About Us

The New Zealand Federation of Women's Institutes Incorporated

The main aim of the New Zealand Federation of Women's Institutes is to provide an organisation for the purpose of enabling women to take an effective part in the life of their community and its development.

Our Theme for 2008-2010: Together We Can Make It Happen

Our Project for 2008-2010: Brighten a Life

Herstory Notes

A Worldwide Organisation(click here for more)

Originated in Canada in 1897

The New Zealand organisation

1921 February 21 Founders Day
1930 October the first Dominion Conference
1932 Official name became The Dominion Federation of Women's Institutes
1952 Official name became The Dominion Federation of Country Women's Institutes (Incorporated)
1982 The name changed to The New Zealand Federation of Country Women's Institutes (Incorporated)
2004 The name changed to The New Zealand Federation of Women's Institutes (Incorporated)

The Structure of the New Zealand Federation in 2008

8,000+ Individual members
445 Local Institutes
50 District Federations
1 National Executive Committee of 9 members

Our Patron is Her Excellency Mrs Susan Satyanand

The elected National Executive for 2008 - 2010 are:

National President: Mrs Eleanor Holt

Vice Presidents: Mrs Margaret Mahoney and Mrs Jenny Blomfield

ExecutiveCommittee:

Mrs Jeanette Andrews, Mrs Alison Crawford, Mrs Elaine Dougherty
Mrs Jenny Hamley, Mrs Jenny Ward and Mrs Vi Wood-Oliff