2018 marks the 125th anniversary of women’s suffrage in New Zealand. On 19 September 1893 the Electoral Act 1893 was passed, giving all women in New Zealand the right to vote. As a result of this landmark legislation, New Zealand became the first self-governing country in the world in which all women had the right to vote in parliamentary elections.
Featured here are a selection of women’s stories that reflect key issues and activities prominent during three heightened waves of feminist activism – women's suffrage, women's liberation and women activist today. Together the stories represent the ongoing fight for equality and women’s rights, the multidimensional approaches employed by women activists, national and international connections, and how the women’s movement has evolved and adapted to address women’s rights on many fronts. These stories highlight some of the successes of the women’s movement and also what women are still striving to achieve.
