Tauranga MP Jan Tinetti marks 125th Women's Suffrage anniversary with discussion evening

Tauranga Labour list MP Jan Tinetti speaks as a candidates' meeting. Photo / File

Ten years ago Jan Tinetti would never have dreamed she would now be a Tauranga MP led by a young female Prime Minister and hosting her own discussion evening.

"In fact two years ago I wouldn't have thought that!" Tinetti said.

The former primary school principal, now turned politician, is tonight hosting an evening which will discuss what it means to be a woman in a leadership role in today's world. Much like former Prime Minister Helen Clark's Are We There Yet? evening earlier this month, Tinetti's discussion will be moderated by community advocate Tracey Rudduck-Gudsell with a Q&A session at the end.

The Are We There Yet? events are hosted by the Suffrage 125 Tauranga Committee celebrating the anniversary of women's suffrage in New Zealand. On September 19, 1893, the Electoral Act was signed into law, giving all women in New Zealand the right to vote.

"We've got to celebrate we were the first country in the world (to get the vote) but what else do we need to do?" she said.

Tinetti said feminism, race and poverty were three areas she felt still needed attention.

"I'm in a position of leadership and have been for quite some time. It hasn't always been an easy journey but how much harder is it for women in poverty or of race to break through that glass ceiling?" she said.

"These are discussions we now need to have as a country. That's the next step really."

Tinetti said she saw first-hand how hard it was for some people from her time as principal of Merivale School.

"Their journey was so much more difficult than it should have been."

Tinetti confessed she suffered from imposter syndrome - a feeling that she did not deserve her success.

"I think a lot of women think that. They say it's not a gendered thing but I think there is something there. So how do we identify these women who can take up positions and nurture them?

"We've come a long way but we are still judging women. You hear 'Can she do that role?' all the time. We've got to let women do it their way."

Tinetti has her own experience of being judged. When she first began her role as Merivale School principal more than 11 years ago she and her husband's two children were still very young.

He was staying home as the full-time carer, but still people judged, Tinetti said.

"Whether they choose to have a family, or they don't, we should support that."

Are We There Yet? An Evening with Jan Tinetti

Where:

Tauranga City Council chambers

When:

Meet and greet from 5.30pm. Begins 6pm

Cost:

The event is free, but bookings are essential.