Become a MENTEE

Becoming a New Zealand Women in Wine Mentee

It is hoped that the 2024 mentoring programme will enable one person from each of the 9 New Zealand wine regions to be paired in a mentoring relationship with an experienced mentor from the wine industry within their region. This is subject to the number of applications received and suitable matches available.  In regions where there are multiple applicants we also hope to match other suitable pairs, reaching a total of 12 mentor-mentee matches in total around the country.

Why mentoring and what does it involve? 

Mentoring is a process of matching an individual (mentee) with a trusted and experienced individual (mentor).  It is important to recognise that mentoring is not coaching or training. Your mentor will not tell you how to do your job or solve your problems directly, but they will support you and use their considerable experience to help you understand better what you hope to achieve within your career.  They will share their wealth of experience and networks with you to help you achieve your goals.  They will guide you and encourage different ways of thinking.  Although the programme is for six months, the value of a mentor relationship can last far longer.

In order to cover the costs of running the programme a sum of $1250 + GST will be paid by the successful mentee applicants. We believe this is a fantastic opportunity and investment in self development.  The fee includes the induction workshop plus six one on one meetings with your mentor.   (Please note that all mentors are providing their time and expertise voluntarily and receive no payment other than travel to their training session.).

We anticipate that there will be considerable interest in the programme and therefore it is likely to be over subscribed, however, this will not stop applicants from applying again in the future.

If you feel you would benefit and would like to be considered for mentoring, please ensure you satisfy the criteria below and submit the application form by 3 June 2024.

Criteria for being a mentee

  • you are committed to developing your career within the New Zealand wine industry
  • you have the time and headspace to commit to the programme and the work which runs alongside it.  NB you will need time to prepare for your meetings and also action what was discussed before the next meeting.  This is a serious but very rewarding commitment. 
  • you are willing to sign an agreement outlining your commitment to a six month programme involving one meeting with your mentor per month. The first will be face to face and following meetings may be a mix of phone, virtual or face to face. Note that this is to ensure the mentee benefits from the arrangement as much as possible.
  • you are willing to pay the sum as outlined in the application process, which goes towards the cost of running the programme within 5 days of receiving an offer to be on the programme. (This is to cover some of the overheads connected with the programme (eg. mentor and mentee induction sessions). Please note this sum is not given to the mentors, who are working on a voluntary basis.  It will need to be paid by direct payment to New Zealand Winegrowers. 
  • you understand that any additional costs incurred are to be met by the mentee. These are likely to be small costs including own travel to meeting, coffee, etc.
  • you acknowledge that any mentoring is provided in good faith as a sharing of experience and knowledge and that neither the Mentor or New Zealand Winegrowers will be liable in any way for any loss and/or damage that may arise from the mentoring relationship, including by the Mentee’s reliance on information, guidance or advice provided by the Mentor.
  • you confirm that the company you work for/own is a member of New Zealand Winegrowers
  • you are a New Zealand citizen or resident or working towards this.
  • you have completed the application form and attached your current CV.
  • you have provided details of two referees

Should you be shortlisted for the programme there may be a quick telephone interview before final matches are made.

All applicants will be contacted by mid June 2024  after the selection panel has made its decision.

All applications will be treated in absolute confidence.

If you are unable to access the Application Form and work for a NZ Winegrowers' member organisation, please contact Hannah Stanton-Kerr (hannah@nzwine.com) to request a login.

Otherwise please email womeninwine@nzwine.com and request the relevant MENTEE or MENTOR form.

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