Great event to support Wairarapa TPU featuring world cup winning coach
New Zealand’s sporting leadership is world-famous, and on Thursday night some of the country’s most successful sporting leaders came together to support Wairarapa’s teen parent mentoring programme.
Big Talk Little Talks was set up to support Leaving The Ladder Down, an initiative which connects parents from the Wairarapa Teen Parent Unit with mentors. Organised by Women Who Make The Calls (WWMTC) and REAP Wairarapa, the event was far from a typical evening of speeches.
Debbie Fuller, former player and now Assistant Coach of the Silver Ferns, led with the “big talk”, while “small talks” were delivered by athletes and leaders from disciplines as wide-ranging as waka ama, equestrian and motorcycle racing. Over 200 people attended the sold-out event and the night also included a silent auction, with all proceeds from the night going directly to Leaving the Ladder Down.
“It was wonderful to see such a cross-section of the community come out to support such a great programme,” says Trudy Sears of REAP Wairarapa.
“[The speakers] all talked about resilience and how you cope with challenging situations,” she says. “And that was a powerful message for everyone to hear.”
REAP Wairarapa provides significant support to a number of community initiatives and WWMTC founder Mena Antonio says she is grateful for the organisation’s assistance in growing the Leaving the Ladder Down programme.
“The mission is to build diverse leadership from the ground up,” says Antonio. “We grow people, not buildings.”
“[So far] eight women are paired to mentor teen mums and the funds raised enable us to mentor more mums.”
Wings over Wairarapa manager Jenny Gasson, former Superbike racer Aaron Slight, Black Stick Dane Lett, Waka Ama champion Patrick “Paddy” Rimene, former Māori All Black Shannon Paku, and Equestrian NZ High Performance Director Sarah “Cec” Dalziell all had their place at the podium.
Along with resilience, strong leadership and the support of others were common threads, and event attendees were treated to unique insights into the minds and experiences of the country’s sporting elite.
The amount raised for Leaving the Ladder Down is yet to be finalised, but according to Sears, the audience couldn’t have been more supportive.
“Everybody there was really interested, and all six speakers were really amazing,” she says. “It was a real success.”
Other event supporters include Matahiwi Wines, Hello World Travel, Trust House, and Sellar & Sellar Accountants.
Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑
Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.
We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
Want to read more? The Press has you covered!
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53% Human-centred experience and communication
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15.7% Critical thinking
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28.8% Resilience and adaptability
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2.5% Other - I will share below!
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
SHOP LOCAL THIS WEEKEND - FARMERS MARKET SOLWAY SHOWGROUNDS JUDDS ROAD MASTERTON
Come along to our Farmers Market & Crafts held EVERY Saturday Rain or Shine
BRING YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS ALONG FOR MORNING TEA AND COFFEE, AND HAVE A BROWSE AROUND OUR WONDERFUL MARKET
HOT OFF THE PRESS:
DANIEL’S SPUDS Agria potatoes freshly dug this week.
WHAREMUKU ORCHARD is back this week also.
FRESH LOCAL VEGES also for sale
THE CLAREVILLE BAKERY with all our customer favourites.
And of course, there is always lots on offer: Hot Food, fresh Coffee, Fresh Vege stall, Yummy Honey, fresh bread to name just a few.
We have a fabulous array of creative gifts on display and available for purchase.
wooden toys, embroidered tea towels, olive oil, Crocheted toys, woollen items to mention just a few
We even have live music to get your toes tapping and we are always ready for a friendly chat. For a great day out or an early morning visit we have something for everyone.
We have a new Facebook page:
Wairarapa Farmers Market 2025 - have a look and view our newsletter for this week, or alternatively sign up to receive the newsletter into your inbox.
We also have a Eftpos terminal where you can access cash for your Farmers Market purchases. Come and have a look, I’m sure you will be pleasantly surprised.
Look forward to seeing you.
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