Doubtless Bay BPW celebrate suffrage 125th anniversary with high tea. Photo / Supplied
Doubtless Bay BPW celebrate suffrage 125th anniversary with high tea. Photo / Supplied
Guest speaker Paula Bennett recalling her personal journey.
Doubtless Bay Business and Professional Women hosted a high tea for 60 women (and a solitary man) at the Mangonui Cruising Club's rooms at Mill Bay as its celebration of 125 years of women's suffrage.
Club president Lynn Dow summarised events leading up to the vote, including the 2700m, 32,000 signature petition presented to Parliament.
"There was a strong focus on equality of those signing the petition — some were university graduates, while many could only sign their names with an X, as was common at that time," she said.
"The signatories included 19 from Mangonui, 13 from Tōtara North and 25 from Kaeo. This is remarkable considering these settlements would have been male-dominated and very remote in 1893.
MP Paula Bennett speaks with members and guests enjoying high tea to mark the 125th anniversary of women's suffrage. Photo / Supplied
"On September 19, 1983, the Electoral Act 1893 was passed, 20 votes to 18. The first election where women could vote was November 28, 1893. It was estimated that two-thirds of all women in New Zealand voted on that day."
Fellow club member and New Zealand Federation of Business and Professional Women executive secretary Christine Berridge outlined the role of the organisation's international federation in lobbying the United Nations, particularly in relation to The Commission on the Status of Women and the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women.
She also outlined the New Zealand federation's role in lobbying Parliament and advocating for women, and outlined the work done by the Doubtless Bay club in enabling and inspiring women, including a bi-annual Outward Bound scholarship and providing ongoing assistance to Mangonui School.
A lavish high tea, catered by Shanny Maginness (Doubtless Bay Catering), was then served, guest speaker Paula Bennett MP, deputy leader of the National Party, then taking the floor.
She spoke about her journey to becoming a politician and how women MPs work together.
"She proved to be a very funny and entertaining speaker, not afraid to tell stories at her own expense," Lynn said.
"She related tales from her childhood, her experience of being a solo mother at 17 and her entry into the world of politics. Her only mention of the National Party was to speak of a protest march she led against the party when she first became interested in politics. She often referenced the Far North as a place that is dear to her.
"She also answered questions, and it was interesting to hear that the women MPs, from all sides of the House, have regular breakfast meetings, and have even formed their own netball team."
