Organisers Haley Van Leeuwen and Carolyn Edwards were thrilled with the number attending to hear guest speaker Summerset Group chief executive Norah Barlow talk about her career and the changes being undertaken in the retirement home industry.
Mrs Van Leeuwen, a sharebroker with Forsyth Barr, said the aim of the network was to hold a series of different events for women to attend, some of them lunches and others pure networking events, where those attending would be encouraged to do business together.
"We also hope to organise networking tours where events are hosted in boardrooms and selected workplaces."
Asked if there was a need in the community for the new women's business network, Mrs Van Leeuwen said the numbers spoke for themselves. Other women who intended becoming members had apologised for not attending yesterday, due to work and other commitments.
The aim was to grow the network's data base and grow the regular attendance at events.
"You can have the biggest database in the world but it's important to increase the percentage of those attending."
