Kia Orana and welcome to BPW update on Woman of the Year 2010/11 Award in Association with Westpac Cook Islands, held 10th June 2011 at Muri Beach Club Hotel, Muri, Rarotonga.

Firstly I would like to congratulate all the nominees - Vaine Nooana Arioka, Julie Bateman, Kay George, Maeva Henry, Moana Hunter, Nadine Newnham, Shona Pitt, Madeline Sword, Rosa Tauia, Glenda Tuaine, Tai Wichman and your nominator's who believed in you and nominated you.

Nominations closed Monday 30th May 2011 and an Independent judging panel held the judging process Thursday 2nd June to select only one winner.
It was an enormous task and was never going to be an easy one for these 5 judges - Aunty Mau Munokoa, Steve Anderson, Teresa Manarangi'Trott, Keta Williams and Marie Francis. No one knew who the judges were or how many, only the BPW WOTY Executive Team and this would also be announced on the night.
The caliber of the nominees was such it sent the judges into "look down mode" until they reached a decision.
This they did some 2 hours later and only the judges knew who the WOTY 2010/11 was until the night of the Awards, where the winner would be announced.

The BPW Committee got busy organising the event, which went into overdrive once we knew just how the tickets were selling and it was a sellout. In fact we had to add extra seating outside around the pool area at Muri Beach Club Hotel and thank you to Kelly Bullivant, BPW's Treasurer and Liana Scott, Manger of the Hotel, this was speedily done.
Timing for the event kicked off at 6pm and the evening saw quite a few guests arrive early.
Champagne was ready for the arriving guests at reception area and guests moved down towards the restaurant, on the beautiful Muri Beach.
Our BPW gals were at the ready to escort dignitaries and guests to their respective seats and let the show begin.
I had asked Frances Topa-Apera Fariu to be our MC for the evening and just as Frances delivered such a professional job back in 2003, when I had asked her to be BPW WOTY MC, she delivered a superb evening line up at this event as well.
Our entertainment for the evening was the gorgeous Tara Kauvai, who's magical voice is a dream to listen to.
The Opening Prayer was given by Te Tika Mataiapo Dorice Reid, who was honored at these Awards by receiving the Inaugural BPW Patron's Award. It is with much sadness our beloved Life Member of BPW, Dorice Reid passed away 16th June 2011 in Auckland, NZ.

With the President's and the Patron's speeches done, it was time for Mr Rob Buick, Manager, Westpac Cook Islands to address the waiting crowd and advise Westpac's sponsorship and then kai kai (food) time and the buffet which was a delight with the many dishes to choose from plus the lovely dessert, Liana and her team did the Hotel proud.
There was much speculation who was going to win, but only the judges knew and it was with much anticipation when the Chief Judge Mr Steve Anderson got up to advise the audience how they reached their decision. He then handed the sealed envelope over to me to announce who was going to take the Award home and just over NZ$13.000.00 in prizes, including a Westpac Cook Islands bank account of NZ$2500.00.
"And to announce the winner of BPW Woman of the Year 2010/11 goes to Nadine Newnham".
A huge round of applause saw the house come down and a very humble Nadine came to the stage to accept the trophy and all the sponsored gifts she would receive and also give her address.
It was a fantastic event, one the Cook Islands Business and Professional Women's Association can be proud of and carry this on recognising women in business and the profession's, recognising the important role women play in ours and every community around the world.

I would like to acknowledge Rob Buick of Westpac Cook Islands for coming on board as our major sponsor, to our other main sponsors, Air NZ, Air Rarotonga, Pacific Resort - Aitutaki, Muri Beach Club Hotel and Bergman and Sons and to all our other sponsors, with out people like you and your businesses, there would be no WOTY. BPW are very grateful for your continued support for this Award and thank you all.
I would also like to thank our Committee who gave so generously of their time and energy, our husbands and partners who supported us during the lead up to and delivering these amazing Awards, to Liana Scott and her Muri Beach Club Hotel Team, it was a truly blessed event and evening and to everyone who came along to this event and made it so special.

Meitaki maata

Dawn Baudinet
President
CIBPWA

CIBPW Executive Committee 2010/11

The following are the current Executive Committee of BPW - Cook Islands

President - Dawn Baudinet
1st Vice President - Trish Barton
2nd Vice President - Theresa Barrett
Secretary - Shannon Saunders
Treasurer - Kelly Bullivant
Committee Members:
Jenner Davis
Teina Mackenzie
Gaye Whitta

CIBPW - Woman of The Year 2010/11 Award

Kia Orana,

The Cook Islands Business & Professional Women's Association are hosting the 2010/11 Woman of The Year Awards, Friday 10th June 2011 at Muri Beach Resort Hotel, Muri, Rarotonga, Cook Islands in Association with Westpac Bank, Rarotonga.

Nomination Forms can be picked up from Westpac Bank, Stationery Supplies or CITC Pharmacy. Nominations close Monday 30th May 2011.
Once completed, place in a sealed envelope and pop into one of the special boxes Stationery Supplies or CITC Pharmacy.

This Award will recognise the success of one woman in her chosen profession. You do not have to own your own business but you must be in the work force. You could also work in the Public Sector, as a dental nurse, nurse, school teacher, police woman, firefighter as your chosen field of work.

BPW have not held this Award since 2006 and we are bringing this back to celebrate the achievements of our local women.
Part of the criteria - you must be a Cook Islander or Permanent Residence (PR status).

There will be 5 Independent Judges who will select the winner of this Award. BPW Executive Committee will not be part of the selection process of the winner, only in the selection of the judges.

The prize package includes a $2500.00 (cash) bank a/c with Westpac Bank, a return trip to NZ courtesy of Air NZ, Rarotonga, return airfares for 2 to Aitutaki, flying Air Rarotonga, a fabulous piece of jewellery from Berman's, a 2 night stay at the beautiful Pacific Resort & Spa in Aitutaki and much, much more.

BPW would like to thank Westpac Bank for coming on board as this year's major sponsor. We would like to thank Air NZ and Air Rarotonga who have continued to support these Awards over the year's.
We would also like to thank the new support we have from Bergman & Sons, Pacific Resort & Spa in Aitutaki for their generous contribution and all our other sponsors.
It goes without saying, if we did not have the support from our local businesses, this Award would not be possible.

Meitaki maata

Dawn Baudinet
President
CIBPW

Westpac Cash Flow Workshop

Business & Professional Women's Association would like to thank Megan Shannon & Rob Buick of Westpac Bank Cook Islands, for hosting a cashflow workshop for especially for our organization. The workshop last Wednesday, 18th of May, 2011 at Edgewater Resort & Spa was very beneficial to our members and entertaining. We would like to thank all those who attended, and hope that our young ladies from Tereora College gained a very valueable experience from this workshop.

Meitaki maata
Dawn Baudinet
President