On 29 Nov 1893, Elizabeth Yates won Onehunga Borough Council's election & became the first woman mayor in British Empire

Image: Elizabeth & husband Michael who was Mayor from Nov 1888-Jan 1892. (Video: 1900: 1:10 min)

On 16 Jan 1894, Elizabeth was sworn in as Mayor before Supreme Court Judge Edward Conolly

As mayoral role also conferred ex officio the role of Justice of the Peace, she was also 1st woman JP in British Empire

Her success made international news & Elizabeth received congratulations from Queen Victoria & NZ Premier Richard Seddon

Queen Victoria had sent a letter expressing her satisfaction at the position achieved by a woman in New Zealand

However, not everyone accepted Elizabeth's mayoral appointment - four councillors & the town clerk resigned immediately

Council meetings were described as 'lively' exchanges of viewpoints, which attracted crowds of public spectators

On 28 Nov 1894, Elizabeth was defeated in mayoral poll by Donald Sutherland who became Mayor until 1897

(Cartoon: Mrs Yates clings to her chair as men try to wrest her from it.) Later, Frederick Court was Mayor: 1897-1898.

From Sept 1899 - April 1901, Elizabeth served as a Councillor during which Dr Erson was Mayor

(Cartoon: Elizabeth regains a Council seat & makes life difficult for incumbent Mayor, Dr Erson who was elected in 1898)

Elizabeth was born in Caithness, Scotland to George Oman (1809-1874) & Eleanor née Lannigan (1814-1886)

Elizabeth's birthdate has been varously recorded as being between 1840-1848. (Her grave's headstone states 1840.)

Elizabeth's father was born in Dunnet, Caithness & became a soldier. Her mother was born in County Cork, Ireland.

They married in 1838 & Elizabeth was the oldest of two daughters. Her sister was named Eleanor (c.1842-1916).

George left the British army & enlisted in Royal NZ Fencible Corps. They arrived in NZ on 'Berwick Castle' in Dec 1852.

Criteria to become a Fencible included being under 48 years old with 15 years military service & of good character

George was given a Fencible cottage & land in Onehunga, which he'd own after 7 years service; a wage & pension

As the Fencibles were seldom required for defence, they were employed on public works. George then became a labourer.

In 1871, Elizabeth's sister Eleanor married Thomas Henshaw (storekeeper who'd served in Forest Rangers in Waikato Wars)

They had a daughter named Eleanor Elizabeth Mary (b. 1873 - 1950)

On 15 Dec 1875, Elizabeth married sea captain Michael Yates (1841-1902) at St. Peter's Church, Onehunga

He was born in Scotland and, after his father died, moved with his mother & sister to Australia in 1852 & to NZ in 1853

Michael was a Master Mariner & part-owned schooners delivering freight & passengers until 1874

He'd begun coastal trading & then captained Pacific voyages until developing a bad leg from a childhood accident

From 1874, Michael earned his income from renting out properties he'd previously purchased in Onehunga & Hamilton

In mid-1870s Michael joined Masonic Lodge & was proactive in writing submissions with neighbours on roads & pathways

He was also a member of Onehunga Choral Society & performed in operas, including "Pirates of Penzance" & "Bohemian Girl"

Michael became Onehunga Borough Councillor from 1885-1888

He was a keen advocate for improved waterworks & a new cemetery for Onehunga

Elizabeth's mother died aged 72 on 23 Jan 1886. She invested her inheritance from her mother in property in Onehunga.

As a property-owner and ratepayer, Elizabeth was entitled to vote and stand in local body elections

During Council meetings, Michael continued to advocate for improved waterworks & a refurbished fire brigade

Article (21 June 1888) recounts a meeting with the public where Mayor Erson & Michael differ on funding issues

Elizabeth's brother-in-law Thomas Henshaw died on 2 July 1888 in his 47th year

He was buried at the St. Peter's Cemetery in the family plot where Elizabeth's parents, George & Eleanor, were buried

Michael was elected as Mayor in 1888 & was re-elected in 1889, 1890, & 1891

On 4 Jan 1892, Michael's letter of resignation as mayor owing to his ill-health was accepted by Onehunga Borough Council

He was replaced on 17 Jan 1892 by Mayor-elect Dr Erson who had previously been Mayor from 1886-1887

Michael continued to be involved in local issues, including supporting the opening of Onehunga's new Waikaraka Cemetery

Elizabeth had assisted Michael when he was Mayor & considered standing in Nov 1892, but was dissuaded by Michael

Michael decided to restand, but lost to incumbent mayor Dr Erson. Michael received 98 votes & Erson received 173 votes.

In 1893 Elizabeth Yates accepted nomination for the office of mayor of Onehunga, with Michael's support

She was wanting to continue the work Michael had done when he was Mayor & during his post-mayoral lobbying on issues

The day before the mayoral election, NZ's parliamentary election was held where women voted for first time in the world

Elizabeth was the first woman to vote in her local electorate under the new Electoral Act of 1893

On 29 Oct 1893, Elizabeth won Onehunga mayoralty, polling 120 votes which was 13 more than Frederick Court, a draper

Her win was described "red-letter day of the colony...the first lady Mayor having been elected...under the British flag"

On 5 Dec 1893, the Town Clerk, Angus Gordon, informed the Colonial Secretary that Elizabeth Yates had been elected Mayor

Congratulations were received by Elizabeth from Premier Richard John Seddon, who'd been elected on 1 May 1893

A letter of congratulations was also received by Elizabeth from Queen Victoria

The Queen had expressed her satisfaction at the positions of Mayor & JP having been achieved by a woman in NZ

On 20 Dec 1893, Elizabeth attended a formal ceremony where former mayor Erson handed over the keys to Council's building

He also advised her to remember the motto on the back of the Mayor’s chair “Be just and fear not” when giving judgements

Elizabeth's response to Erson's advice to observe the motto 'Be just and fear not" was also reported overseas

She said she'd been guided by a sense of justice all her life & spoke of a woman's value versus men in achieving changes

On 16 Jan 1894, Elizabeth Yates swore allegiance to Queen Victoria before the Supreme Court Judge Edward Conolly

As the mayoral role also conferred ex officio the role of Justice of the Peace (JP), Elizabeth also swore allegiance

Cartoon (27 Jan 1894) Bottom right: Depicting Elizabeth as Mayor and Justice of the Peace

Sketches (1894): 'A general view of Onehunga; the Lady Mayor's residence'

Published in The New Zealand Graphic and Ladies Journal, 7 July 1894, p.17

Sketches (1894): 'The domain of the Lady Mayor'

Mayor Elizabeth Yates reproved councillors' etiquette

Cartoon (7 April 1894) Top Left: Elizabeth "putting down an incipient rebellion among the councillors"

Curious spectators amongst the public also attended Council meetings to view proceedings

During one rowdy meeting, Mayor Elizabeth Yates ordered the members of the public to leave

Speaking rights of councillors were debated by Mayor Elizabeth Yates

Elizabeth's altercations with Councillors, including ex-mayor John Jackson (1877, 1884-85), were reported in newspapers

In Nov 1894, Elizabeth was re-nominated for the Mayoralty of Onehunga by General Stoddart but lost to Donald Sutherland

She had chosen not to personally canvas voters, which she had also not done during 1893 when she won the mayoralty

Mayoral results for elections held in NZ in Nov 1894 were headlined with "Defeat of the Lady Mayor"

The result of the Onehunga poll held on 27 Nov was: Yates: 56 and Sutherland: 142

In July 1895, Elizabeth was interviewed about her mayoral achievements by correspondent of Pall Mall Gazette, London

Interview, which was held in Elizabeth's home, was recounted by the Daily Telegraph (30 July 1895)

During the Sept 1895 Onehunga mayoral election, Elizabeth did not stand against Sutherland who was re-elected unapposed

Cartoon (24 Oct 1896) with caption "Peace at last in Onehunga..." over opening a new cemetery at Onehunga

"...Councillor J. D. Jackson & ex-Lady Mayor have joined hands and reconciled..." with Jackson agreeing to the cemetery

In Nov 1896 mayoral election, Elizabeth was defeated by Sutherland who was re-elected for a third term

Elizabeth polled 65, whereas Sutherland received 133 votes

Elizabeth did not stand for the Nov 1897 elections which led to conjecture by the Observer newspaper

The Observer wanted to know "Why Mrs Yates did not contest the Mayoralty of Onehunga?" (New Mayor was William Court)

During 1898, Elizabeth & her husband Michael joined members of the public in attending council meetings

The animated discussions on water supply were reported in the newspaper

Elizabeth & Michael also attended Onehunga ratepayers' meetings held on local issues, including waterworks

In Nov 1898, Elizabeth was unsuccessful in becoming mayor, receiving 111 votes, whilst Dr Erson received 182 votes

Cartoon on top left (3 Dec 1898) illustrates the Onehunga mayoralty race

Caption: "It's a very easy thing to spot the winner, but - 'we aint a going to tell'"

Elizabeth continued to join members of the public in attending Council meetings

Cartoon (18 March 1899): Top right: "Startling reappearance of the ex-Lady Mayor at the Onehunga Borough Council"

Cartoon: Mayor Erson canvassing & knocking on the door of Elizabeth Yates

Caption: A requisition had been going to households for signatures for Dr Erson to stand for a second term as Mayor

Lively council sessions with exchanges between Elizabeth, Town Clerk, Mayor, & other councillors were reported in news

On 31 Jan 1900, Elizabeth's husband Michael lost a by-election to fill a vacancy to join her as a Councillor

Michael polled 186, while John Brown received 257 votes

On 15 Oct 1900, Elizabeth re-elected as a Councillor. Dr Erson was re-elected as Mayor & he later retired in April 1901.

When nominations for Onehunga election closed on 13 April 1901, Elizabeth had been nominated for Mayor & for Councillor

On 24 April 1901, Elizabeth was defeated by Sutherland for the mayoralty & lost her councillor seat

Elizabeth received 173 votes & Sutherland 563 votes for mayoralty; & she polled 12th out of 15 for 9 councillor seats

Elizabeth's husband Michael passed away at their home aged 61 years on 25 Sept 1902

He was buried at the St Peter's cemetery

Obituaries in local newspapers included an account of Michael's exploits as a sea captain & mayoral role

On 25 Nov 1903, Elizabeth attended the wedding of her niece Eleanor Henshaw & Selwyn Hamlin at the St. Peter's Church

A wedding photo, including Elizabeth & her sister, is held by Auckland War Memorial Museum

In April 1904, at the Onehunga mayoral election, Donald Sutherland defeated Elizabeth by 370 votes to 147

In Oct 1905, Elizabeth was defeated in a by-election held for a councillor position

Her petition (16 Oct) against eligibility of the winner, Warren Blyth was eventually dismissed by the Judge on 11 Nov

In Nov 1909, Elizabeth was admitted to the Auckland Mental Hospital in Avondale where she resided until her death

Following the death of Michael & the waning of her political career, Elizabeth suffered with dementia

On 13 Jan 1916, Elizabeth's sister Eleanor Henshaw died aged 71 at her daughter & son-in-law's home in Panmure

Eleanor was buried in St. Peter's cemetery in the family plot near her husband Thomas who'd died in 1888

On 6 Sept 1918, Elizabeth died and her obituary appeared in newspapers in NZ and overseas

NZHistory (Updated 21-Mar-2023): Elizabeth Yates

NZ History (Updated 18 Sept 2020): First woman mayor in British Empire elected

RNZ (5 June 2015): Elizabeth Yates - First Woman Mayor in the British Empire (9:40mins)

Video of Elizabeth Yates was one of the 'Talking Portraits' created for ‘The Story of Auckland’ held 24 - 26 Jan 2015

Wikipedia: Elizabeth Yates (mayor)