Women Are Building Serious Wealth - And They Have The Edge

New Zealand women are highly capable when it comes to money - and are increasingly turning that into real wealth across property, business, ecommerce and investing.

From multimillion-dollar businesses to large-scale property portfolios, women are already achieving strong financial outcomes. What’s becoming clear is the appetite to go further - alongside a growing demand for clearer direction on how to get started and what to do next.

Research from the Financial Services Council of New Zealand shows Kiwi women are more financially literate than men, with 66% correctly answering key financial questions compared to 57% of men.

Part of that shift is how women approach money. Research consistently shows women tend to take a longer-term view, do more research before acting, and are less likely to make impulsive or high-risk decisions. They are also less prone to overconfidence, with fewer expecting to outperform the market - a trait often linked to more disciplined, consistent returns over time.

That gap between capability and action is driving demand for more practical, accessible guidance - and for spaces that help connect the dots for women who have the drive but lack the confidence to take action.

It’s also what sits behind Women Building Wealth with Purpose, a new Auckland-based event created in response to that unmet need for guidance, mentoring and coaching in wealth-building.

The event brings together women who are experts in their fields, and who have already built significant wealth across property, business and investing, with a focus on showing what’s worked in practice and leaving the ladder down for others to follow.

Among them is Wolfe Property founder Ilse Wolfe, who has built a property portfolio worth more than $20 million from the ground up.

“Women often approach wealth with a longer-term lens,” says Wolfe. “It’s less about chasing quick wins and more about building something resilient - assets and income streams that support the life you actually want to live.”

Moodi founder Kate Gatfield-Jeffries, who leads one of Australasia’s largest women’s wellness brands, says the issue is not ambition, but access.

“There’s no shortage of ambition - what’s often missing is access to capital. Female-only founded startups receive just 2.9% of venture capital investment in New Zealand,” she says. “That’s why initiatives like the Moodi Female Founder Fund exist - to back women who are ready to build, but need support to take that next step.”

Entrepreneur Iyia Liu, founder of Make It Happen, says she is seeing that demand play out in real time.

“We’re seeing a huge surge in women starting ecommerce businesses,” Liu says. “The uptake from female clients is skyrocketing - they’re ready to build, and they’re moving quickly when they have the right support.”

Lighthouse Financial adviser Jess Hargreaves, who brings more than eight years of international wealth-building experience, says the shift is now translating into action.

“I really enjoy helping people get clear on what they actually want and then putting a plan in place to make it happen,” says Jess.

“Women haven’t traditionally been front and centre in financial decisions but that’s changing, with more women stepping into that space and taking ownership of their money and their future. Financial planning brings alignment it gets everyone on the same page, ensures both voices in a partnership are heard, and creates a clear path to build wealth and move forward with confidence.”

The event has been designed to remove as many barriers as possible, with both in-person and online access available, and ticket pricing intentionally kept low to ensure more women can participate, regardless of where they are or where they’re starting from.

Women Building Wealth with Purpose brings together experts across their respective fields, giving attendees direct access to real-world experience and practical insight - with a clear focus on what to do next.

This event reflects a shift that’s already underway - women are not waiting to be invited into traditional wealth-building spaces, they are building their own, and creating clearer pathways for those coming through behind them.

Women Building Wealth with Purpose

The event will be held in Auckland, with an online option available, and focuses on building confidence and clarity around money and wealth creation.

It brings together Kate Gatfield-Jeffries (Moodi), Iyia Liu (Make It Happen), Ilse Wolfe (Wolfe Property), and Jess Hargreaves (Lighthouse Financial) to share practical insights on business, investing, and long-term financial strategy.

The conversation will focus on real-world experience, exploring how money can be used to create greater freedom, flexibility, and alignment with long-term goals.

Tickets start at $10.

https://events.humanitix.com/women-building-wealth-with-purpose

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