REUPLOADED: The Aotearoa History Show S2 | E12: Women's Suffrage | RNZ

Summary

The script traces the history of women's suffrage in New Zealand, beginning with the restrictive voting laws in 19th century Britain. It explores how Māori women held leadership roles yet lost rights under colonization, while Pākehā women fought for rights they never had. Influenced by international movements, Pākehā suffragists like Kate Sheppard campaigned through groups like the Women's Christian Temperance Union. Despite opposition, petitions from nearly a quarter of the country’s women helped pass the 1893 law allowing women to vote, making New Zealand the first self-governing nation to achieve universal suffrage.

Takeaways

• 😲 In early 19th century Britain, voting rights were heavily restricted based on class, sex and property ownership.
• 👩‍⚖️ The 'Great Reform Acts' of 1832 and 1867 in Britain expanded voting rights for men, but women were still excluded.
• 🌍 New Zealand had more inclusive voting laws than Britain, but most Māori men were still barred from voting.
• 💡 Liberalism and the French Revolution inspired early campaigns for women's equal rights.
• ⚖️ Many Māori women held positions of power and authority in traditional Māori society.
• 🍷 The Women's Christian Temperance Union campaigned against alcohol and for women's suffrage.
• ✍️ Mass petitions signed by nearly a quarter of European women helped demonstrate widespread support for suffrage.
• 😡 A minority of anti-suffragist politicians repeatedly blocked voting reform through dirty tricks.
• 🗳️ New Zealand became the first self-governing country to grant women the right to vote in national elections in 1893.
• 👩‍💼 It took many more years for women to gain the right to stand for Parliament and become MPs.

Q & A

Who was Mary Mueller and what was significant about her?

Mary Mueller was a feminist writer born in London in 1820 who migrated to New Zealand in 1849. She is celebrated as New Zealand's first feminist writer for her 1869 pamphlet 'An Appeal to the Men of New Zealand' which argued that women should have voting rights.

What reforms expanded voting rights in 19th century Britain and New Zealand?

In Britain, the Reform Acts of 1832 and 1867 expanded voting rights for men. In New Zealand, property restrictions on voting were dropped by the 1870s so virtually all men could vote, and 4 Māori seats were established in 1867.

How did gender roles and rights differ between Māori and Pākehā in the 19th century?

Māori women often held leadership roles and had rights regarding property and divorce that Pākehā women did not have. However, colonization started eroding many rights for Māori women.

What was the Women’s Christian Temperance Union and what was its role?

The Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) was an anti-alcohol group that campaigned for social reforms like women's suffrage. Key leader Kate Sheppard later focused her efforts specifically on winning voting rights for women.

Who were some of the other people and groups important to the women’s suffrage movement?

Other groups like the Women's Franchise Leagues organized rallies and petition drives. Some Māori women like Meri Te Tai Mangakāhia advocated for suffrage, as did male politicians like Julius Vogel and John Hall.

How much support was there among New Zealand women for suffrage?

A 1893 petition calling for women's suffrage gathered nearly 32,000 signatures, representing almost a quarter of the country's Pākehā women. This demonstrated it was a mass movement.

Why did some conservative politicians support women’s suffrage?

Some conservatives believed women voters would support conservative candidates and policies, seeing women primarily as 'domesticated, home loving'. These views were later proven incorrect.

When were New Zealand women actually granted the right to vote?

The Electoral Act granting women's suffrage was signed into law on September 19, 1893. This made New Zealand the first self-governing country to grant women universal suffrage.

When were New Zealand women granted the right to stand for parliament?

It took much longer for New Zealand women to gain the right to stand for parliament - this didn't happen until 1919, 26 years after winning the right to vote. The first female MP wasn't elected until 1933.

What progress has been made in New Zealand politics since women’s suffrage?

There has been gradual progress, with New Zealand now having had 3 female Prime Ministers and women making up 48% of MPs after the 2020 election. But equal representation took well over a century.