(Picture caption: Nine Pacific wāhine feature on this year’s Y25 list.)
Every year, the pool of nominees for the Y25 grows bigger and stronger and this year’s list features nine trailblazing, cycle breaking, system changing, wāhine.
Senior Associate, YWCA Tāmaki Makaurau and Y25 Programme Kaitiaki Latayvia Tualasea Tautai says many of the women on the Y25 list grew up without seeing anyone who looked like them highlighted as leaders.
“Now they are pillars and giants in their own communities that our tamariki can look to and feel hope,” Latayvia says.
Latayvia, a leader in her own right having received the 2022 Prime Minister’s Pacific Youth Award for Leadership and Inspiration, adds the trope that young women have to compete, has expired.
“The individualistic rat race is out and building each other up is in.
"This year's Y25 are diverse, passionate, creative, intelligent and strong, and they will give you hope for Aotearoa's future," she says.
Developed by the YWCA (the Y ), the Y25 celebrates 25 wāhine and irarere aged 25 years or younger, who are leaders in their fields.
From more than 100 nominations, the final 25 were selected for their vision, their leadership and their impact – whether far-reaching or community focused.
In its fourth year, the Y25 programme highlights trailblazers from all over Aotearoa, and brings them together to connect with each other, and have access to support and networking opportunities from YWCA Tāmaki Makaurau.
As a year-long wraparound programme those on the Y25 form strong bonds within each cohort to last a lifetime.
“The Y25 are leaders of today and ancestors of tomorrow,” Latayvia says.
The nine Pacific wāhine named as Y25 leaders in 2023 are:
Congratulations to all the 2023 Y25 leaders.
Watch out for profiles on the Pacific up and coming leaders over the next few weeks on the MPP website and in our e-newsletter Fetu Pasifika (sign up on website).