Paula Bennett
Wellington, May 8, 2017
The government has reached its target of appointing 45% of women to state sector boards and committees, the highest percentage ever.
The government set this target in 2011 and now we have reached 45.3% of women on state sector boards.
This has been a priority for us and I am now determined to not only maintain this level but increase it even further.
Diversity benefits
Research shows the benefits of gender diversity on boards.
It is important that the state sector leads by example.
I am now challenging the private sector to catch up. The boards of NZX-listed companies still only have 17% women and that is quite frankly not good enough.
There is still more work to be done in the state sector but this is a real milestone.
We need to continue to encourage and support women into leadership roles.
I encourage all New Zealand organisations to strive for greater diversity in their workforce and leadership.
The gender Stocktake of State sector boards and committees is undertaken annually by the Ministry for Women. It counts the Ministerial appointments to state sector boards and committees as at December 31, 2016.
The full Stocktake is available HERE
Paula Bennett is Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Women in New Zealand
