Updates

New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Sport and Recreation Hon Grant Robertson and a quartet of high-powered international sports influencers now complete the full line-up of featured speakers for the 8^th IWG World Conference on Women & Sport (IWG 2022) to be held in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland from November 14-18.

• This announcement completes the final programme released today, which includes 220+ sessions and 500 speakers across four days. Registrations for the hybrid in person / virtual pass is now 23.59 NZT on Wednesday 9 November 2022. Virtual passes remain available until November 17, however participants are encouraged to finish any outstanding registrations ASAP, so they can receive log-in instructions and information early.
• A PDF version of the full event programme can be downloaded here: IWG2022 Programme – Participant Version FINAL. A fully interactive version with session synopsis and speaker biographies can be viewed here.

A 10-strong field of Inspiring Insights speakers has been confirmed for IWG 2022. 

Registrations have surged past 1200, with limited spaces now remaining for in person participants. The closing date to register for the Hybrid Pass is now 23:59 NZT on 9 Nov, and we may need to close sooner.

We are proud to announce the youngest speaker to present in IWG history since it was first staged in 1994.

At just 17, basketballer and social change leader Maia Mariner of LazySneakers will prepare to take the stage at IWG 2022 next month.

Due to borders re-opening, we have been notified by Immigration New Zealand that they are experiencing an influx of applications. This is causing major delays in processing visas for visitors into the country.  

If you already have a visa application in the process we encourage you to keep pursuing this , as your in-person participation is valuable. However, we cannot guarantee your visa will be approved. 

If circumstances mean you cannot attend in person, our virtual programme of the conference will still offer a rich and interactive experience.

We advise participants to monitor official New Zealand Government channels for the most up-to-date entry and visa information. Please visit www.covid19.govt.nz/international-travel for further details.

To mark five weeks until the 8th IWG World Conference on Women & Sport in Aotearoa, New Zealand, this November, more local and global speakers have been added to the speaker lineup.

• Hot off the heels of the Women’s Rugby World Cup, Content Creator and Emerging young leader Arizona Leger (Te Rarawa, Whakatōhea, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji) will join Angela Ruggerio as another Featured Speaker, Kaikorero Matamua.
• A collection of Pacific and Māori voices from across the sector includes FIFA’s first appointed Chief Women’s Football Officer, Sarai Bareman (Samoan, Dutch) and Former dual rugby league-rugby union international Honey Hireme-Smiler MNZM (Tainui, Te Arawa, Ngati Raukawa, Ngati Haua, Ngati Whakaue).
• One of Britain’s most successful female Olympians and UK Sport Chair, Dame Katherine Grainger (Scotland), and Climate Action Advocate, Madeleine Orr (Canada), join the programme on Days 2 and 4.

Further to recent advice on travel, we are hearing that there are increasingly significant delays and challenges with acquiring visas via Immigration New Zealand due to demand since borders re-opened in July.

To this point, we have been advised by Immigration NZ, that if anyone requires a visa for entry and is yet to apply for this they will need to do so immediately to allow sufficient processing time.

What would be helpful is including an endorsement letter for your application that can be provided by our agency team. Essentially, the letter will show proof of registration and welcome you to the conference this November. To request a letter, please email our conference agency at iwg@theconferencecompany.com

We recommend any visa application include an endorsement to provide better odds of acceptance.

Please be reminded that any transit via Australia does require a temporary visa too.

Additionally, you may have seen that vaccination mandates on travel have now been removed to enter New Zealand. You will no longer need to carry or demonstrate proof of vaccination details.

For more information on travel to New Zealand: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas

For registration enquiries contact our conference agency at iwg@theconferencecompany.com

We are pleased to announce a new strategic relationship with World Rugby. Over the next four years, we will work to raise awareness of the need for positive change and action for gender equality and equity across the sports system through collaboration on shared initiatives.

As part of this,  World Rugby has committed a delegation of up to 50 female leaders to the 8th IWG World Conference on Women & Sport, with NZ Rugby confirming a further 20.

Read more

Learn how easy it is to join the 8th IWG World Conference on Women & Sport virtually!

Whether you are joining us in person for the hybrid experience or online for the virtual experience, you will have ample opportunity to connect, collaborate and grow our Global Community of Action.

Watch the 1-minute video from our recent test event, and learn how to use the interactive tools and build connections throughout our 4-day programme.

WATCH VIDEO

Our Conference Agency, The Conference Company, has secured block bookings at select hotels close to the venue, the Aotea Centre | Te Pokapū.

Special rates (GST inclusive) have been negotiated and participants are able to make reservations via the conference agency.

To learn more about the hotels and how to make a reservation, visit the Your Experience page and select "Accommodation" from the menu.

Read Accommodation Terms & Conditions

We have a range of Exhibition and Event Partner opportunities available now! 

The world’s largest gathering to advance gender equity and equality in sport and physical activity is the perfect backdrop for exhibiting and engaging with a global network of key influencers and decision-makers.

Showcase your products, services and solutions in a hybrid format, both in person and virtually.

Download the Prospectus

8^th IWG World Conference on Women & Sport marks ‘100 days to go’ with more headline speaker announcements from Africa, Europe, the Americas and the Middle East

** Earlybird registration deadline closes 31 August 2022 **
**Exhibition Packages now available**

To mark ‘100 days to go’ until the 8^th IWG World Conference on Women & Sport in Aotearoa New Zealand this November, a diverse range of additional global speakers have been added to an already impressive line-up. The International Working Group (IWG) on Women & Sport has also today released a range of in person and virtual Exhibition Packages and Event Partnership opportunities.

Today’s speakers join over 220+ sessions and almost 500 speakers previously announced for the world’s largest gathering to advance gender equity and equality in sport and physical activity. Over 1,200+ participants are expected in person at the iconic Te Pokapū – Aotea Centre in the heart of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, with hundreds more online via a world class conferencing system.

We have opened expression of interest applications for anyone skilled as a facilitator to join us at the 8th IWG World Conference on Women in Sport in Auckland and online, this November. Apply now!

This is a unique opportunity to contribute your facilitation skills at the largest gathering on gender equality in sport and physical activity.

The International Working Group (IWG) on Women & Sport Secretariat, Women in Sport Aotearoa, Ngā Wāhine Hākinakina o Aotearoa, is delighted to announce a series of headline speakers for the 8^th IWG World Conference on Women & Sport. To mark the moment, the Earlybird deadline has now been extended to 31 August 2022, allowing more participants to access the discounted rates.

These global sports leaders and activists join an action-packed core programme already announced for the event, due to take place in Tamaki Makaurau Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand and Online from 14-17 November 2022. They will present in person, with live broadcast on the virtual platform.

Two major initiatives to increase participation by First Nations women at the 8^th IWG World Conference on Women & Sport.

• 50 Indigenous scholarships now available for wāhine and kōhine Māori (Aotearoa, New Zealand)
• Indigenous-specific off-site to be hosted at Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei - home of the local iwi (tribe)
• Call to action to countries worldwide to register Indigenous Delegations

Following the launch of the #IWG2022 core programme, Women in Sport Aotearoa (IWG Secretariat) has opened registrations for the Inspire Showcase. 

The Inspire Showcase is a taste of what’s to come for the IWG World Conference.

Register now and join the Global Community of Action for this free virtual event on 12 July 2022, 8:30 am – 10:00 am NZST.

Ka puta Matariki, ka rere Whānui. Ko te tohu tēnā o te tau e!

The stars re-appear to take flight. Matariki brings good fortune, positive change and prosperity through new beginnings.

IWG Secretariat agency, Women in Sport Aotearoa, Ngā Wāhine Hākinakina o Aotearoa (WISPA) is delighted to launch the core programme for the 8^th IWG World Conference on Women & Sport, timed to celebrate the reappearance of the kāhui whetū (star cluster), Matariki, this month.

WISPA has also announced an "Inspire Showcase", a free 1-hour test event, designed for participants planning to join the IWG World Conference virtually.

The New Zealand government recently announced borders will now reopen from 31 July 2022, four months before the 8th IWG World Conference on Women & Sport.

This is great news for those who have been planning to travel to be in person for the conference but wanted certainty around entering and leaving the country.

GROUPInspire Passes are now available for the 8^th IWG World Conference on Women & Sport this November in Aotearoa New Zealand, with a discount for groups of five and over! Gather colleagues or friends and register together. Or promote your organisational commitment to gender equality in sport and physical activity by Registering a Delegation.

The GROUPInspire Pass can be tailored to your specific requirements – you can:

• Put together a bespoke package of Passes to best suit your requirements.
• Join as a group with members across multiple organisations or countries.
• Register a Delegation and demonstrate the commitment of your organisation.

Get in now, before the Earlybird deadline of 31 July 2022!

The New Zealand government announced borders will be fully open by October 2022, the month before the 8^th IWG World Conference on Women & Sport.

The International Working Group (IWG) on Women & Sport is delighted to announce that registrations for the postponed 8th IWG World Conference on Women & Sport re-opened at 3pm NZT, Tuesday 8 March 2022!

As the world continues to mark UN International Women’s Day, IWG has launched a brand new IWG World Conference Hub including a first draft “Programme-at-a-Glance”, plus early session information and new details about how IWG New Zealand is putting the whole experience together.

Kia ora everyone,

On behalf of the IWG Global Executive, we hope you have had a good start to the New Year!

In our last update, we announced that the 8th IWG World Conference on Women & Sport would be postponed by 6 months to 14 – 17th November 2022. This decision was made due to ongoing border restrictions, which would have prevented us from welcoming any speakers or participants in-person from outside Aotearoa New Zealand.

Last week we wrote to you explaining the border situation here in Aotearoa New Zealand. In summary, if we were to continue ahead on our current dates with the 8^th IWG World Conference on Women & Sport, the border restrictions would prevent us from welcoming any speakers or participants in-person from outside New Zealand.

IWG calls out for contributions from all over the world, with 100+ insights targeted by Christmas.

The International Working Group (IWG) on Women & Sport has today launched a world first digital platform, designed to empower and advance gender equity and equality for women and girls in sport and physical activity worldwide.