IWG Botswana handover to IWG New Zealand, 2018

IWG Co-Chairs Ruth Maphorisa (Botswana) and Raewyn Lovett (New Zealand)

Following a competitive bid in 2018, New Zealand won the right to become international host nation for the IWG 2018 – 2022 quadrennial.

The bid was led by New Zealand’s leading research and advocacy agency for gender equity in sport and recreation, Women in Sport Aotearoa New Zealand, in partnership with sport and active recreation government agency Sport New Zealand; plus the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE); the Ministry for Women; Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED); Tourism New Zealand; and the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC).

In September 2018, a delegation from IWG Botswana visited Auckland, New Zealand, to hand over the reins to Women in Sport Aotearoa New Zealand. From 1 October 2018, it became global delivery agent for the international IWG Secretariat programme and host for the 8th IWG World Conference that was delivered in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland.

Read the full conference report here and watch the highlights below.

A First Nations Workshop was also delivered at the conference and hosted at Ōrākei Marae by Women in Sport Aotearoa’s Māori Rōpū (Indigenous Group). Watch the highlights below:

Women in Sport Aotearoa New Zealand was set-up in late 2016. It exists to transform society through leadership, research and advocacy, ensuring that all women and girls gain equity of opportunity to freely and safely participate, compete and build careers in sport and recreation. Read about the hand-over.

Women in Sport Aotearoa New Zealand has a strong Board which provides extensive support to the IWG Secretariat & Conference. Meet the Board.

IWG Secretary General – New Zealand Secretariat

Photo: Rachel Froggatt became IWG Secretary General 2018 – 2022 in September 2018

The global administrative function and conference delivery is led by the IWG Secretary General, appointed by the host nation at the start of each period. Experienced global sports leader, Rachel Froggatt, held the role from September 2018 to November 2022. Read about her here.

IWG Secretariat Team – New Zealand Secretariat

Photo: From left to right; Nicky van den Bos, Shańee Kiriau, Peta Forrest

The global operational activity for the IWG and 8th IWG World Conference on Women & Sport is delivered by the IWG Secretariat Team.