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YWCA of Hamilton

Championing young women since 1943

Our Focus

At the YWCA of Hamilton we believe every young woman deserves to live a life she values—and we’re here to help make that possible. Through storytelling, advocacy, and community-building, we lead and connect. We create and support events, workshops, and activities that open up opportunities for young women to thrive. Grounded in their voices and lived experiences, our work builds spaces—both online and in person—where young women feel seen, heard, and supported.

In addition to our core focus of championing young women in the Waikato, we also provide services for the wider community. Our hostel and venue hire are open to everyone.

Our Services

Our definition of "women" is intersectional and inclusive

At the YWCA of Hamilton, our doors are open to all self-identifying women—Māori, Indigenous, women of colour, transgender and queer women, femmes, disabled women, former refugees, immigrants, and women from every faith, ethnicity, community, and economic background.

Our Stories

Explore our blogs, reports, and podcasts for insights and inspiration.

Equal Agenda Podcast - Season 1 Episode 10

We’ve reached the final episode of Mollie and Isabelle’s season of Equal Agenda! This is a candid reflection on what they’ve learnt, highlights and challenges and common themes across theRead more

Equal Agenda Podcast - Season 1 Episode 9

Endometriosis is more common than you think and too often misunderstood. Annette Evans, manager and educator at Insight Endometriosis, joins Isabelle and Mollie to unpack the reality of diagnosis,Read more

Equal Agenda Podcast - Season 1 Episode 8

Anna Britz doesn’t shy away from the tough conversations and that’s exactly what makes them so powerful. As a consent and sexual violence researcher and educator, she shares her passion for workiRead more

Equal Agenda Podcast - Season 1 Episode 7

Louise Hutt is a trailblazing politician and Hamilton City Councillor! She opens up to Isabelle and Mollie about stepping into leadership as a young woman, combating online abuse, and her vision forRead more

Equal Agenda Podcast - Season 1 Episode 6

Gen Z content creator Faith is passionate about navigating the age of social media as a young woman. Join Mollie and Isabelle as they talk about the pressures of social media, how beauty standardsRead more

Equal Agenda Podcast - Season 1 Episode 5

Why are women still fighting for equality in the workplace? Suzette, a senior lecturer in the Division of Management at the University of Waikato, is passionate about exactly this. She shares herRead more

Equal Agenda Podcast - Season 1 Episode 4

From educator to entrepreneur, Sinead, the founder of ‘Meadow and Wild’ is following her passion and building her dream business. This wholesome episode is all about the collective power of womenRead more

Young Waikato Women's Wellbeing Report

Our Young Waikato Women’s Wellbeing Baseline Report revealed that young women and sex/gender diverse people in our region experience lower wellbeing than the national average. Read the report here.Read more

Equal Agenda Podcast - Season 1 Episode 3

Wendy, a dedicated advocate from Women’s Refuge shares her perspective on family violence and the important mahi she does supporting survivors. Join Mollie and Isabelle as they unpack how to spot tRead more

Equal Agenda Podcast - Season 1, Episode 2

Slay and Logan from RainbowHub are passionate about what it means to redefine traditional gender norms! As proud members of the rainbow community, they generously share with Isabelle their livedRead more

Equal Agenda Podcast - Season 1 Episode 1

Equal Agenda dives into the complexities of gender equality and unpacks the everyday discrimination women face. Isabelle and Mollie kick-start the podcast together in this first episode! Get to knowRead more

Pay Equity Rollback Puts Young Women at Risk, Says YWCA Aotearoa New Zealand

The Government’s recent move to repeal core provisions of Aotearoa’s pay equity legislation is more than a policy change, it’s a rollback of progress, a dismissal of lived realities, and aRead more