Waikato Ambitious Middle.
A curated community for movers, shakers, and those ready to level up.
Membership applications are now open.
Waikato Ambitious Middle is intentionally curated to protect the quality of the room. Membership is limited to 40, values-led, and designed for those ready to contribute, grow, and back others doing the same.
The Vision
Standard networking sucks. We’re building something different.
Waikato Ambitious Middle is a growth-focused community designed to normalise ambition and remove the fear of tall-poppy syndrome. We bring together high-performing, values-aligned business owners and leaders who are committed to elevating themselves, supporting each other, and shaping a stronger future for the Waikato.
How WAM works
This event delivery model is built around three layers, each designed to create a different depth of connection, learning, and growth for our members.
It builds on feedback from the Ambition Lab and reflects what matters most to this group: deep, measurable connections and actionable outcomes, not just content for content’s sake.
Layer 1
Foundation - Accountability Groups
Included in membership
Layer 1 is the foundation of the WAM experience.
At the core are small, trusted accountability groups where members meet monthly in groups of 6–7, share openly under Chatham House Rules, and stay connected between sessions through clear actions and ongoing accountability.
Groups are built on a structured framework developed by Di Foster and facilitated by a WAM board member. They're refreshed annually to stay relevant, honest, and high-performing.
Groups are established at a full-day workshop with Di Foster on 8 May 2026.
Layer 2
Rhythm - Monthly Member Events
Included in membership. One event per month, with formats rotating throughout the year.
Each event serves a different purpose - from practical learning, real accountability, reflection, to physical reset to fast-moving connection. No two months feel the same.
The Level Up Workshops
Four workshops across the year — facilitated by Di Foster
One full day to build the foundation. Three half days to reflect, reset, and go again. Every workshop connects directly to your accountability group work - reviewing your 100-day projects, holding each other to account, and adding a key piece of learning you can apply immediately.
Workshop 1: Shift Out of Your Own F**king Way — Full Day, 8 May 2026
Workshop 2: Story — Half Day, 7 August 2026
Workshop 3: Radical Responsibility — Half Day, 2 December 2026
Workshop 4: Are You a Banana? — Half Day, 5 March 2027
Read more about what’s included and meet Di.
The F’up Series
Approximately quarterly – 3 per year
A curated event series where ambitious leaders share the decisions that didn’t land, the risks that backfired, and the lessons that shaped how they lead today.
Expect honest stories, sharp insights, and real conversations that build perspective, resilience, and stronger connections.
Reset and Connect
Approximately bi-monthly, rotating in format
Between our larger quarterly sessions, we run optional reset and connection events designed to maintain momentum and deepen relationships.
These could include group workouts, hikes, coffee catch-ups, breathwork sessions, dinners, or drinks — more relaxed, energising moments that keep the community connected.
Layer 3
Escalation - Premium & Partner Experiences
Additional cost or curated access.
Layer 3 is where the experience expands.
These premium, opt-in opportunities are designed for members who want to go deeper, access more, and step outside the usual rhythm of the community.
This could include weekend retreats, larger speaker events, or curated partner experiences connected to events like Revved. This layer is all about elevated access, deeper learning, and high-value connections — intentionally designed to create meaningful growth beyond the day-to-day.
Revved 2026 Summit Partnership
Revved is a one-day, high-energy business and leadership summit in Auckland, designed for founders, executives, and ambitious professionals.
Exclusive Offer for WAM*
Private lunch with a speaker from Revved.
A private lunch space for WAM, 30 minutes with a speaker - potentially someone like Maya Pan, who speaks on the Silicon Valley mindset, ambition, failing fast, and creating a uniquely Kiwi approach to productivity and leadership. Timed to ensure you still enjoy the full networking break.
*this is conditional on WAM taking 3x tables
Become a Founding Member
12 Month Membership fee - April 2026 - March 2027 $2900 +GST
You're invited to become a founding WAM member because we believe you’re part of the next generation of leaders shaping the Waikato.
Waikato Ambitious Middle is being built with intention from day one, and this application helps us shape the founding membership and the community's overall structure.
Places are limited to ensure the right mix of ambitious, values-aligned members around the table.
The membership application should take around 3–4 minutes to complete.
Membership applications close 24th April 2026.
Places are limited, and once this intake is full, applications will close until the next intake opens next year.
