What is it with women feeling that we don't have a story to tell?

In 40 years of journalism, I've met women who've inspired, stunned and scared me; who've made me laugh and made me cry. I chose to make a career interviewing women in sport because, frankly, they often have richer tales of life balance, resilience, ingenuity and perseverance.

So why is it that over 85 percent of life stories we record through Reflections are with men?

It's something I struggle to understand.

As daughters and sons, do we immediately think of celebrating the lives of our fathers and grandfathers because of their success in business, in farming, or in sport?

Are males more open and willing to talk about their achievements with confidence?

Are females more reluctant, more humble, or think they have 'nothing interesting' to share?

Sadly I've heard that too often. And it is untrue.

Of course we want to capture the life stories of our dads and grandads. But our mums and nanas have incredible stories of their own.

Not only are women leaders in every field - they're often the keepers of our history, our whakapapa and our family secrets and folklore. They too have led full and fascinating lives through adversity and change that will inspire, inform and delight their descendants.

This International Woman's Day has got me thinking how much I'd love to sit down with more mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters and wives... to ensure their memories and history will be cherished and kept alive for generations to come.