On 19 September 1893, Aotearoa New Zealand became the first self-governing country in the world to enshrine in law the right for women to vote in parliamentary elections.

Alongside the tireless campaigning by many suffragists including Kate Shepard, Wāhine Māori were at the forefront of the suffragist movement, supporting the WCTU in seeking the right to vote for members of the New Zealand House of Representatives and fighting for their right to vote and to stand as members of Te Kotahitanga – the Māori Parliament (1892 - 1902).31,872 signatures were collected during a seven-year campaign across 13 petitions. Combined, this was the LARGEST petition ever gathered in Australasia! ... See MoreSee Less