Women in Parliament
A DigitalNZ Story by Zokoroa
Journey of women to stand for Parliament and notable firsts from MP to PM. On 25 Oct 2022, female MPs (60) outnumbered male MPS (49) for the first time.
Women, Gender, Equality, Women's Suffrage, Parliament, Politics, MPs, Prime Minister, Ministers
Five of the 6 women MPs in the 1981 Labour caucus of 43 MPs. Forty-one years later, 37 women occupied 66 Labour seats.
(L-R} Margaret Shields, Mary Batchelor, Whetū Tirikātene-Sullivan, Fran Wilde & Ann Hercus. (6th women was Helen Clark.)
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Journey to elect first NZ woman MP in 1933
On 19 September 1893 the Electoral Act 1893 was signed in law by the Governor, Lord Glasgow, giving all women in New Zealand the right to vote in parliamentary elections. Twenty-six years later, the passing of the 1919 Women’s Parliamentary Rights Act enabled women to stand for election. It was not until 1933 that the first woman Member of Parliament (MP) took her seat in the House.
New Zealand Constitution Act (1852) created NZ's first Parliament
NZ's first election was held in 1853. Those who could vote were NZ men of any ethnicity over 21 who owned land.
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
On 19 Sept 1893, the Electoral Act gave women who were 'British subjects' (including Māori) & aged 21+ the right to vote
Excluded were other nationalities ('aliens'), inmates of prisons & asylums, very recent immigrants, & transient workers
The University of Auckland Library
Post-vote agitation by WCTU (formed 1885) for women to stand for Parliament
The NZ Women's Christian Temperance Union was led by Kate Sheppard
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
1894: Bill introduced by MP Alfred Newman to give women right to stand for Parliament was unsuccessful
Male MPs Alfred Newman, George Russell & Tommy Taylor unsuccessfully proposed bills to grant women the right to stand
National Library of New Zealand
Campaigning by the National Council of Women (formed in 1896)
Alexander Turnbull Library
Women’s Parliamentary Rights Act 1919 enabled women to stand for election
The University of Auckland Library
1919 elections: The three women candidates were unsuccessful in the First Past the Post (FPP) elections
The first 3 women were: Rosetta Baume (Parnell), Aileen Cook (Thames), & Ellen Melville (Grey Lynn) who came second
Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira
1919-1931: Ellen Melville stood unsuccessfully in 6 general elections and a by-election & tried again in 1943
However, she was successful in becoming 1st woman in NZ to be elected to a city council (Auckland): 1913-1946
LIANZA
On 13 Sept 1933, Elizabeth McCombs (Labour) became NZ's first female MP by winning a by-election
Prior to Elizabeth winning, 13 women candidates were unsuccessful since 1919
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
By comparison internationally:
In 1902, Australia women granted right to vote & stand for Federal Parliament (except aboriginal women in some states)
First woman stood in 1903 & first successful were 2 woman in 1943: Enid Lyons ( H. of R.) & Dorothy Tangney (Senate)
National Library of New Zealand
In 1906, Finnish women were able to both vote and stand for election
in 1907, 19 women were elected to Finland's new Parliament
National Library of New Zealand
In 1918, British women could vote & stand for Parliament
1st woman elected Constance Markievicz (Sinn Fein) didn't take her seat. 1st to take a seat - Lady Astor (Conservative).
Auckland Libraries
In 1931, 15 women were elected to Parliament in the British General Election
Auckland Libraries
NZ's first female Mp
First By-election winner:
On 13 Sept 1933, Elizabeth McCombs (Labour) became NZ's first female MP by winning a by-election (Lyttleton)
She was unsuccessful in 1928 & 1931 (campaigned under the slogan ‘‘Vote the first Woman to the New Zealand Parllament")
Our Wāhine
Elizabeth McCombs won the Lyttelton seat following the death of her husband, MP James McCombs.
Mrs Elizabeth McCombs during election night broadcast
Christchurch City Libraries
McCombs won the by-election against two other candidates, winning 6,344 of the 10,347 votes
Elizabeth Reid McCombs elected to Parliament, 1933
Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga
McCombs (front row, 2d left) at opening of Parliament
FIRST WOMAN MEMBER ARRIVES AT PARLIAMENT.—Mrs.E. R. McCombs, recently elected to Parliament at the, Lyttelton byelection, and the first woman in Ne...
National Library of New Zealand
NZHistory comments:
"Parliament had to make some adjustments for [Elizabeth McCombs]. The 'No Women Permitted' sign over Bellamy's dining room came down, the wording of the swearing-in ceremony was altered, and the Governor-General had to refer to 'Members' rather than 'gentlemen' in the Speech from the Throne. But McCombs was not allowed into the inner sanctum of Bellamy's bar.
Members applauded loudly and the crowded galleries cheered as McCombs entered the House for the first time. After she bowed and took her seat, government Members crossed the floor to congratulate her. On her desk were two bouquets, one from the ladies' gallery and another from an admirer. The Speaker called it 'a scene unique in the parliament history of New Zealand."
Source: Women MPs', URL: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/parliaments-people/women-mps, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 24-Jul-2018
Shows shock reaction to Elizabeth McCombs & indignant jack-in-the box representing Māori (some objected to women MPs)
Lloyd, Trevor 1863-1937 :The lady in the case. 20 September 1933
Alexander Turnbull Library
When McCombs took her seat as the first woman in Parliament, "there was much fussing about what she would wear".
Women in Parliament cartoon, 1933
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
'Today in New Zealand History, September 13th" remembers when Elizabeth McCombs was elected. She died in June 1935.
Today In New Zealand History, September 13th
Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
First General election winner:
Oct 1938, Catherine Stewart (Labour) became the second female MP & first to win during a general election
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Catherine won the newly named Wellington West seat (previously Wellington Suburbs) by 955 votes
She was defeated in the 1943 election
National Library of New Zealand
Catherine was the first president of Melrose-Houghton Bay branch of the Wellington Labour Representation Committee
She was also 1st secretary of Wellington After-care Association, which she represented on the National Council of Women
National Library of New Zealand
Her maiden speech was during House's main topic of defence where she promoted securing peace & spoke for c.45 mins
The House acknowledged her "with a round of applause even more generous than that usually accorded a new member"
National Library of New Zealand
Other notable firsts
LegislativE council:
1853: the Legislative Council was formed as the nominated Upper House of Parliament
Auckland Libraries
The Legislative Council's role was to scrutinise & amend bills that had been passed by the House of Representatives
It was modelled on Britain’s House of Lords
Alexander Turnbull Library
1941: Women gained the right to sit in the Legislative Council
National Library of New Zealand
31 Jan 1946: Mary Dreaver & Mary Anderson became the first women appointed to the Legislative Council
Council members were appointed, not elected. After 1891, life-time term was change to 7 years, but could be reappointed
Alexander Turnbull Library
28 July 1948: Mary Anderson was 1st member of Legislative Council to chair a select committee
On 1 Dec 1950, the Council members left Parliament & the Council was abolished on 1 Jan 1951
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Cabinet Minister:
29 May 1947: Mabel Howard (Labour MP) was the first woman to become a Cabinet Minister
Appointed 14th Minister of Health and Child Welfare. Also 1st woman Cabinet Minister in Commonwealth outside of Britain.
Alexander Turnbull Library
NZHistory comments:
Gentlemen only
The election of Mabel Howard in 1943 caused a stir, for she had little truck with old-fashioned male-only customs. When she attempted to use a bathroom in the basement, a messenger pointed to the 'Gentlemen' sign. She pointed to the 'Members Only' sign in return and was allowed in only after threatening to climb in through the window.
Source: 'Women MPs', URL: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/parliaments-people/women-mps, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 24-Jul-2018
13 Dec 1949 - 12 Dec 1957: Hilda Ross was the first Minister for the Welfare of Women and Children
Ministry later split from Social Welfare portfolio, & was renamed Ministry of Women's Affairs in 2014
Alexander Turnbull Library
8 Dec 1972: Whetū Tirikātene-Sullivan was 1st female Māori Cabinet Minister (Tourism & Assoc. Min. of Social Welfare)
Later (7 Oct 1974) she was the first Cabinet Minister in NZ & possibly in the British Commonwealth to give birth
Alexander Turnbull Library
26 July 1984-24 Aug 1987: Ann Hercus was the first woman to become Minister of Police
She was the 25th Minister of Police
Alexander Turnbull Library
26 July 1984-24 Aug 1987: Ann Hercus was the first Minister for Women's Affairs
The Ministry was created by splitting from the Social Welfare portfolio. It was renamed Ministry of Women in Dec 2014.
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
2 Nov 2020: Nanaia Mahuta became first woman internationally & NZ's first indigenous female Foreign Affairs Minister
In 1916, Nanaia also became first female MP & Cabinet Minister to wear a moko kauae, a traditional Māori chin tattoo
Radio New Zealand
Attorney-General:
10 Dec 1999: Margaret Wilson (Minister of Labour) was 1st woman & 30th person appointed Attorney-General
Margaret had entered Parliament in 1999 as a list MP
Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE:
3 March 2005: Margaret Wilson became NZ's 1st female speaker of House of Representatives
She was the 27th Speaker until 8 Dec 2008 when she closed Parliament and did not seek re-election
Alexander Turnbull Library
2018: Deputy Speaker was Anne Tolley (Trevor Mallard's number two) & one of two assistant speakers was Poto Williams
Radio New Zealand
Party Leader & Prime Minister:
8 Aug 1989: Helen Clark was 1st NZ woman to become Deputy PM & Acting PM (8 Aug 1989 - 7 Nov 1990)
Helen became leader of the Labour Party from 1993 to 2008
Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira
8 Dec 1997-1999: Jenny Shipley became NZ's 1st female Prime Minister & 1st woman to lead National Party (1997-2001)
Jenny had replaced PM Jim Bolger when he stepped down as National Party leader. She was sworn in as 36th PM in Nov 1997.
Alexander Turnbull Library
10 Dec 1999 - 19 Nov 2008: Helen Clark (Labour) was 1st female PM following a general election & forming coalition govt
Helen was 37th PM & NZ's 5th-longest-serving (9 years), & 1st Labour PM since 1940s to have 3 consecutive terms
Alexander Turnbull Library
26 Oct 2017: Jacinda Ardern appointed 40th PM at age 37 years, making her the world's youngest female head of government
Jacinda became leader of the Labour Party in August 2017
Radio New Zealand
21 June 2018: Jacinda Ardern first NZ PM to give birth while in office
At United Nations General Assembly meeting (24 Sept 2018) Ardern became 1st female head of govt to attend with her child
Radio New Zealand
2020: Ardern was the first Prime Minister to lead a single-party majority government since the introduction of MMP
Won overall majority of 65 seats in 120-seat House of Representatives & 50% of the party vote
Radio New Zealand
Governor-General:
12 Dec 1990-1996: Dame Catherine Tizard became first female & 16th Governor-General presiding over Executive Council
Role includes appointing ministers & judges, granting royal assent to legislation, & summoning & closing Parliament
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
2021: Dame Cindy Kiro was the first Māori woman to become Governor-General
Dame Cindy is of Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Kahu & British descent. & 22nd title holder
TV3
other notable firsts for Women MPs
(A) During the First Past the Post (FPP) elections:
Jan 1942: Mary Grigg was National Party’s 1st woman MP & 1st woman to represent agricultural electorate (mid-Canterbury)
Mary was also the first MP to marry an MP while in office (29 June 1943)
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
29 Nov 1949: Iriaka Rātana (Labour) became the first Māori woman MP
Succeeded her husband, winning the Western Māori seat. Was 1st woman MP to have a baby as not sworn in till 27 June 1950
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
1967: Whetū Tirikātene-Sullivan (Labour) was the youngest woman at 35 years to have been elected as an MP to that time
She won the by-election for the Southern Māori seat
Alexander Turnbull Library
13 Nov 1970: Whetū was 1st MP to give birth while Parliament was in session & returned to work 2 weeks later
Later, in the 1990s, Parliament established a childcare centre for children of MPs & parliamentary staff
NZ On Screen
In 1973, Marilyn Waring (National) became NZ’s youngest MP at age 23
Marilyn won seat for Raglan electorate. She retired from politics in 1984, but continued advocating for women’s rights.
NZ On Screen
1975: Women’s Electoral Lobby (WEL) was formed to encourage equality, including encouraging electing women
Between 1935 and 1975, only 14 women were elected to Parliament, compared to 298 men
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
1975: Women's Council of the New Zealand Labour Party (LWC) was formed to promote women's issues & joining the Party
It replaced the Women's Advisory Committee (WAC) which had been formed in 1970
Alexander Turnbull Library
19 July 1984: 1st female MP to be elected Whip: Hon Frances Wilde
Alexander Turnbull Library
23 Jan 1990: 1st female MP outside the UK to be a Privy Councillor: Helen Clark
Alexander Turnbull Library
2 Nov 1990: First female Minister of Finance: Ruth Richardson
Alexander Turnbull Library
1993: Sandra Lee (Alliance) became the first Māori woman to win a general seat (Auckland Central)
The Alliance was formed in 1991: New Labour Party, Democratic Party, Mana Motuhake & the Greens
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
1993: Sonia Davies (Labour) was first woman MP to become a Member of the Order of New Zealand
Was a Labour MP (1987-1993), 1st women vice-president of Federation of Labour (1981-87), & active on other committees
NZ On Screen
1 Dec 1993: First woman to become Leader of the Opposition: Helen Clark
Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira
(B) Impact of MMP Elections from 1996:
The mixed member proportional representation system, MMP, was introduced in 1996 whereby each person could vote for a candidate and vote for a party. Under MMP, a greater number of political parties gained representation in Parliament than had occurred under the First Past the Post (FPP) system. An outcome was a more diverse and more representative Parliament with parties choosing candidates who resembled the electorate in terms of demographic characteristics such as gender, ethnicity, and age.
Comparison between FPP & MMP:
Under FFP:
- By 1970s: Only 11 (seven Labour and four National) had ever become MPs and only four had served in Cabinet.
- 1993: Number of women MPs elected that year was 21 out of 99 MPs (c.21% of seats).
Under MMP:
- 1996: Number of women MPS was 35 out of 120 MPs. Of the electorate MPs, 15.4% were women, and of the list MPs 45.5% were women.
- 2008: Number of women MPS rose to a record of 41 - almost 34%, before hovering around 32% & 31% in the next two elections.
- 2017: Number of women MPs was 46 (38% of Parliament) which was the highest proportion ever.
- 2019: There were 49 women MPs, 41% of Parliament.
1996: Under NZ's new mixed member proportional (MMP) system, 35 women MPs were elected out of 120 MPs
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
1996: Donna Awatere Huata was the first NZ women to become a list MP (ACT Party)
A list MP is elected from a party list whose place in Parliament is due to the number of votes that the party won
NZ On Screen
By 1996, longest serving woman MP was Whetū with almost 30 years of service over 10 successive terms
During 1996 general election, Whetū narrowly lost her seat when New Zealand First Party secured all 5 Māori seats
Alexander Turnbull Library
12 Oct 1996: First Asian woman MP, Pansy Wong, entered Parliament
Upper Hutt City Library
27 Nov 1999: NZ's first Pacific Island woman MP: Winnie Laban
Winnie was elected as a list MP & later resigned on 15 Oct 2010. She became a Dame at the 2018 Queen's Birthday Honours.
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
1999: NZ & world's firstly openly transgender MP: Georgina Beyer
Georgina was also elected Mayor of Carterton in 1995 - the world's first openly transgender mayor
Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira
2005: Labour MP Maryan Street became the first openly identified lesbian elected to Parliament
Marilyn Waring was an MP from 1976 to 1984 and openly identified herself as a lesbian after she left
Alexander Turnbull Library
2008: National Council of Women call for a more family-friendly Parliament
Radio New Zealand
10 Dec 2011 – 23 Sept 2017: Mojo Mather (Green Party) became NZ's first deaf MP
AttitudeLive
In 2018 both the Green & Māori parties had Māori women, Marama Davidson and Kaapua Smith, as co-leaders
Radio New Zealand
2020: First Sri Lankan-born MP, Vanushi Walters (Labour), won Upper Harbour seat
Also, Terisa Ngobi was the first Pasifika person to win the Ōtaki electorate
Radio New Zealand
2020: Statue of Dame Hilda Ross unveiled at Hamilton
Dame Hilda was a Hamilton City Councillor, Deputy Mayor who became an MP (1945-59) & Government Minister. (1949=57)
Radio New Zealand
Record number of women in Parliament, 2020:
A record number of 58 women of 120 MPs were elected in 2020, comprising 48.3% in the House of Representatives. This figure placed New Zealand internationally in 5th place, up from 17th place in 2017. According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Rwanda (61%), Cuba (53%), Bolivia (53%), and United Arab Emirates (50%) have higher proportions of women represented in their lower chambers. Mexico (48%), Nicaragua (47%), and Sweden (47%) have similar levels of representation of women as NZ in their lower chambers. Source: New Zealand Parliament: The 2020 General Election and referendums
2020: A record 58 women were elected in 2020, comprising almost half (48.3%) of the 53rd Parliament
This surpassed the previous record of 46 women elected to the 52nd Parliament in 2017
Radio New Zealand
How far have we come?
On 25 October 2022, the number of female MPs (60) outnumbered male MPs (59) for the first time. This milestone occurred when new MP Soraya Peke-Mason (Labour) was sworn in as a List MP. She was the 177th woman to enter Parliament.
Graph comparing numbers of male and female MPs from 1931 - 2020
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
25 Oct 2022: The number of female MPs (60) outnumber male MPS (59) for the first time
This milestone occurred when Soraya Peke-Mason (Labour) was sworn in as a List MP
Radio New Zealand
You can view a chronological list of women MPs: New Zealand Parliament: Women members of the New Zealand Parliament, 1933 onwards
1991: Women burning effigies of Ruth Richardson (Min. Finance) & Jenny Shipley (Min. Social Welfare & Women's Affairs)
National Govt announced benefit cuts & tightening of eligibility for financial assistance which infuriated many women
Alexander Turnbull Library
1994: Documentary marks the centenary of New Zealand women winning the right to vote
NZ On Screen
2002: Political history of NZ including the rise of women 'on the hill'
NZ On Screen
23 Sept 2010: RNZ interview about reasons 4 suffragists wanted to vote & stand for Parliament
Meri Manga-Kahia, Areta Mahu-Puku, Akene Tomoana & Sophia Herangi were involved in NZ's Suffrage movement
Radio New Zealand
July 2013: Labour Party proposes to allow only women candidates in some seats only
Radio New Zealand
Sept 2015: RNZ: Some women MPs say Parliament's Speaker David Carter doesn't take their points of order seriously
Radio New Zealand
Feb 2016: The first women to represent Māori in Parliament were memorialised in the House
Radio New Zealand
May 2017: Green Party membership call for more women MPs
Radio New Zealand
Dec 2017: Pacific MPs attend a Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians mentoring programme held in Wellington
Advice shared by NZ women MPs includes: "Just keep raising your voice" during question time
Radio New Zealand
19 Sept 2018: Jo Moir looks back in time to see how things have changed for electing women as MPs (RNZ)
Radio New Zealand
28 Nov 2018: Women's first vote remembered at Parliament
Radio New Zealand
Oct 2019: Highlights from Parliamentary debate looking back at women MPs first entering Parliament
Radio New Zealand
2020: Jenny Coleman's book "From suffrage to a seat in the house: the path to parliament for new Zealand women"
Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira
2020: Jessie Bray Sharpin reviews "From Suffrage to a Seat in the House: The path to parliament for New Zealand women"
Radio New Zealand
Sharing their journey as women MPS
1980: Mary Batchelor, Ann Hercus, Margaret Shields, Whetū Tirikātene-Sullivan, Marilyn Waring & Sue Wood share stories
Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
30 Oct 1991: Interview with Lianne Dalziel
From: Women in Parliament oral history project
Alexander Turnbull Library
31 Oct 1991: Interview with Helen Clark
From: Women in Parliament oral history project
Alexander Turnbull Library
12 Feb 1992: Interview with Jenny Shipley
From: Women in Parliament oral history project
Alexander Turnbull Library
17 Oct 2012: Louisa Wall from from the Labour Party talks to Jo Jackson about what it's like to be an MP
PrideNZ
6 Nov 2012: Marilyn Waring talks about her time as an MP from 1975 - 1984
PrideNZ
Documentary (2018) asks 4 women about their experiences as a female MP
Interviewees: Golriz Ghahraman, Paula Bennett, Louisa Wall and Helen Clark
NZ On Screen
Find out more
- New Zealand Parliament: Firsts for women in Parliament
- New Zealand Parliament: Women members of the New Zealand Parliament, 1933 onwards
- NZHistory: Parliament's people: Page 2 Women MPs
- Anne Else, 'Gender inequalities - Politics and citizenship', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand
- DigitalNZ: First female MP Elizabeth McCombs, 13 Sept 1933