“Women Shaping Policing”
Police Federation of Australia Women’s Advisory Committee Conference (PFA WAC)
28-29 April, Wellington
The New Zealand Police Association is hosting the Police Federation of Australia Women’s Advisory Committee Conference
(PFA WAC) from Tuesday 28 to Wednesday 29 April, at the James Cook Grand Chancellor Hotel, Wellington.
25 delegates from Australia and New Zealand will attend the two-day forum.
PFA WAC was formed in January 2000 by the Police Federation of Australia to address the under-representation of women in
police services and police unions in Australia and New Zealand. The committee is made up of women elected as officials
in their police unions or a chosen representative.
Under the theme of ‘Women shaping policing’, delegates will hear from women in leadership roles and discuss ways to
encourage women to get more involved in police union activities.
Guest speakers are: Labour MP and former Police Minister Annette King; Police Deputy Chief Executive (people) Fiona
Michel; and Radio New Zealand broadcaster Kathryn Ryan.
Police Association President Greg O’Connor will open the conference on Tuesday morning and Association CEO Heather Verry
will address the delegates. Association activist Detective Sergeant Marcia Murray will host a Q panel session on what is working in each jurisdiction.
Media representatives are invited to attend the following sessions.
0900-1030 Tuesday 28 April
Conference opening and powhiri
A powhiri, which will include a welcome by Police Association President Greg O’Connor and PFA Vice President Scott
Weber, will be followed by an opening address from Police Association CEO Heather Verry.
1100-1130 Tuesday 28 April
Fiona Michel, Deputy Chief Executive People, NZ Police
Before joining Police in 2014, Fiona had a 20-year career in the technology, banking and insurance sectors in New
Zealand and Australia.
1130-1200 Tuesday 28 April
Marcia Murray, Detective Sergeant, Auckland Police
Marcia Murray will present, then host a Q session with delegates on what is working in each jurisdiction.
1200-1230 Tuesday 28 April
Hon Annette King, MP, Labour Party
Annette King has been the MP for Rongotai since 1993. She is currently the deputy leader of the Opposition and holds the
Health portfolio.
1400-1430 Tuesday 28 April
Kathryn Ryan, Broadcaster, Radio New Zealand
Kathryn Ryan has wide-ranging journalism and broadcasting experience in the print, radio and television industries.
Sessions will be held in Chancellor 3, 16th floor, James Cook Grand Chancellor Hotel, The Terrace, Wellington.
Media wishing to attend any or all of these sessions should RSVP to vikki.carter@policeassn.org.nz on Friday 24 April,
and must make themselves known to Police Association staff on arrival at the event. Other than the sessions outlined
above, conference attendance is restricted to delegates and invited guests only.