We kick off our Women in Business Series on the 26th March so place it in your diaries.

Join us to hear stories from a group of Women who have lived through challenges and navigated hardship to create successful careers and lives. Women that have gone on to help others that are going through their own journey.

WHEN | Thursday 26th March 

TIME | 9.30am - 11am 

WHERE | Boulcott's Farm Heritage Golf Club 

COST | Complimentary - This event is sponsored by ChamberWorksNZ 

ChamberWorksNZ 

Speakers 

Gagau Annandale  | Stone, Regional Commissioner for Social Development at Ministry of Social Development (MSD)

 Gagau is an experienced senior leader with over 20 years in banking and extensive public sector leadership at the Ministry of Social Development. Since 2019, she has served as Regional Commissioner for Wellington, leading a large team that supports communities, whānau, and employment opportunities. She holds advanced business qualifications, has received national and international leadership awards, and is a proud Samoan, Tongan, and Scottish woman from Porirua. Gagau is also active in the community as a mentor, public speaker, marriage celebrant, former Porirua Foundation trustee, and life member of Pacifica Inc.

Natasha Marahwa | Founder and Client Services Director | Men VS Dirt Cleaning Services Limited | cleaning@menvsdirt.co.nz

Natasha Marahwa has extensive background working in public sector as a Senior Advisor and Senior Consultant. However, due to public sector cuts in 2023, she found it hard to land her next role. Even just landing a job interview was challenging on its own. So she decided to create her own destiny and chose to help her husband start his dream of owning their own business, Men VS. Dirt, which is a residential and commercial cleaning company.

As Men VS. Dirt began to grow, Natasha remained committed to creating a business grounded in integrity, community, and opportunity. When it came time to expand and hire staff, she worked closely with MSD’s Work Broker to bring onboard MSD clients who shared their values and aligned with the company’s ethos. Through this partnership, she was able to offer meaningful employment to New Zealanders who were also seeking a chance to move forward and create a better life for themselves.

Naomi Roberts | Kaimahi Piki te Ora Social Worker | Downtown Community Ministry (DCM) Wellington

 Naomi Roberts has over 10 years of experience in local government and community services, with a strong background in supporting whānau, Māori communities, and diverse stakeholders. Despite her extensive experience and long history of service, she found it challenging to secure sustainable employment after relocating to the Wellington region.

With the support of MSD’s Work Broker team, Naomi was connected to DCM for the Kaimahi Piki te Ora Social Worker (Rough Sleeping) role. Alongside her new role, Naomi is now studying toward her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, supported by her employer. Her journey shows how determination, resilience, and the right support network can help transform a challenging chapter into a pathway of growth, service, and long-term career development.

This event is sponsored by ChamberWorks https://chamberworks.nz