quickly progressed to 50/50 sharemilkers then onto farm owners in 2021 milking 210 cows in Taranaki as well as bringing up their 2 children.
Outside of farming Laura enjoys her role as a DWN regional leader making connections with other likeminded women in the community and ultimately learning more about the industry.
AIMEE WILSON
COMMITTEE MEMBER
Aimee was born and bred into the dairy industry and is now lower-order sharemilking on a 500 cow dairy farm on the outskirts of Te Awamutu with her partner and four children between them. She has a strong interest in the grassroots of farming, the cows, the pastures and the people.
Aimee enjoys being part of DWN as a Waipa Regional Leader and loves the connections she has made with other like-minded women, “a tribe of beautiful and powerful women who enjoy helping others to learn and grow within our industry.
sponsorship
Thank you to our sponsors whose unwavering support has made the DWN Conference possible. Their commitment to empowering women in the dairy industry has been instrumental in bringing together this gathering of visionaries, innovators, and leaders.
