Partnership brings free period products to construction sites across NZ
Nearly 1,000 women apprentices across New Zealand now have access to free period products thanks to a new partnership between BCITO and Dignity NZ – a move designed to normalise conversations about period care in the trades and promote wellbeing
Dignity NZ, an advocate for period equity and BCITO, New Zealand’s largest building and construction training provider, have partnered to provide sustainable period products through the Actions Speak Louder initiative. The initiative recognises and responds to the unique needs of tradeswomen, supporting inclusivity, wellbeing, and a stronger sense of belonging across the construction industry.
BCITO currently supports around 13,000 apprentices across 16 trades, including carpentry, joinery, painting, decorating and stonemasonry. Currently, women make up about 6% of BCITO’s apprenticeships.
Rotorua carpentry apprentice Sydney Gill says access to free period care addresses a simple but significant reality many women face on the job.
“When you’re out on site, especially in male-dominated environments, having your period can be stressful if you’re not prepared, and sometimes that’s completely out of your control,” she says. “Before this, I’d never spoken to my employer about period products. It just felt too awkward. But it’s such a small thing that makes a huge difference. It’s great to see the industry finally normalising something that affects women at work every month.”
BCITO’s principal advisor women, Amanda Williams, says the Dignity partnership represents a turning point for how the trades sector supports women.
“It moves beyond surface-level inclusion to address real, practical barriers,” she says. “It ensures apprentices don’t have to take time off work or face unnecessary stress because of something as basic as access to period products. Providing period products prioritises dignity, safety and inclusive design to establish a new national standard.”
Dignity CEO Lisa Maathuis says the collaboration builds on growing momentum across the construction sector. They also work with Hawkins, which provides period care at its Domestic Jet Terminal project at Auckland Airport, and Summerset Retirement Villages, which have worked with Dignity since 2022 to offer period care across all their offices, villages and construction sites.
Sally Homer, Summerset’s head of learning and organisational development, says it’s an important part of their commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace.
“It’s important that our people feel comfortable and confident while at work, without having to worry about getting ‘caught short’; they value the products in our bathrooms, particularly on our construction sites, and we get feedback that having Dignity is a thoughtful touch in an often male-dominated environment.”
Maathuis adds, “We’re proud to see growing momentum across the sector and a real opportunity to make period care standard in every workplace, so that no one has to choose between comfort, dignity and their career – whether they’re in a boardroom or on a building site.”