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Whakatū Wāhine: Women in New Zealand

Explore stories that highlight diverse women’s experiences as they have made positive changes for themselves, their whānau, and their communities.

  • Woman at desk
    Women Workers of the National Museum and National Art Gallery, 1866-1966

    Women Workers of the National Museum and National Art Gallery, 1866-1966

    The names listed here are part of an ongoing research project that investigates the women who were employed by New Zealand’s National Museum and National Art Gallery during their first 100 years.

    Collections Online

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    Our Kates reflect on Kate Sheppard

    Our Kates reflect on Kate Sheppard

    What do Te Papa’s five Kates (well, four Kates and a Katie) have to say about their famous namesake, Kate Sheppard, who successfully led the quest for New Zealand women to gain the right to vote 125 years ago this year?

    Te Papa Blog

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    Don’t rock the boat in the murder house – women’s work in New Zealand (2425)

    Don’t rock the boat in the murder house – women’s work in New Zealand (2425)

    Museum studies intern Ashley Tvrdeic writes about the gender pay gap and the time when school dental nurses dared to ask for a pay rise.

    Te Papa Blog

  • Oil painting of a lady holding a pickaxe
    Female fossil hunters: Mary Ann Mantell, Mary Anning, and Joan Wiffen

    Female fossil hunters: Mary Ann Mantell, Mary Anning, and Joan Wiffen

    Scientist Lara Shepherd looks back at some pioneering female fossil hunters.

    Te Papa Blog

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    Inspiring stories about NZ women photographers – Louisa Herrmann (1864-1955)

    Inspiring stories about NZ women photographers – Louisa Herrmann (1864-1955)

    In 1892, the year before Louisa Herrmann signed the Women’s suffrage petition, her life was turned upside down. Louisa’s is an inspiring story for girls of all ages. Curator Historical Photography Lissa Mitchell shares her story.

    Te Papa Blog

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    Te ao Māori: The synergy between women and the land

    Te ao Māori: The synergy between women and the land

    Iwi development manager Migoto Eria looks at the relationship between Heretaunga chief Hēnare Tōmoana and his wife Ākenehi Pātoka, who signed the suffrage petition in 1893, and reflects on the synergy between wahine (women) and whenua (land).

    Te Papa Blog

  • Frances Parker's bravery medal
    Frances Parker's Suffragette medal

    Frances Parker's Suffragette medal

    Occasional demonstrator Leah McFall, and History Curator Claire Regnault, talk about how Frances Parker fought for women's suffrage in Britain and women's marches today.

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    RNZ podcast series: Beyond Kate

    RNZ podcast series: Beyond Kate

    Exploring 125 years of women's suffrage in New Zealand, and the challenges that women face in a society where the rules continue to shift.

  • Photograph of a vivid purple Electric storm
    The history of purple, from ancient Rome to women’s rights

    The history of purple, from ancient Rome to women’s rights

    ‘Ultra Violet 18-3838’ is 2018’s ‘colour of the year’, as selected by Pantone Color Institute. History curator Kirstie Ross looks at the symbolism of purple from ancient Rome to the fight for women’s rights.

    Te Papa Blog

  • Ladies on bikes
    Pedalling to freedom: 19th century cycling dress for women

    Pedalling to freedom: 19th century cycling dress for women

    “A woman on a bicycle – legs astride – threatened 19th-century definitions of feminine respectability.” History Curator Claire Regnault dives into the contentious history of ladies on bicycles.

    Te Papa Blog

  • Xena's outfit
    Xena's costume

    Xena's costume

    Ngila Dickson one of the makers of Xena's costume, and History Curator Claire Regnault, discuss the creation of Xena, how she changed New Zealand's film industry, and how she became an international feminist icon.

  • Blue flags which say 'We the People’.
    Women’s rights are human rights: Collecting protest objects

    Women’s rights are human rights: Collecting protest objects

    Women activists have produced a rich trail of protest objects including the ‘monster’ suffrage petition of 1893. History Curator Stephanie Gibson highlights some memorable objects of the Women’s Marches held on 21 January 2017.

    Te Papa Blog

  • Independent women invest here poster
    Bring Back Kate! What does suffrage in 2018 mean to you?

    Bring Back Kate! What does suffrage in 2018 mean to you?

    History curator Katie Cooper discusses some of the objects in our collection that highlight challenges or milestones in the fight for women’s rights. She asks, what do you think we should collect to mark the anniversary of the suffrage movement?

    Te Papa Blog

  • Matariki Williams
    Women across Te Papa talk about their voting experiences

    Women across Te Papa talk about their voting experiences

    During the last election, we thought it timely to think about voting and the 125th anniversary of women’s suffrage in Aotearoa. We asked women across Te Papa to reflect on their experiences with voting. Read three posts featuring personal anecdotes and memories on the topic.

    Te Papa Blog

  • Women’s Social and Political Union Medal for Valour
    New Zealanders and the British suffrage movement

    New Zealanders and the British suffrage movement

    Find out how New Zealanders Frances Parker and Lady Anna Stout contributed to the suffrage movement in Britain.

  • Women Now book cover
    Women Now: The Legacy of Female Suffrage

    Women Now: The Legacy of Female Suffrage

    Twelve dynamic essays by leading New Zealand thinkers mark 125 years since New Zealand won the right to vote

  • Installation photograph of the suffrage exhibition
    Doing It for Themselves: Women Fight for Equality

    Doing It for Themselves: Women Fight for Equality

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

    Closed
    19 Sep 2018 – 13 Oct 2019

    Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga