Street Smart Self-Defence Workshop - Thursday 20th AugustThe workshop runs on Thursday 20th of August from 7:00pm to 9:00pm with refreshments provided. Please note this session is suitable for girls aged 13 years and over, as some of the content may be sensitive. The workshop will take place in the YWCA Waikato Gym Hall. This workshop is bought to you in partnership with MINDSET Self-Defence.
Events for Young Waikato Women
We love a celebration and we love celebrating women even more! Every year, we host events for International Women’s Day and Suffrage Day that celebrate and uplift women, honouring their strength, stories, and achievements.
We also run self-defence workshops, retreats, and other empowering activities co-designed by and for young Waikato women. These events are all about building confidence, fostering community, and boosting wellbeing, while having a great time doing it! Follow our social for all the details.
Upcoming Events
Past Events
Suffrage Weekend Leadership Retreat
Our Leadership Retreat held over Suffrage Day was beyond special, inspiring, empowering, and FUN.
Facilitated by the incredibly knowledgeable and passionate Rhonda Parry, we learnt about what makes a great leader, how to use our voices to make the changes we want to see, and tools such as breathwork to stay calm and centred through it all.
This weekend nourished our hearts, bodies, and minds. And most importantly, it brought together a group of likeminded, powerful and courageous young waahine who supported and uplifted one another.
Cambridge High School Pamper Day
A day filled with nails💅, facemasks🫧, massages💆♀️, and snacks🍿. Wrapped up with a naturopathy session, which unpacked the four cycles women go through each month, and explained how you can feel your best at each stage. The girls got the opportunity to ask lots of questions around nutrition, exercise, hormones, and medication. This was such a valuable experience as information available around health and wellness today can often be overwhelming and conflicting!
Girl POWA Retreat
Our mother and daughter overnight retreat at Pirongia Lodge offered an opportunity to re-connect with each other and have fun!
Together, we co-designed a weekend filled with black water caving, yoga, and rock climbing, as well as an impromptu campfire karaoke session whilst toasting smores.
Confidence, resilience and new friendships were built within the kind and supportive environment the waahine created.
HER Wellbeing Waikato
Our free, one-day Wellbeing Symposium held on Saturday 7 March 2026 at Western Community Centre, brought together young women, inspiring speakers, and community partners for a fun, welcoming, and empowering day focused on wellbeing.
Attendees took part in interactive workshops, heard from inspiring speakers, explored hands-on activity spaces, and joined engaging panel discussions where their voices were valued. The symposium was designed to support every aspect of young women's wellbeing while fostering connection, learning, and empowerment.
Vote Her In: Speed Meet the Candidates
Held on Suffrage Day, 19 September 2025, YWCA Waikato (previously YWCA Hamilton) hosted an evening of 'Political Speed Dating', giving young people the opportunity to meet the waahine and gender-diverse candidates standing for Hamilton City Council.
Designed as a "first date" with democracy, the event created space for meaningful conversations, thoughtful questions, and connections between voters and local election candidates.
Held in celebration of Aotearoa New Zealand's legacy as the first country to grant women the right to vote, the event honoured 132 years of progress while encouraging the next generation to engage in local democracy.
Women and gender-diverse candidates from the East, West, and Māori wards, along with mayoral candidates, joined attendees for a series of informal, fast-paced conversations that helped make local politics more accessible, engaging, and empowering.
Being, Becoming, Belonging - Welcoming Week Youth Event
As part of Welcoming Week, YWCA Waikato in collaboration with The Refugee Orientation Centre Trust (ROC) and Shama Ethnic Women's Trust, hosted a free Youth Night on 12 September 2025 at Zeal Hamilton to celebrate diversity, creativity, and connection of rangatahi across Kirikiriroa.
Designed for young people aged 13–24, the event provided a welcoming space to connect, celebrate different cultures, and build a sense of belonging.
The evening featured live music, delicious food, spot prizes, and plenty of opportunities for young people to perform, dance, or simply enjoy the vibrant atmosphere.
Together, attendees celebrated what it means to be, become, and belong in our diverse community.
Upcoming Events
Street Smart Self-Defence Workshop - Thursday 22nd October The workshop runs on Thursday 22nd of October from 7:00pm to 9:00pm with refreshments provided. Please note this session is suitable for girls aged 13 years and over, as some of the content may be sensitive. The workshop will take place in the YWCA Waikato Gym Hall. This workshop is bought to you in partnership with MINDSET Self-Defence.
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