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You won’t believe how these young women are changing the game
In November 2025, more than 70 young women from Whangārei Girls’ High, Otamatea High, Tauraroa Area School and Renew School came together at Maungaturoto Country Club for an experiential day focused on growing more than plants.
More than just an experience: 70 young women from Whangārei Girls’ High, Otamatea High, Tauraroa Area School and Renew School came together at Maungaturoto Country Club for Girls who Grow.
Hosted by Girls who Grow, the event encouraged confidence, leadership and a deep connection to the whenua, to each other and to the opportunities ahead.
Girls who Grow began at Lake Hawea Station in 2021, progressed through the CreativeHQ GovTech Accelerator in 2022 and shared its vision at the Beehive that same year.
After successful pilots in Otago schools, the kaupapa has now reached Te Taitokerau.
Today, Girls who Grow is building a supportive whānau where young women can develop skills and resilience for a future in climate-positive agriculture and horticulture.
The day at Maungaturoto opened with a mihi from Te Uri O Hau, connecting everyone to the space. Then the mahi began.
Students rotated through seven interactive stations designed to spark creativity and practical thinking.
They learned how to propagate native plants, explored edible landscapes and foraging, discovered the art of growing microgreens, delved into plant identification, composting and waste reduction and learned the vital role water plays in sustaining life and the whenua.
Morning tea and lunch, prepared by Amber’s Kitchen using local produce, added a taste of sustainability to the day.
Morning tea and lunch was prepared by Amber’s Kitchen using local produce.
In the afternoon, storytelling took centre stage, with Catherine Murupaenga-Ikenn from Climate Change Tai Tokerau Northland, Anita from Te Uri O Hau, Josie from the Graeme Dingle Foundation and Nadia from Nadia’s Market Garden sharing personal experiences in climate resilience and leadership.
The response to the event was powerful. Participants spoke about how much they valued the chance to be hands-on and how the stories felt relatable.
For Catherine van der Meulen, co-founder of Girls Who Grow, the day was about more than skills:
“Our vision is to create a space where young women feel confident and connected. Agriculture needs their creativity and leadership and this programme shows them what is possible.”
Storytelling took centre stage, with the panel of women sharing personal experiences in climate resilience and leadership.
Susan Karels, Education Manager at Northland Regional Council, says the energy was inspiring:
“These students were curious and ready to explore how they can make a difference for the environment and their communities. It was a privilege to see that spark.”
It was clear this day was more than an event; it was the beginning of a movement, empowering young women to lead with creativity, care for the whenua and shape a climate-positive future.
Girls who Grow is not stopping here.
Next steps include farm visits, a one-day Imagination Challenge focused on design thinking and nature-based solutions and a 12 to 18 month mentorship programme for selected students.
The Girls who Grow experiential day was more than an event; it was the beginning of a movement, empowering young women to lead with creativity, care for the whenua, and shape a climate-positive future.
