Our Mentoring Circles bring small groups together to connect and have honest conversations about working in tech – the wins, the challenges, and what comes next.
They’re about making a welcoming, trusted space for shared reflection, peer support, and learning from each other.
What are Mentoring Circles?
Mentoring Circles are small, peer-based groups that meet regularly over five months to reflect, explore ideas, and support one another through their careers.
- 6 participants + 2 facilitators
- Monthly sessions from July to November 2026
- 60 minutes per session
- In-person or virtual options
Groups stay together throughout the programme, so trust can build over time and conversations can go deeper.
Each circle chooses its session topics together, drawing from this year’s themes:
- Confidence & Career Direction
- Leadership & Influence
- Navigating Change, Stretch & Uncertainty
- Sustaining a career in tech alongside other life commitments
- Technical Mastery (Staying on the technical path)
- Recent developments in technology & the changing world of work
Roles in a circle
Mentoring Circles are peer-based. Everyone contributes from their own experience.
Participants take part in conversations, reflections, and shared learning. Curiosity and openness to learn are what matter most.
Facilitators help guide the conversation and create a safe, inclusive environment. They don’t teach or advise, and they’re not expected to be experts. Facilitators start each topic from a provided session guide, but can adapt these based on the energy and experiences of the group.
We’re looking for facilitators who:
- Care about helping others feel heard and included,
- Are comfortable guiding discussion without dominating it, and
- Are reflective, curious, and open to learning from different perspectives themselves
Being a facilitator is an incredible opportunity to give back while further developing your leadership skills!
When and where
Mentoring Circles run across multiple locations, with virtual options available.
When you apply, you’ll be able to select the locations or formats that work for you.
Auckland
AWS, L13, 15 Customs Street, PwC Tower, Customs Street West, Auckland CBD
Location Leads: Petra, Jyothi & Danielle
- Wednesday 15 July, 5:00pm – 6:30pm
- Wednesday 19 August, 5:00pm – 6:30pm
- Wednesday 16 September, 5:00pm – 6:30pm
- Wednesday 21 October, 5:00pm – 6:30pm
- Wednesday 18 November, 5:00pm – 6:30pm
Hamilton
Tuatahi First Fibre, 11 Ken Browne Drive, Te Rapa, Hamilton
Location Lead: Kate
- Thursday 23 July, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Thursday 27 August, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Thursday 24 September, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Thursday 22 October, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Thursday 26 November, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Palmerston North
Yorb, 40 King Street, Palmerston North
Location Lead: Heather
- Wednesday 15 July, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Wednesday 19 August, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Wednesday 16 September, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Wednesday 14 October, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Wednesday 18 November, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Wellington
Deloitte Wellington, Level 12, 20 Customhouse Quay
Location Lead: Jemma
- Thursday 16 July, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Thursday 20 August, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Thursday 17 September, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Thursday 15 October, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Thursday 19 November, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Nelson
Boat House, 326 Wakefield Quay, Stepneyville, Nelson
Location Lead: Rustica Lamb
- Monday 6 July, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Monday 3 August, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Monday 7 September, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Monday 5 October, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Monday 2 November, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Christchurch
Deloitte Christchurch, Level 4 Café, 151 Cambridge Terrace, Christchurch
Location Leads: Sarah and Alison
- Thursday 19 November, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Thursday 23 July, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Thursday 20 August, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Thursday 17 September, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Thursday 15 October, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Queenstown
Location Lead: Jenni
- Monday 20 July, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Monday 17 August, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Monday 14 September, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Monday 19 October, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Monday 16 November, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Virtual
Session days and times will be set based on each circle’s availability. In past years, both weekday lunchtime and evening options have been offered.
Virtual circles will begin in the week of 13 July.
Ready to join a circle?
Mentoring Circles are open to Tech Women members and members of Tech New Zealand organisations. We welcome people at all career stages – whether you’re early in your journey, deeply experienced, or navigating change.
Apply now to join as a participant or facilitator in 2026.
Applications close Sunday 14 June.