Past exhibitions Closed

'Doing It for Themselves: Women Fight for Equality' exhibition

Doing It for Themselves: Women Fight for Equality Te Tohe mō ngā Take Wāhine

Women in Aotearoa New Zealand won the right to vote 125 years ago. With this mini exhibition, we honour women who fought, and continue to fight, for gender equality.

plan your visit
  • When | Āhea 19 Sep 2018 – 13 Oct 2019
  • Where | Ki hea Level 3
  • Cost | Te utu Free entry
  • Ages | Te reanga All ages
  • Allow | Me whakarite 20 minutes
  • Accessibility | E wātea ana ki
    • Wheelchair accessible

    Find out more about accessibility at Te Papa

Some of the objects featured in this small exhibition were acquired this year to celebrate Suffrage 125. Included are items from the Right Honourable Jacinda Ardern and Clarke Gayford, Dame Jenny Shipley, Luamanuvao Dame Winnie Laban, and former Green MP Holly Walker.

Also represented are Nope Sisters Clothing, Women’s Refuge, MyCup NZ, and Women Walk and Work for Peace.

Other objects were already in Te Papa’s collection and feature in a new book from Te Papa Press titled Women Now: The Legacy of Female Suffrage. These include He poi manu by artist Ngahina Hohaia, the Anovlar 21 contraceptive pill, and the $10 banknote featuring Kate Sheppard.

These are tools women have used in their fight for positive change, and markers of their success.

  • Breast pump
    1/5

    Breast pump (Unimom Allegro# Electric), about 2012, South Korea, by Unimom. Gift of Holly Walker, 2018. Te Papa (GH025334/1-14)

  • Pink badge with the words 'Women can do anything'
    2/5

    Badge, 'Women can do anything', 1980s, New Zealand, maker unknown. Gift of Anne Else, 2004. Te Papa (GH014496)

  • The contraceptive pill
    3/5

    Anovlar 21 contraceptive pill, 1965, Germany, by Schering AG. Gift of Dame Margaret Sparrow, 2011. Te Papa (GH022147)

  • Medal
    4/5

    Women's Social and Political Union Medal for Valour, 1912, England, by Toye & Co. Purchased 2016. CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Te Papa (GH024772)

  • Pink knitted hat
    5/5

    Pussyhat, 2017, New Zealand, by Erin Kennedy. Gift of Erin Kennedy, 2017. CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Te Papa (GH018161)

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