'Empower You' event to inspire and uplift women

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Two local wāhine-led businesses have joined forces to create a new event  for women here.

Empower You is promoting the experience for women to come together and “re-energise their wairua”.

The event is set to host more than 200 attendees for over four hours of “passion, practicality and inspiration”, featuring more than 50 local small businesses and 12 hands-on workshops, all led by local women. Seven guest speakers are lined up.

“After  all that we have been through locally, we saw an opportunity to bring people together for something positive,” said Alice Kibble, one of the event organisers and owner of Ask Alice.

“Most of my clients are women, and I know we need those opportunities to motivate and look after ourselves.”

The event is not for profit, with all proceeds to be donated to Kai Connect, a local food bank initiative run by Kaiwhakangau, providing organic venison to local families.

It will include workshops on navigating mid-life demands, dressing with confidence, Japanese papercraft, cooking from scratch, an introduction to e-bikes and safety, and overcoming a fear of technology.

A lunch is included.

“This year has certainly been challenging,” said Kaiwhakangau co-owner and event MC Tui Keenan.

“We as wāhine often put ourselves last when it comes to whānau, so this is the perfect opportunity for us to press pause from the daily demands of life, invest in ourselves and hit that reset button."

"My drive for organising this event is to get behind women to really believe in who they are and be confident in what they can do. For me it’s getting hands on with hunting for kai but I know there are so many other women out there with different passions and this day is an opportunity to share them in hopes of inspiring others," said Kaiwhakangau co-owner and event organiser Lisa Daunton.

“The event will educate, inspire and uplift everyone who attends.”

■  Empower You is on at the Gisborne Showgrounds Event Centre on September 9. It starts at 10am and runs to 2pm. For more information, including for tickets, go to https://tinyurl.com/4j458ek2