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OLIVIA WENSLEY SHAKES THE TREE
by Metropol
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Acatalyst of the #metoo movement in the legal industry, and the CEO of Startup Queenstown Lakes Olivia Wensley is now looking to add “mayor” to her roles. If successful, she will be the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) second only female mayor, and also its youngest. When working as a lawyer, Olivia noticed what she described as a “consistent theme of brilliant woman being overlooked and treated badly”. Eventually, it became so bad that she felt she could no longer continue in the profession. “I just could not imagine having a family, and making partner, and being treated in a fair way,” she explains. After leaving the profession, Olivia realised that she was in a position to speak out, and she did. “I was afraid for my personal safety, but I think that if you don’t speak up, when you see wrongdoing, then you’re just enabling it.” She took to LinkedIn to share her own experiences. On that digital platform, her open letter “We need to talk about law’s dirty little secret” went viral. “And then I kept being called brave over and over again. I found that quite disconcerting because it implies that there’s something to be afraid of. Right?” Olivia’s letter ultimately led to the reform of Lawyer’s Conduct Rules to better protect practitioners against sexual assault and harassment. “The legal profession has a long way to go until it’s modernised, but this was a start,” she says. As CEO of Startup Queenstown Lakes, a charitable trust which supports and educates entrepreneurs, Olivia Wensley continues to channel her passion for female empowerment. “I like to shake the tree and get real disruption in a positive way,” she laughs.
Olivia has been focused on raising the region's female-led startup quota. In 2020, tech startup founders in the CentralLakes startup ecosystem were 100 percent male. In the past 24 months, Olivia has focused on "tipping the scales" and driving the participation of women in founder programmes to 55-75 percent. “We've amazing innovation popping up throughout our country. I was in Christchurch just recently for a woman founders’ event called Electrify Aotearoa, New Zealand's fi rst female incubator for women founders.” In May, Olivia announced she’s running for the QLDC mayoral seat. “I want to bring a diversity of thinking into local politics,” she explains. Since launching her campaign, she has noticed the focus is always on one thing, her age. “I fi nd it really interesting that I'm being called young all the time for this role. Because I'm not young. “I'm exactly the age of the average Kiwi.” She explains that this is problematic as it stems from a local government, where there’s very little diversity. “We need to diversify our thinking. If we always
get people that are a similar age, similar gender, and similar background, this won’t happen.” Olivia believes that people are focusing on her age because she “looks di erent to your typical mayor”. “I think the average age for a mayor in New Zealand is 65. And it's [the role] overwhelmingly dominated by men.” She hopes that her campaign will inspire other young women to step up and become leaders. “I hope to get younger people thinking, hey, that could be me, that could be me running for council, that could be me running for leadership positions.” Whatever her own “If you want to outcome, Olivia see the change, believes that it will be worth it if she you have to be motivates other young the change,” leaders to come forward. “If it gets a new generation engaged in local democracy, then then that is exactly what we all need. “If you want to see the change, you have to be the change,” she explains. For Olivia, “shaking of the tree” is not limited to her career. In November 2021, she helped a 22-year-old woman who was born in the Gloriavale cult, escape. She and her family housed and assisted the woman and her mother to safely integrate into society. When asked about the future, Olicia says she would like to see brilliant women putting themselves forward for leadership roles and not feeling as though they have to talk themselves out of it. “I have a daughter, and I'm trying to lead the path for her.”
2022
and Sculpture Exhibition
Opening night: Friday 2 September, 7pm
Purchase your tickets: trybooking.co.nz/KNC Public Exhibition: Free Admission Saturday 3 September, 9am – 4pm Sunday 4 September, 10am – 2pm St Margaret’s College Gymnasium
HEALTH CARE funded BY
generosity
The strain on the healthcare system in New Zealand is not news to most of us, with a continued lack of money and resources in the sector. Making a real difference in the lives of many Cantabrians who need medical help is a group of volunteers dedicated to doing what they can, with what they have to offer.
The Canterbury Charity Hospital Trust was established by the community, for the community. During the past 17 years, an incredible number of doctors, nurses, dentists, health professionals, and administration sta have volunteered their time and expertise to make a di erence to Christchurch’s health care. With no Government funding, the hospital relies solely on donations, grants, and the kindness of the wider community. Originally opened in 2007 to provide day surgery facilities and medical clinics, the hospital has since expanded and grown into an impressive facility. It now includes additional theatre space, an endoscopy unit, a dental unit and oral surgery, consulting rooms, a large community room, and educational/ research facilities. You can support this local charity by attending the following events:
CORPUS MEDICORUM CONCERT
A Melbourne-based medical orchestra, Corpus Medicorum will perform in Christchurch this September to raise funds for the Canterbury Charity Hospital. A talented group of doctors, medical students, and health professionals, the orchestra is widely known for presenting a much-loved concert series at Melbourne Recital Centre. To date, it has donated more than $1 million to charities all over the world. The Christchurch symphony concert will feature works by Weber, Elgar, and Brahms, as well as a special solo performance by guest cellist Catherine Kwak.
WHEN: Wednesday 21 September, 7.30pm WHERE: Christchurch Town Hall Auditorium TICKETS: $60/$25 and can be bought from premier.ticketek.co.nz Kindly supported by MAS.
ROARING 20s CHARITY BALL
Dance the night away at this fabulous fundraising event for the Canterbury Charity Hospital. The Ball is being held in the Limes Room at the incredible Christchurch Town Hall. Guests will be treated to a delicious three-course plated dinner, drinks, entertainment, and auctions. A fun-fi lled evening to splash out, get dressed up, and let your hair down with colleagues, friends, and family. Tickets are available now.
WHEN: Friday 2 December, 6.30pm WHERE: Limes Room, Christchurch Town Hall TICKETS: $170 per guest, or $1700 for a table of 10 (all inclusive). Purchase now from the website below.
UPCOMING FUNDRAISING EVENTS
What’s on
It’s all things music, arts and fun taking place in Christchurch and other major centres too.
AUGUST
19 AUG - 5 SEPT - LES MISERABLES
Seen by more than 130 million people worldwide, and after an absence of 20 years in Wellington, the acclaimed musical phenomenon Les Misérables is returning to the city. www.gntproductions.co.nz
19 - 21 AUGUST - THE FOOD SHOW
If you are looking for ideas in the kitchen, head to The Food Show at Christchurch Arena where the team will be serving up plates of inspiration, education and temptation. www.foodshow.co.nz
26 AUGUST - NZ SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra will perform a selection of the most exciting and beautiful works of the baroque era at the James Hay Theatre. www.nzso.co.nz
SEPTEMBER
3 - 4 SEPTEMBER - ART EXHIBITION
St Margaret’s art and scultpture exhibition is back, featuring leading New Zealand artists, and a collection of modern art generously presented for sale by the Rutherford family. www.trybooking.co.nz/KNC
10 SEPT - BLACK GRACE
Leading New Zealand contemporary dance company BLACK GRACE tours, sharing an original programme of dances choreographed by founding Artistic Director, Neil Ieremia. www.ticketek.co.nz
UNTIL
17
SEPTEMBER
FLAGONS & FOXTROTS
A nostalgic comedy that guarantees laughter and tears. This feel-good show follows the trials and tribulations of a young group chasing their dreams in the Saturday night dance hall scene. Showing from 13 August to 17 September. www.courttheatre.org.nz
COMING LATER
21 SEPT - CORPUS MEDICORUM CONCERT
Corpus Medicorum, a Melbourne-based orchestra of doctors, medical students and health professionals, is performing to raise funds for the Canterbury Charity Hospital. premier.ticketek.co.nz
THURS 27
OCTOBER
CHRISTMAS COUNTRY FÊTE
Mark your calenders as the Fête is back at Amberley House this year, with wonderful stalls and great parking. The beautiful Amberley House Gardens will be open to all ticket holders. www.thefete.co.nz
THURS 27 OCTOBER 9.30am - 3.30pm AMBERLEY HOUSE
Entrance at 258 Amberley Beach Rd A fabulous day out with lots of unique handmade gifts, with a great wine and food area. Tickets on sale at: WWW.THEFETE.CO.NZ
