During the 2012 AusIMM NZ Branch conference in Rotorua a meeting was held to consider forming a NZ chapter of Women In Mining, an organisation which has branches all over the world including a strong following in Australia. From this discussion it was decided, with the advice and guidance of our AusIMM WIMnet Australian counterparts, to formalise and form Women in Mining New Zealand (WIMNZ). Straterra Inc. holds the secretariat for WIMNZ with the support of the AusIMM WIMnet. 

Our first resolution was to not exclude men! The main focus of WIMNZ is to provide a platform for discussion, networking and professional development for women involved in the mining and resource sector. This will be achieved by the organisation of events, possibly a regional first, with a view to grow membership and organise a larger event in a central location (possibly around the AusIMM NZ Branch conference). 

The WIMNZ LinkedIn Group has been created as a first step to connecting members and developing a forum for discussion and networking. There is no membership fee associated with WIMNZ. The aim is to encourage and motivate as many people as possible to join the LinkedIn group, get involved in organising networking events and provide another forum for industry to communicate in. The success of this group is dependent on the enthusiasm and direction given by members.