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