He Wahine Maori Ahau is an inspirational speaker series focussing on the experience of Wahine Maori in the Public Service. The topic of yesterday's forum at the National Library was 'The Impact of the past on women today'. Dame Cindy was welcomed with a powhiri before being joined on the podium by senior public servants Heather Baggott, Deputy Public Service Commissioner; and Melanie Mark-Shadbolt, Deputy Secretary Tūmatakōkiri at the Ministry for the Environment. A common theme in all their korero was the enduring influence of significant women in their formative years, and their ongoing responsibility to support the growth of future leaders. Dame Cindy also took the opportunity to visit He Tohu, where she was delighted to discern the signatures of her tipuna on the parchment Tiriti o Waitangi, signed on 6 February 1840 in Waitangi.
