It was worth the wait.

Thanks to COVID we had to postpone our International Women’s Day Breakfast this year from 8 March to 2 July, but while it was a chilly start to the morning, the aroha, joy and genuine care for each other that was evident inside the beautifully decorated event space at The Riverhead warmed our hearts and more.

The event was a celebration of women making a difference in our community, our world and our country.

Among the speakers were Hon Priyanca Radhakrishnan, Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, Minister for Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities, Minister for Youth and Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment.

Former TV journalist Billie-Jo Ropiha-Hohepa kept the crowd entertained with the story of how she grew up in a household of self-described ‘tutupreneurs’ who were always mucking around and inventing things, and is now an entrepreneur herself on a mission to rid the world of a trillion wet wipes. Waratah Taogaga, a Kindred Family Services Board Member gave a heartfelt speech about her journey of identity owning all the many and varied parts of herself from her Māori, Samoan and Australian Aboriginal backgrounds. She left us inspired and optimistic for the future with her fierce dedication to helping Māori tamariki succeed and stand proud knowing who they are and where they come from.

Billie Jo Ropiha-Hohepa from www.b-det.com. — *Billie Jo Ropiha-Hohepa from* *www.b-det.com*.

The morning was also memorable because as our guests arrived the first stars of the Matariki cluster could be see in the clear, early morning skies. As well, the occasion marked the first anniversary of Kindred Family Services, an organisation formed by the merger of Kia Tīmata Anō Trust and Helensville Women & Family Centre.

Our 100 guests were treated to a special breakfast, packed and delivered in a cardboard box, by the social enterprise Eat My Lunch. Thanks to its innovative buy one, give one model, our guests could enjoy their meal knowing that 100 kiwi kids would enjoy a nutritious lunch the following week who might otherwise not have had any.

Kindred Family Services thanks everyone who supported the event, from our very special hosts at The Riverhead, to Kellie Burbidge and the team at Eat My Lunch, La Lumiere for the fairylights, and Van Lier Nurseries for the flowers, as well as our inspiring speakers who were so generous with their time.

We look forward to hosting the next International Women’s Day Breakfast on 8 March 2022.