Introduction
New Horizons for Women: Hine Kahukura is a nationwide charitable trust that supports education, research, career development and personal growth for women in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The Trust administers an annual financial-support programme for women pursuing tertiary education, entering new career pathways, studying in underrepresented fields or conducting research that benefits women, girls and whānau.
History and Background
New Horizons for Women developed from several strands of women’s advocacy and community action in New Zealand.
Its early foundations can be traced to the 1975 United Women’s Convention, the Society for Research on Women and Business and Professional Women Wellington.
Following the convention, organizers explored the possibility of establishing financial support for women seeking a second opportunity to pursue education. At the same time, the Society for Research on Women developed a proposal to continue research that would benefit women.
Business and Professional Women Wellington also wanted to recognize the contribution of Rita King MBE, who died in 1988. King had been a committed advocate for equal pay and employment opportunities for women, and the organization considered establishing second-chance education scholarships in her memory.
In January 1990, Margaret Shields proposed bringing the interests of these organizations together. Later that year, Shields and Judith Aitken advanced the idea of successful women supporting other women who had been unable to achieve their education and employment goals.
This collaboration led to the establishment of the New Horizons for Women Trust: Hine Kahukura. Over the following decades, the Trust expanded its fundraising, partnerships and annual funding programme while adapting its systems to changing educational and social conditions.
Mission and Purpose
New Horizons for Women exists to support education, innovation and research that benefit women in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Its purpose is to reduce barriers that prevent women from pursuing education, developing confidence, changing careers and contributing valuable research.
The Trust supports women who:
- Pursue tertiary education or vocational training.
- Return to education after an interruption.
- Explore new career pathways.
- Study in industries where women are underrepresented.
- Undertake research benefiting women and girls.
- Develop confidence, leadership and personal capabilities.
- Overcome financial, personal or social barriers.
- Contribute positively to their whānau and communities.
The organization places particular importance on perseverance and potential. Applicants do not need perfect academic records, but they should demonstrate commitment, resilience and a realistic plan for using the support.
Governance and Structure
New Horizons for Women: Hine Kahukura is governed by volunteer trustees. Its daily activities are managed by a paid national trust manager and operations coordinator.
The governance structure separates strategic oversight from operational administration. Trustees are responsible for the Trust’s direction, financial stewardship and alignment with its charitable purpose, while staff coordinate applications, sponsorships, communications and programme delivery.
According to the Trust’s current website, Frances Sheriff serves as chairwoman. Other listed trustees bring experience in education, community development, public policy, banking, local government, nonprofit management, gender equality and Māori and Pacific community leadership.
The Trust’s patron is the Honourable Dame Silvia Cartwright.
Its governance and management activities include:
- Overseeing the annual funding programme.
- Maintaining relationships with sponsors and donors.
- Managing application and selection processes.
- Ensuring responsible use of charitable funds.
- Developing partnerships with community organizations.
- Publishing annual reports and organizational updates.
- Promoting equitable access to education and personal development.
- Maintaining the Trust’s long-term sustainability.
Funding and Grants
New Horizons for Women funds its programmes through donations, sponsorships, philanthropic funds, charitable trusts, partnerships, giving circles and gifts left in wills.
The Trust collaborates with individuals, businesses and community organizations that share its commitment to supporting women’s education and development.
Its funding mechanisms include:
- Sponsored financial awards.
- Named charitable and memorial funds.
- Individual donations.
- Corporate and organizational sponsorships.
- Giving-circle contributions.
- Bequests and gifts in wills.
- Community fundraising.
- The Trust’s endowment fund.
Funding is distributed through an annual online application cycle. Award categories, values, eligibility conditions and available sponsorships may change according to the resources available in each year.
Education Funding
The Trust’s Education Awards help women meet costs associated with pursuing approved tertiary qualifications.
The programme particularly supports women whose educational journeys have not followed a straightforward path. It recognizes applicants who have faced challenges, demonstrated perseverance and remained committed to education or career development.
For the 2026 application cycle, applicants must be enrolled in an NZQA-approved qualification for study in 2027. Eligible study levels and funding values are:
- NZQA Levels 3–4: NZD 1,000.
- NZQA Levels 5–6: NZD 1,500.
- NZQA Level 7: NZD 3,000.
Eligible applicants must generally be New Zealand citizens, hold resident-class visas and live in New Zealand, or have been granted refugee status in New Zealand. Current secondary-school students are not eligible.
Targeted education funding may support:
- Refugee and migrant women.
- Women studying science, technology, engineering or mathematics.
- Women pursuing trade qualifications or apprenticeships.
- Solo mothers whose secondary education was interrupted by teenage motherhood.
- Pasifika women studying early-childhood or primary education.
- Women studying in non-traditional fields.
- Women who demonstrate community leadership.
Research Funding
The Research Awards support women, or groups led by women, conducting research that benefits women and girls in New Zealand.
Funding can help cover research and living expenses. Selection panels consider the project’s quality, methodology, schedule, progress, budget, researcher capability and expected benefit to women, girls or whānau.
Society for Research on Women–Margaret Shields Research Award
This NZD 5,000 grant supports research and related living expenses.
Preference may be given to applicants who have already begun their research and are completing work at master’s, doctoral or postdoctoral level.
Wāhine Ora Award
The Wāhine Ora Award supports research benefiting Māori women, girls and whānau.
It is co-funded by Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga. Two awards worth NZD 10,000 each are available in the 2026 funding cycle.
The project lead must be a wāhine Māori, or the research group must be led by wāhine Māori.
Rosemary Seymour Research Award
The Rosemary Seymour Research Award supports research about women, conducted by women from a feminist perspective.
The award is funded by the Women’s Studies Association Fund. Two NZD 5,000 awards are available in 2026, with one designated for wāhine Māori and another open to all eligible women.
Ria McBride Research Award
This NZD 5,000 grant supports research or living expenses associated with eligible research.
Preference may be given to applicants undertaking master’s or doctoral research that benefits women, girls or whānau in New Zealand.
Victoria League Charitable Trust Research Award
This NZD 5,000 grant assists with research and living expenses.
Applicants must demonstrate that their research will benefit women, girls or whānau. Preference may be given to master’s or doctoral research.
Janus–NGO Research Award
The Janus–NGO Research Award provides NZD 5,000 for research addressing topics connected with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
Relevant subjects may include discrimination, political participation, education, employment, healthcare, economic equality, marriage, family life and the rights of rural women.
Personal Growth Funding
The Trust’s Personal Growth Awards support women participating in Outward Bound New Zealand programmes at Anakiwa in the Marlborough Sounds.
These opportunities are intended to help women develop confidence, leadership, resilience and practical life skills.
Outward Bound Classic Award
The Outward Bound Classic Award supports a three-week course for a woman aged 18–26.
For the 2026 application cycle, the award is valued at NZD 5,595. Travel to and from Anakiwa and the cost of a required medical examination are also covered.
Outward Bound Discovery Award
The Outward Bound Discovery Award supports an eight-day course for a woman aged 27 or older.
The award is valued at NZD 3,650, with travel and medical-examination expenses also covered.
Successful applicants must satisfy Outward Bound’s course-admission requirements, including health, safety and availability conditions.
Major Programs and Initiatives
Annual Financial-Support Programme
The Trust’s primary initiative is its annual programme of education, research and personal-growth funding.
Applications are submitted online during the annual funding cycle. Selection is based on the requirements of each category and the applicant’s circumstances, potential, commitment and expected impact.
Second-Chance Education
Second-chance education has been central to the Trust’s work since its establishment.
This initiative supports women whose education was interrupted by financial hardship, caregiving responsibilities, teenage motherhood, migration, personal challenges or other circumstances.
Funding allows recipients to return to formal education, acquire recognized qualifications and develop new employment opportunities.
Women in Underrepresented Fields
New Horizons for Women supports women entering fields in which female participation has historically been limited.
These opportunities can include science, technology, engineering, mathematics, trades and other non-traditional areas of study or employment.
Research Benefiting Women and Girls
The research programme invests in knowledge that can improve policies, services and social outcomes for women and girls.
Supported research may address gender equality, education, employment, health, Māori and Pacific communities, family wellbeing, discrimination and other issues affecting women in New Zealand.
Leadership and Confidence Development
Through its partnership with Outward Bound New Zealand, the Trust offers structured personal-development opportunities.
Recipients can build resilience, self-confidence, teamwork and leadership capabilities that contribute to their future education, careers and community involvement.
Giving Circles and Community Support
Giving circles allow groups of donors to combine their contributions and collectively support opportunities for women.
The model creates an accessible way for individuals to participate in philanthropy while helping the Trust maintain and expand its annual programme.
Impact and Examples of Work Funded
New Horizons for Women creates impact by reducing financial barriers and helping women continue their education, undertake meaningful research or pursue personal development.
Its support can contribute to:
- Completion of tertiary and vocational qualifications.
- Entry into new professions and industries.
- Greater representation of women in STEM and trades.
- Increased confidence and leadership ability.
- Research that improves outcomes for women and girls.
- Stronger economic security for recipients and their families.
- Greater opportunities for Māori, Pacific, refugee and migrant women.
- Positive social benefits for whānau and communities.
The Trust has supported women studying at certificate, diploma and degree levels across a wide range of disciplines. It has also assisted researchers conducting work from feminist, Māori and community-focused perspectives.
Personal-growth funding has enabled women to attend Outward Bound programmes and develop skills that can influence their education, employment and personal lives.
Awardee accounts published by the Trust describe reduced financial pressure, greater motivation, stronger confidence and improved ability to pursue long-term goals. The organization maintains an Awardee Gallery highlighting women supported through its programmes.
Conclusion
New Horizons for Women: Hine Kahukura is an important charitable organization supporting women’s education, research, leadership and personal development across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Established through collaboration among women’s advocacy, research and professional organizations, the Trust continues its founding commitment to creating second chances and expanding opportunities for women.
Through education funding, research grants, Outward Bound opportunities and targeted support for underrepresented groups, New Horizons for Women helps wāhine overcome barriers and contribute to their whānau, communities and wider society.
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