Dame Hilda Ross Network

The Dame Hilda Ross Network brings together like-minded women from around New Zealand, offering them an opportunity to connect, engage, learn and grow. While offering various avenues to support, nurture and elevate women in our Party.

The Network honours Hon Dame Hilda Ross, a former National MP for Hamilton and just the second New Zealand woman appointed as a cabinet minister. It embodies the strong advocacy Dame Hilda was known for during her tenure as Minister of Welfare of Women and Children (1949-1957) and throughout her 14 years in parliament.

Our aim is simply to connect more centre-right women to the National Party and to identify and mentor the future generation of National women leaders.

The DHRN provides members of the National Party with:

Connections to National women, including our most senior Ministers, Governors, MPs, regional and electorate office holders and members – drawing on the wealth of talent and expertise inside our Party
The Leader’s Toolkit: Leadership, Capability and Confidence
Access to experts in politics from here and abroad – programmes, panels and discussions
Regional events led by MPs around New Zealand
National events, with our MPs and Ministers, at our regional and annual conferences and the annual DHRN Cocktail Party
An opportunity to participate in an annual Parliamentary Internship
National 101 and Campaign College programmes.

Not a member of the National Party? Join here and then sign up to the DHRN.

Download the DHRN 2025 Programme here

Contact us for more information: DameHildaRoss@national.org.nz