Waiariki Mana Party candidate Annette Sykes placed her vote today in commemoration of suffragette movement who had fought for the right to vote in 1892.
Ms Sykes was accompanied by a loyal group of supporters as she voted at the Zen's Centre in the central city. She said she felt huge responsibility to all women to cast her vote early.
"I'm going to exercise a right that our foremothers, amazing wahine such as Meri Mangakahia and Kate Sheppard fought for and a right that I value 121 years later, " she said.
"Laila Harre will be doing the same in Auckland and challenging all women to exercise their right to vote on this significant day. I encourage each and every woman in Rotorua to come along and join us in the march to vote.
"I want to make political history as the first wahine to represent the people of Waiariki in 143 years".