A word from the Mayor
On Friday 19th of September, it was a privilege to attend an event run by Rural Women NZ and Young Farmers NZ at Kate Sheppard House in Clyde Road Christchurch.
A panel discussion was led by Hurunui food and fibre producer Rebecca Hyde. The panel consisted of the Minister for Women Nicola Grigg, Hurunui Rural Woman NZ Board member and businesswoman Annette Marr and Jessica Wilson NZ Young Farmer National committee vice-chair. The discussion focused on women in leadership roles, exploring the challenges and opportunities and of equal relevance was the location at 83 Clyde Road where Kate Sheppard lived between 1888-1902 during her most active campaign for women’s rights. The nationally and internationally celebrated heroine was at the helm of a long campaign that secured the right for women to vote in elections. The historic home is the place where she pasted together petitions onto sheets of wallpaper to present to parliament and the place where she hosted many events relevant to women’s suffrage, and all this work led to New Zealand becoming the first country to establish voting for women.
History reminds us that on 19th September 1893 Governor Lord Glasgow signed a new Electoral Act into law and New Zealand became the first self-governing country in the world to enshrine in law the right for women to vote in parliamentary elections.
Heritage NZ states on their website “Kate Sheppard championed the vote so that women could be involved in decision-making to make the world a better place”. The suffrage campaign was the result of immense effort from women and women’s rights. This stunning location is now owned by the government and is operated by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Tonaga as a heritage destination open to the public. It aims to recognise the significant activities Kate Sheppard carried out at this place, and to continue to tell the story of women’s rights and social reform.
Kate Shepperd’s work is recognised with the symbol of a White Camellia to characterise social purity and empowerment, and during this time of local body elections her quote is as meaningful today as ever
“Do not think your single vote does not matter much – the rain that refreshes the parched ground is made up of single drops”
Currently our district like others up and down the country is amid the 3 yearly local body election cycle, I urge everyone both men and women to exercise this democratic right. You should have received your papers so drop them into the orange container at the local council office or post now as they need to be received by midday 11 October 2025. If you have recently turned 18 years or moved into our area and want to enrol or check your details vote.nz is the Electoral Commission website.
