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Doing It for Themselves: Women Fight for EqualityTe 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 (Unimom Allegro# Electric), about 2012, South Korea, by Unimom. Gift of Holly Walker, 2018. Te Papa (GH025334/1-14)

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

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

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)

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

Discover moreKia kitea ake

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.

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?

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.

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).

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.

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?

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.

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.

VIEW MORE ITEMS

Exhibition highlights

Taonga whakaatu

Thumbnail of Object: Women can do anything badge
Object

Women can do anything badge

Affirmative Action Limitedearly 1980sGH014496
Thumbnail of Object: Pussyhat
Object

Pussyhat

Erin Kennedy2017GH018161
Thumbnail of Object: Anovlar 21 contraceptive pill
Object

Anovlar 21 contraceptive pill

Schering AGcirca 1965GH022147
Thumbnail of Object: He poi manu
Object

He poi manu

Ngahina Hohaia2012GH017810
Thumbnail of Object: NOPE tee
Object

NOPE tee

NopeSisters Clothing2017GH018197
Thumbnail of Object: Newborn baby's hat
Object

Newborn baby's hat

Unknown2018GH018193
SEE MORE HIGHLIGHTS

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