Wāhine Toa Oceania

In 2025, the New Zealand Olympic Committee delivered their pilot Wāhine Toa Leadership Oceania Programme into Oceania hosted in Fiji with proven effectiveness based on the New Zealand Olympic Committee Wāhine Toa model that was established in 2017.

Wāhine Toa Oceania is a women-in-sport leadership initiative led by the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) in support of the Oceania National Olympic Committees. It equips emerging and established female leaders across the Pacific to strengthen their skills, expand their networks, and drive positive change in sport and their communities. The programme is delivered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, through its Pacific Sport for Development Fund, the Olympic Solidarity Knowledge Sharing Fund, and the Oceania Impact Network Equity Commission.

Cohort 2 will be delivered over 2026-2027 and brings together participants from nine Oceania nations with diverse sporting, cultural, and leadership backgrounds. Through workshops, mentoring, peer learning, and practical development opportunities, they build the knowledge, confidence, and connections to take on greater leadership roles in sport organisations, athlete communities, and across the Pacific.

Grounded in Pacific values and focused on lasting impact, Wāhine Toa Oceania is building a connected network of women who support one another, advance gender equity, and strengthen sport throughout the region. By investing in women and regional relationships, the programme contributes to a more inclusive, diverse, and sustainable future for Pacific sport.

About the Programme

A twelve month programme based on three residential workshops with Cohort 2 to be delivered over 2026-2027.

• Workshop 1: November 23-26th, 2026
  

• Workshop 2: April 5-9th, 2027
  

• Workshop 3: October 11-14th, 2027

Any enquiries should be directed to the Programme Manager Cathleen Bias cathleen@olympic.org.nz