The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) has launched its Top of the South chapter, marking a milestone for women working in the building and construction sector across the Nelson, Tasman, and Marlborough regions. The launch event was attended by industry leaders, local government representatives, and members from across the top of the South Island.
“It’s great to see how the representation of women in construction has grown,” said Marlborough Mayor Nadine Taylor at the launch. “Today they are hard at work in just about every job — quantity surveyors, project managers, suppliers, planners, architects, engineers, tradespeople, students, apprentices, health and safety managers, and lawyers, to name a few.”
Why the Top of the South Needed Its Own Chapter
NAWIC has national chapters in major centres, but the Nelson-Tasman-Marlborough region — one of New Zealand’s most active construction markets, driven by the wine industry, tourism infrastructure, and significant residential growth — had been underserved. Women working in the sector in the region had limited access to the mentoring, networking, and advocacy resources that NAWIC chapters provide in larger cities.
The new chapter will deliver events, speaker panels, site visits, and mentoring opportunities tailored to the regional industry. It will also connect members with national NAWIC initiatives including the annual awards programme and advocacy work with central government.
Representation Still Has a Long Way to Go
Nationally, women represent approximately 13% of the construction industry. On-tools, the figure drops to around 3%. NAWIC President Colleen Upton has been direct about what needs to change: worksite culture, flexible working options, basic facilities on site, and equal pay for equivalent roles.
“When there are huge skills shortages, why do we not look at half of the population?” Upton has said. “They can and will do these jobs — if the industry makes them welcome.”
For Employers in the Region
Businesses in the Nelson-Tasman-Marlborough area that want to attract and retain female employees now have a local NAWIC chapter to partner with. Sponsoring chapter events, offering site visits for women considering construction careers, and actively supporting flexible working arrangements are practical steps that go beyond statements of intent.
The construction sector’s skills shortage is real. Broadening the talent pool to actively include women — who are currently vastly underrepresented — is one of the most direct responses available to regional employers.