About Us

Innovative Young Minds programme is designed to encourage young women to explore science, technology, engineering, mathematics and high-tech manufacturing - the STEMM sector. The programme was the brainchild of Rotary Hutt City, who initiated the programme in 2017 in partnership with Hutt City Council. 

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Rotary Hutt City has a long history of supporting youth, local schools and community groups and Hutt City Council was keen to promote local innovation and talent and inspire young people to study and train for opportunities in the region. 

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In 2019, following the demand and growth of IYM, the IYM Charitable Trust was formed to administer the programme. A small staff runs the day-to-day mahi including organising programmes and seeking sponsorship to ensure that IYM is accessible to students from all walks of life. IYM continues to seek sponsorship from students from Rotary Clubs around the lower North Island. 

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While the annual Residential programme continues to be offered for Year 11 and 12 female students in the greater Wellington region, in 2020, IYM expanded its reach by offering the IYM Online programme for Year 11 and 12 female students from throughout New Zealand. IYM Anytime, added in 2023, brings together all of our presentations, interviews and recorded sessions for ANY students at ANY time.