The Herald, though at pains to stress the byelection did nothing to change the status quo in Parliament, warmly praised McCombs for her abilities.
"It can be said without any qualification that the new member is a woman of high capacity who will make a very able member of Parliament.
"From the viewpoint of proved ability and suitability for public life, the first woman to secure election to the New Zealand Parliament ... need fear no comparison with the average male."
She died just two years later before she could fulfil her potential as an MP but the importance of her achievement is not to be underestimated and she is our New Zealander of the Year for 1933.
Further reading:
Biography of Elizabeth McCombs, New Zealand History Online
Biography of Elizabeth McCombs, Te Ara Encylopedia of New Zealand