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Young Women in Leadership Award

Aims of the award

At Zonta we strive to encourage young women to pursue careers or to seek leadership positions in public policy making, government and volunteer organisations and further their education with these objectives in view.

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The Zonta Young Women in Leadership Award is a Zonta International programme funded by contributions to the Zonta Foundation for Women. Zonta International is a leading global organization of individuals working to build a better world for women and girls.

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The award was in previous years known as the Young Women in Public Affairs award, which the Zonta Club of Wellington has offered to the Wellington region’s young women in their final year of college since 2000.  Zonta International decided to change the name in 2024 to the Young Women in Leadership award to highlight its focus on encouraging young women to take on leadership responsibilities.

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The aim of the Zonta Young Women in Leadership Award is to encourage young women to participate in leadership positions by recognizing the candidate’s commitment to the volunteer sector, evidence of volunteer leadership achievements and a dedication to building a better world for women and girls through service and advocacy. It encourages them to continue their participation in public and political life.

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The award also aims to:

  • build confidence 

  • provide candidates experience with application and interview processes

  • encourage young women to pursue careers or to seek leadership positions in public policy making, government and volunteer organisations and further their education with these objectives in view.

Prize

Prize

The winner receives a NZ$1,000 prize and a certificate and is invited to a celebratory award ceremony jointly hosted by the Zonta Clubs of Wellington and Mana. The 2027 Award Ceremony will be held in Wellington towards the end of January 2027.​

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All club winners subsequently have their application submitted to District 16 — a national winner is then selected to be put forward as the District 16 awardee to be considered for the international award. 

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Award Criteria

Eligibility and award criteria

Who can apply

This award is eligible to women:

  • aged between 16 and 19 (on the first of April each year)

  • living in the Wellington district

 

Applicants from geographic areas within a Zonta district where no clubs are located may apply via a Zonta e-club or directly to District 16 (New Zealand) to be eligible for the international awards.  

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Who cannot apply

  • Previous district and international YWLA recipients.

  • Club members, individuals with direct membership with Zonta International,  employees of Zonta International, Zonta Foundation for Women, their family members (ancestors, descendants, adoptees, siblings, nieces or cousins, and those of their spouse or cohabiting partner).​

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Criteria

Applicants must demonstrate: 

  • An active commitment to volunteerism.

  • Experience in local government, student government, or workplace leadership (paid or unpaid).

  • Volunteer leadership achievements.

  • Knowledge of Zonta International and its programmes.

  • Support for Zonta International’s mission of building a better world for women and girls.

 

How may the award funds be used?

  • There are no restrictions on the use of funds. 

  • Recipients are not permitted to defer the Zonta Young Women in Leadership Award.

  • Recipients may accept additional grants and awards from other sources

Application process

Applicants are required to complete the following documents and submit them to awards@zontawellington.org.nz by the closing date below.

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  • Form 1 - Application Form

  • Form 2 - Verification of Current School Enrolment

  • Form 3 - Privacy Policy and Publicity Authorisation

  • 2 x letters of recommendation, accommpanied by signed Form 4 - Recommendation

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The letters of recommendation and the signed Form 4 must be emailed direct to awards@zontawellington.org.nz with the subject heading "YWLA Recommendation [student name]".

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The following information sheet has some helpful tips to help you complete these forms. 

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2027 Awards Timeline

  • ​​Applications open - Monday 14 September 2026

  • Applications close - Friday 23 October 2026

  • Shortlisted applicants contacted - first week of November 2026

  • Meet the candidates - Saturday 21 November 2026 TBC

  • Award recipients advised - first week of December 2026

  • Award ceremony -  January 2027​​​

Contact

For questions or additional information email:

2026 Young Women in Leadership Award winner: Maia Thompson

The 2026 award winner was chosen following a robust selection process and panel interview involving the Wellington Zonta club members. The calibre of applicants was high, and all of the young women selected for interview were truly impressive.
 
The aim of the Zonta Young Women in Leadership Award (previously known as the Young Women in Public Affairs Award), is to encourage young women to participate in leadership positions by recognizing the candidate’s commitment to the volunteer sector, evidence of volunteer leadership achievements and a dedication to building a better world for women and girls through service and advocacy. It encourages them to continue their participation in public and political life.
 
The Wellington club’s deserving winner, Maia Thompson​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​.

 

Maia is 17 and has just completed her final year at Onslow College. This year, she will begin her studies at the University of Canterbury, where she will study Environmental Science alongside Māori and Indigenous Studies. She is deeply passionate about climate action and the rights and voices of indigenous women, and she aspires to build a future working as an environmental adviser with the Department of Conservation or iwi agencies, before later returning to education to teach te reo Māori at primary school level. 

 

These aspirations are already reflected in Maia’s achievements. She has attained NCEA Level 3 with Excellence endorsement. Within her school and wider community, Maia has demonstrated outstanding leadership as Kaitātaki Wāhine of her kapa haka group, Māori Student Representative on the Board of Trustees, Peer Supporter, and Creative Director of Showquest, where she led a powerful, culturally grounded performance sharing Māori pūrākau with a wider audience.

 

Outside of her studies, Maia devotes much of her time to kapa haka and the performing arts, including singing, composing, and dance. Maia is fluent in Te Reo Maori. She also gives back as a swim instructor and sports coach, and through her involvement in national movements such as School Strike 4 Climate NZ and Toitū te Tiriti.

 

At the heart of everything Maia does is a simple and powerful aspiration — to make a difference and leave the world better than she found it. 

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