 |
|
September-October 2024, Issue 649 | Action Hubs | News | GenderEqual NZ | |
Table of Contents
 |
| Carol Beaumont |
Carol Beaumont steps in for the president's kōrero
I welcome the opportunity to reflect as I finish my term on the Board. I was sorry to be unable to attend the recent Conference in Ōtautahi – Christchurch. I hear it was successful and I wish the new Board (new and existing members) all the best.
I step down from the Board after a very intense and interesting time with Te Kaunihera Wāhine o Aotearoa/NCWNZ over 12 years – as a Convenor, Branch President, and Board member. Prior to that I worked with NCWNZ in my role as NZCTU Secretary collaborating on matters like the CEDAW report. I have been unable to contribute much to NCW recently due to the ill health of my partner, but I remain a member and will involve myself as I can.
I am proud of this organisation – it has a long and important history and has survived many challenges over the 128 years we have been in existence. As an organisation we have played a key role in proposing change, scrutinising initiatives, and publicly challenging gender inequality. We have been at the forefront of change. An example I recall from some time ago when I was writing a speech about women’s pay was realising that NCWNZ had policy about equal pay since our inception and about pay equity from the 1950s. Our success has been from the diversity of organisations and individuals making up NCWNZ where despite different views we have been able to join together on issues that matter to women and children.
I am pleased to have played a role in the restructuring of NCWNZ in 2022 to better reflect our circumstances and the reality of societal changes. The change process was one of the most challenging but satisfying experiences I have had. While it is not perfect, we have survived and have developed new ways of working. I want to particularly acknowledge all those who take on leadership roles in the organisation – at Branch, Action Hub, and national levels. This work is driven by a shared belief in pursuing gender equity for all.
We have given greater recognition to intersectionality and the different experiences and needs of different groups of women. We have also acknowledged the need to develop as an organisation recognising and honouring Te Tiriti. These are still works in progress I believe.
Recently I had the interesting and challenging experience as part of a global group in developing an action plan for gender equality by 2030. This plan has been signed off by representatives of 80 countries from both the global south and north. We recognised commonalities that are not surprising – gender-based violence, the care gap, the need for economic independence, the pay gap, the lack of women in leadership roles and more. We also acknowledged that in many countries there is a real risk of progress towards gender equality going backwards.
Two important processes I believe apply everywhere, including for us in Aotearoa, are gender auditing and gender budgeting. We need to continue to push Government (local and central), businesses and institutions to scrutinise and resource initiatives by looking at impacts on women (with an intersectional lens) if we want to make progress. Irrespective of political differences I believe this is important for us in NCWNZ to promote this approach including within our own organisations.
Arohanui,
Carol Beaumont
National AGM and conference October 5th
We in the NCWNZ Ōtautahi Christchurch Branch were thrilled with the success of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and conference on Saturday, October 5th at The Commodore Hotel in Ōtautahi Christchurch.
It was an absolute pleasure to host NCWNZ members from across the motu, as well as attendees from other organisations who support our mahi. The venue was great (apart from access to the lift which could have been easier!!) and allowed for easy mixing and mingling, while also providing excellent spaces for presentations and yummy food! The morning workshops were very popular and many of us learned a lot more about the organisations who shared their stories. It was particularly rewarding to be able to create ongoing links between NCWNZ and these groups. Some have even joined NCWNZ as organisations and others were keen to look at future collaborations to help support women and girls in our communities. In the afternoon, the workshops focused on issues that the NCWNZ Action Hubs are working on, which provided a wonderful opportunity for members to discuss ideas face to face.
The AGM was well attended. Thanks to the Board and especially, Coco, the Board administrator for organising this part of the day.
The dinner was a relaxed and fun affair. We think people liked the quiz as a warmup to the evening. Again, this was a chance to chat and share information about what each Branch might be doing over a lovely meal provided by The Commodore.
Louise and Penny, the conference convenors, would like to thank Suzanne and Coco for their contributions to the conference organisation and also Sue Bingham, for taking on the financial side and making it all work out!
The photos - here and above - taken by Megan Thompson give a bit of an idea of how the day looked for those who couldn't attend.
by
Louise Tapper
Co-President, NCWNZ Ōtautahi Christchurch Branch
Also see a photo of those NCWNZ Life members attending the Annual General Meeting in Christchurch: (from left) Beryl Anderson, Rae Duff, Christine Knock and Christine Low. Photo supplied by Christine Knock.
NCWNZ Internship - Farewell from Coco
 |
| A selfie at a visit to Rotorua hot pools. Photo supplied by Coco Clellend. |
Kia ora koutou,
My name is Coco, and as some of you may know, I have been interning for NCWNZ for the past two months as the board administrator. A recent History graduate from the UK, I was looking for experience in international relations, gender advocacy, and politics. Combining this experience with overseas travel I thought would be an added bonus, which led me to NCWNZ, and I suddenly found myself on the other side of the world!
Working with the Board, Parliamentary Watch Committee (PWC), and the Action Hubs, as well as interacting with the members has been an incredibly enriching experience. The range of projects that I have had an insight into and the opportunity to assist with, such as drafting PWC submissions or taking minutes for meetings covering a diverse range of topics from offshore wind farming to discussing the UN’s 2025 Commission for the Status of Women with the Ministry for Women, has been a fascinating and invaluable experience.
 |
| An art piece that caught Coco's eye during the Suffrage tour of Parliament she attended with the Wellington branch. |
The opportunity to attend a range of engaging and pertinent talks has been a particular highlight, affirming my passion for international relations and expanding my political acumen. Thank you to the Wellington Branch for circulating the events happening! A particular standout was the panel discussion "Argentina & New Zealand in Antarctica: Multilateral Diplomacy & Scientific Collaboration." It was a unique and captivating insight into the importance of multilateral relations in a field of which I had little to no knowledge. Hearing about this unexpected partnership in preserving Antarctica and witnessing diplomats from around the world endorsing each other’s efforts was both eye-opening and inspiring. I was also fortunate to have the chance to speak personally with some of the diplomats in attendance, including someone from the Malyasian Embassy in New Zealand, who had just embarked on her first overseas posting.
My main project during the internship was assisting with the planning and execution annual NCWNZ Conference and Annual General Meeting. This culminated in a fantastic event, and it was wonderful to finally meet so many of the members I had been in contact with online. The workshops sparked insightful discussions, and networking with such a passionate and inspiring group of women was a true pleasure. The sunny weather also allowed me to explore the beautiful city of Christchurch, making the weekend all the more special.
 |
| Coco attended an All Blacks game. |
Overall, my time at NCWNZ has been a rewarding and unforgettable experience, standing me in good stead to pursue a career in international relations. I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the whole team at NCWNZ, especially Suzanne (and Bruce!) for their overwhelming kindness and generosity in opening their home to me and showing me what both NCWNZ and New Zealand have to offer.
Now I am heading down to Wanaka for a month before travelling for a further three months, making my way back home to the UK! Next, I plan to start a Masters in international relations beginning in September 2025.
Ngā mihi nui,
Coco Clelland
Women at the table on climate change
At the end of August, the National Council of Women New Zealand’s (NCWNZ) International and Climate and Environmental Sustainability Action Hubs, Wellington Branch, and the Council for International Development, came together to co-host a panel discussion focused on ‘Women at the table on Climate Change’.
The panel was moderated by NCWNZ member, author and former Green Party MP, Sue Kedgley, and featured a range of political, government and civil society perspectives - both here and in the Pacific. Speakers included:
- Dr. Gill Greer – Former President of NCWNZ and Former CEO of New Zealand Family Planning
- Noelene Nabulivou – Executive Director of Diverse Voices and Action (DIVA) for Equality
- Jessica Palairet – Executive Director at Lawyers for Climate Action NZ Inc.
- Jacqui Ruesga – Manager of the International Carbon Markets team at the Ministry for the Environment
- Chloe Swarbrick – Co-Leader of the Green Party and Climate Change spokesperson
Attendance was strong: a full house filling the lecture room space at Victoria University of Wellington, and many more online including one of the panellists, Noelene Nabulivou, dialling in from Fiji.
 |
| Panel (L-R): Sue Kedgley, Dr. Gill Greer, Jacqui Ruesga, Jessica Palairet, Chloe Swarbrick, and Noelene Nabulivou |
The panel discussion covered a range of topics, such as fulfilment of the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Agreement and other international treaties, climate legal action, reforming and using our laws to address climate change, and climate justice both in Aotearoa New Zealand as well as in the South Pacific and globally. There was also discussion about what more needs to be done to mitigate (not just adapt) to climate change and how to make sure women’s voices are included at the table where these discussions are taking place.
A recording of the event can be found on the National Council of Women New Zealand Youtube channel here:
Another climate action event is scheduled for 4 December 2024. Details, including how to register, will be made available closer to the event. But for now, save the date!
by
Katherine Dickerson, NCWNZ Wellington Branch
NCWNZ collaboration for alternative CEDAW Report 2024
NCWNZ led the creation of a collaborative report from sixteen Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to the United Nations (UN) and submitted in September 2024. This report presented an alternate set of data to the Government’s response on New Zealand’s implementation of our requirements for the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
CEDAW, adopted by the UN in 1979, requires countries who sign this UN human rights treaty to eliminate discrimination against women and girls in all areas. New Zealand ratified this treaty in 1985.
"CEDAW Demystified: State Obligation," 3-minute video by
International Women's Rights Action Watch Asia Pacific
In April 2024, a delegation of New Zealand was led by Mr. Paul Goldsmith, Minister of Justice, to present the periodic review report to the UN at the 46th Session of Universal Periodic Review. You can see the video of this archived on the UN Web TV channel at https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1a/k1apcm8lnl. If you haven't seen the UN's recommendations to New Zealand, it can be quite startling to read: https://documents.un.org/doc/undoc/gen/g24/017/92/pdf/g2401792.pdf. The nation's report penned by the coalition government deserved an alternative point of view.
Contributors to this alternate report were:
- Community Law Centres o Aotearoa
- E Tū – Stand Tall Union
- Graduate Women New Zealand | Whakaminenga Wahine o Aotearoa kua whiwhi Tohu
- National Council of Women of New Zealand | Te Kaunihera Wahine o Aotearoa
- New Zealand Council of Trade Unions – Te Kauae Kaimahi
- New Zealand Federation of Business and Professional Women
- New Zealand Nurses Organisation – Toputanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa
- New Zealand Public Service Association – Te Pukenga Here Tikanga Mahi
- New Zealand Educational Institute | Te Riu Roa
- NZPC (New Zealand Prostitutes Collective) | Te Waka Kaimahi Kairau o Aotearoa | New Zealand Sex Workers' Collective
- Peace Movement Aotearoa
- Rural Women New Zealand
- The Salvation Army
- Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa
- Wellington Indian Association
- YWCA Aotearoa
“In coordinating this report with other organisations, there was a clear finding that New Zealand’s Government has failed to implement the UN’s call for gender mainstreaming. As the first nation in the world to empower all women with the right to vote, this outcome is a profound disappointment. NGOs are telling us they are concerned about persistent inequality and our lack of progress in areas like poverty, gender-based violence, and pay gaps in Aotearoa,” said Dr Suzanne Manning, President of NCWNZ.
Dellwyn Stuart, CEO for YWCA, will be representing the NCWNZ alternative report at Geneva in the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council.
See the NCWNZ News press release at:
https://www.ncwnz.org.nz/cedaw_report_finds_minimal_progress_on_equality
Download the report (.pdf file) for yourself here:
https://assets.nationbuilder.com/ncwnz/pages/1469/attachments/original/1726046037/Women_experiencing_discrimination_final.pdf?1726046037
CEDAW 2024 - Dellwyn Stuart (YWCA) tells how it went
It was an honour to attend Aotearoa’s CEDAW review in Geneva on behalf of NCWNZ.
It was a long stretch between reviews with COVID and a lack of funds making the UN reflect on how it does things. But the CEDAW Committee of elected experts in gender matters was alive and fiery and brought impressive understanding of New Zealand to their questions.
In the first week I attended the International Women's Rights Action Watch (IWRAW) Global to Local training alongside P.A.C.I.F.IC.A. President Repeka Lelaulu, Caroline Herewini of Women’s Homelessness Coalition and Dr Rogena Sterling representing Pacific Women’s Watch (PWW). This training gave us a good overview of CEDAW and how the process works. However, the real benefit was getting to know fellow attendees from Aotearoa and figuring out our rhythm for the week ahead.
 |
| (left to right): Repeka Lelaulu (P.A.C.I.F.I.C.A.), Dr Rogena Sterling (PWW), Ana Peláez Narváez (Chair, CEDAW Committee), Dellwyn Stuart (YWCA), Caroline Herewini (Women’s Homelessness Coalition) |
For our ten-minute oral statement, we opted not to play the videos that others had kindly provided. Instead, we reviewed the video scripts and incorporated the key points into our two minutes each. We weren’t convinced the videos would work – no one else used them. Lots of questions meant our one anticipated free day – Day Two - was spent huddled together getting the answers to the Committee.
Day Three was our private lunch with members of the Committee. This was well attended and there were lots more questions and written responses to prepare. Our goal was to ensure the Committee would ask the questions of the Government that we wanted to see answered by them.
Then Day Four, we could breathe out and watch the Government be questioned for five hours. All our priority points were picked up and we look forward to seeing them come through in the report.
It was an exhausting process, like taking an exam every day! Now we wait for the report (the Concluding Observations).
While away, the kiwi NGOs discussed how we could shape the Ministry for Women’s International Women’s Caucus differently to ensure that the NGOs are in the driving seat and continue to hold government to task on the report outcomes. We think the travelling NGO reps would benefit from a bit more structure at home, leading up to attending CEDAW. The challenge is the long gap between reviews, and it looks like they will move to an eight-year cycle! We are also keen to make CEDAW more visible – some media attention at key milestones.
Next May the Committee is trialling travelling to a region – the Pacific in this instance- to conduct the reviews of the countries in that region. This will be a first for them. It will be held in Fiji and is an attempt to decrease the cost for the countries involved. It would be good to have someone from Aotearoa attend and observe as it will give us great insight into what’s happening for women in our neighbourhood.
NGO representatives
- Repeka Lelaulu (P.A.C.I.F.IC.A.)
- Rogena Sterling (PWW)
- Dellwyn Stuart (YWCA)
- Caroline Herewini (Women’s Homelessness Coalition)
- Shasha Ali (Shakti)
- Ma Tin
- Carolyn Savage (BPWNZ)
Human Rights Commission representatives
- Saunoamaali’i Dr Karanina Sumeo
- Brittany Peck
Government representatives
- Kellie Coombes, Chief Executive Ministry for Women
- Anna MacDonald, Policy Manager, Ministry for Women
- Emma Powell, Chief Executive of the Interdepartmental Executive Board for the Elimination of Family and Sexual Violence
- Paula Rawiri, Deputy Secretary Policy at Te Puni Kōkiri
- Nathan Glassey, Deputy Permanent Representative (UN)
UN Web TV
- Informal meeting with non-governmental organizations and human rights institutions
- Consideration of New Zealand
- Consideration of New Zealand (continued)
by Dellwyn Stuart
YWCA, representing NCWNZ coordinated report
Suffrage Day event on future of women in construction
The National Association of Women in Construction NZ (NAWIC) in partnership with the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) hosted a panel of industry leaders and role models in Wellington on Suffrage Day 2024. The topic was "We Belong - Women Pioneering the Future in Construction."
Panellists were Prof Deidre Brown (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu) an architectural historian and head of Te Pare School of Architecture and Planning; Beryl Anderson ONZM, NCWNZ; Antoinette Howard, a BCITO apprentice; and Alice Carmody, Director of Choice Commercial and Quantity Surveyor; and, Kate Saunders, chair. There were around 100 people in the audience.
 |
| Panellists at the National Library in Wellington - l to r: Deirdre Brown, Beryl Anderson, Antoinette Howard, Alic Carmody, Kate Saunders. |
Many issues were covered such as the number of female architectural students had grown to more than 50%, and the need to challenge stereotypes – for example, women in the workplace should not be the ones loading the company's dishwasher every time. Role models are essential.
The importance of flexibility and changing mindsets was emphasised, such as male colleagues taking career breaks for childcare. Men taking time off for childcare not only enriches their lives but normalises the practice, potentially narrowing the gender pay gap. Government policies could drive this change. Scandinavia leads by example, mandating paid family leave for both parents and even grandparents. This approach could be a blueprint for fostering workplace and domestic gender equality.
The panellists also pointed out that cultural sexism is an issue. There is more racism than sexism on work sites - a heartbreaking reality. There are overprotective attitudes from men due to concerns about gender ratios within construction. To overcome this, protective fathers need to be included in the journey, showing them that the industry is safe and normal.
Attendees were encouraged to inspire change for the future of construction to be inclusive.
by
Beryl Anderson ONZM
Pio Smith, UNFPA Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific
On Monday, 16th September, NCWNZ President Suzanne Manning, accompanied by Intern Coco Clelland, had the privilege of attending an insightful talk hosted by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The UNFPA, the UN’s sexual and reproductive health agency, is dedicated to achieving a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. Central to their mission is the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls to understand and take control of their bodies, thereby working towards ending preventable maternal deaths, gender-based violence, and harmful practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation.
The talk was delivered at the Rutherford House by Pio Smith, the UNFPA Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific. The most memorable takeaway was Mr Smith’s highlighting of one of the key drivers behind shifting attitudes toward sexual education. In keeping with the UNFPA motto, “ensuring rights and choices for all,” Mr Smith underscored the significance of reproductive rights, emphasising the stark differences in opportunities available to a girl who can choose if and when she becomes pregnant versus a girl who faces an unwanted pregnancy due to a lack of education or access to contraception. The disparity between the futures of these two girls is profound. Mr Smith pointed to this image as a key motivator for change, sharing personal stories from his upbringing in Roman Catholic Ireland as well as his travels to remote islands where attitudes shifted as people witnessed the transformative impact of reproductive choice. One particularly noteworthy example was a group of nuns eager to showcase their sexual education class led by a young man- an unexpected yet powerful symbol of changing norms.
Mr Smith also stressed the vital role of men and boys in the conversation about sexual and reproductive health, noting that inclusive dialogue is crucial for progress. Furthermore, funding for research and accurate data collection is essential to raise awareness and implement targeted, effective change.
Mr Smith highlighted a critical issue: women and girls are not merely forgotten or ignored; they are being actively held back. He provided a powerful example from his time in Afghanistan, where he personally witnessed the suffering endured by young girls. The erosion of women’s rights, however, is a global concern, illustrated by alarming examples such as the recent overturning of Roe v Wade in the United States.
Drawing on the pivotal Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing in 1995, Mr Smith reiterated Hillary Clinton’s timeless statement that “women’s rights are human rights,” underlining that the goal should not only be gender equality but gender equity. Equity requires that women not only have a place at the table but also power at the table. Mr Smith provided the example of female police officers— it is not enough for women to be represented in the police force; they must also be available and empowered to assist other women, particularly those fleeing gender-based violence. Additionally, male officers must be adequately trained to respond to these cases with the care and sensitivity required.
The UNFPA's State of World Population Report 2024, Interwoven Lives, Threads of Hope: Ending Inequalities in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, was presented to the New Zealand Parliamentarians Group on Population and Development at New Zealand Parliament on 17 September 2024. For those interested in delving deeper into the subject, the UNFPA’s 2024 Report offers a comprehensive examination of how to end inequalities in sexual and reproductive health and rights.
by
Coco Clelland, NCWNZ Board Administrator
Women in Governance Awards
NCWNZ made a strong showing at this year’s Women in Governance Awards, run by Women on Boards NZ, a division of the Chartered Governance Institute. These awards are set up to recognise diverse women on boards throughout Aotearoa and have been growing in strength every year. The emphasis is on championing gender diversity and/or gender equity in a variety of different sectors. I was delighted to be nominated by the NCWNZ Board and head office team for the Not-for-profit category, and even more so to be selected as a finalist – and therefore attend the flash awards dinner at the Auckland Hilton Hotel.
 |
| Hansa Naran and Pushpa Wood at Women in Governance Awards 2024 |
I certainly was in good company, with NCWNZ’s Hansa Naran (Manukau), a finalist in the Ethnic Communities category, along with Pushpa Wood. We all got to wear a white camellia wrist corsage, as you can see in the photos taken by Norrie Montgomery on the night.
There were exceptional women in the room that night, which would have made it very hard for the judges. Congratulations to all the winners, including Maia Faulkner of GirlGuiding NZ, winner of the Not-for-profit award, and Claire Williamson of Rural Women NZ, winner of the Rising Governance Star award. NCWNZ is proud to have both of those organisations as members!
 |
| Suzanne Manning and Maia Faulkner with her friends (Maia with red flowers) |
It was also wonderful to see Traci Houpapa recognised with a lifetime achievement award. Traci has been a strong voice for women, and for wāhine Māori, in a multitude of public sector boards – often as chair. She has made a significant impact on policy and its implementation that benefits women, and thoroughly deserves to be recognised for this mahi.
by
Suzanne Manning, Proud President 😊
NCWNZ Past President Janet Hesketh QSM, CNZM
This is the first of a series of articles focusing on the NCWNZ Past Presidents Oral History Project with interviews by Carol Dawber in 2016. See the introductory article in The Circular at "NCWNZ Past Presidents oral history interviews from 2016" (August 2024).
 |
| Janet Hesketh at Celebrating Women reception, Government House, Wellington, on 26 November 2013. From Wikimedia Commons. |
Janet May Hesketh née MacKenzie QSM, CNZM, was the President of the National Council of Women of New Zealand (NCWNZ) from 1994 to 1998. Her work as president included advocating for the 1995 UN Beijing Platform for Action and hosting the executive committee of the International Council of Women (ICW) in 1996.
Janet May MacKenzie was born 23 December 1934 in Hamilton, the eldest daughter of Lilian May Harris and Eric Bruce Mackenzie. Her father was an electrical engineer and head of the New Zealand electricity department which meant the family moved several times in her childhood. The family moved to Nelson in 1940 (where she attended primary school) then in 1946 to Wellington. She graduated from Wellington East Girls College where she played hockey, track, and was a member of the Student Christian Movement, attending the Korori Anglican parish of St. Mary's at Korori. She attended Victoria University where she majored in geography. Very few women then graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree as she did. She taught the demonstration sections for the geography university students and worked as a cartographer. In 1955-56 she started a master's degree on the socio-economic conditions in Karori. In 1957 she taught at Otago Girls High (with no teacher training) for one year and met her husband who was then in dental school - Clive Rossill Hesketh. They married 21 Dec 1957. When she started having children, she dropped out of her graduate program and gave her data to someone else in the department, knowing that she was not going to finish her degree.
She had four children and worked at home as well as pitched in as administrative support for her husband's dentistry surgery office. She told Carol Dawber in an oral history interview in 2016 that she never expected to go back to work - and besides, her husband Clive was "a dominant man" who had said publicly that "no wife of mine is going to work." Her children, Brigit, Alan, Diana, and Margaret, were all involved in swimming and water polo so she became a timekeeper/judge; her three daughters took up Girl Guides, became a leader then commissioner in charge of the camping in her district. At the same time she was involved in the Mother's Union - later named the Association of Anglican Women (AAW). Hesketh met Miriam Dell (a former NCWNZ president) through this group. In the 1960s she became a member of the Social Responsibility Association of Anglicans taking part in lobbying, putting out papers to parishes, and presenting submissions to Parliament as part of an inter-church alliance that would take on political issues. She often served as Dell's proxy at AAW and NCWNZ meetings, and by the late 1970s she started going regularly to NCWNZ Wellington branch meetings as the AAW representative.
In 1980 Hesketh joined the NCWNZ Parliamentary Watch Committee, serving as convener after her first year; and, in 1984 she became national secretary of NCWNZ. That year the NCWNZ national office organised women's forums around the nation to discuss the ratification of the UN Treaty (CEDAW). Though NCWNZ had passed a resolution to ratify it, there was a healthy debate among the many women's organisations hosting the conversations. She edited the NCWNZ's newsletter The Circular from 1986-1992 which gave her experience in how NCWNZ's submissions process worked, helped draft policy and share that information out to the branch membership. In 1988 she was elected NCWNZ Vice President under Jocelyn Fish, who was also a leader in the AAW. According to Dorothy Page, the NCWNZ had in the year ending July 1989 made 68 submissions to parliamentary select committees.
Hesketh told Carol Dawber in her 2016 interview that she believed women's leadership starts in local meetings with asking questions then one's confidence builds. She also admitted that her family expected her to be home full-time, and that she believed that she would not have been NCWNZ president if she had not broken up with her husband Clive when she did.
Hesketh followed upon the presidency of Alison Roxburgh and the joyful 1993 Suffrage Year. Several books were published under her watch. In 1995 Roxburgh's Home Economics Standing Committee published the NCW Centennial Recipe Book. In 1996 Dame Stella Casey organised the publication of the NCWNZ's register of 1700 resolutions dating from 1896 to 1995: One Hundred Years of Resolution: NCW N.Z., 1896-1996. Hesketh added warnings in her "Postscript" to Dorothy Page's centennial history of the National Council of Women of New Zealand. Hesketh worried that women's organisations had fewer members, and the average age of those members was rising. She worried that women were not being appointed to decision-making bodies in the public or private sectors and that the "consciousness of the reasons for appointing women has decreased." She was sure that the NCWNZ served as an important supporter of the Ministry of Women's Affairs which was then just a decade old and under threat. She wrote that the NCWNZ needed to:
....review our methods, our organisation and our attitudes to society so that we will attract women whose lifestyles are different... in an age of specialisation the NCW offers integration and a holistic approach, and even if it is not fashionable, the council must continue to work in this style, always emphasising the value of the interdependence of all parts of society." (pp. 187-188)
Hesketh was in China for the 1995 Beijing conference at which the NZ Minister for Women's Affairs, Jenny Shipley, spoke on behalf of New Zealand. The parallel NGO Forum was held in Huairou for two weeks. Hesketh was one of only eight NGO representatives for NZ at these conferences. At the main conference with 6,000 government delegates and 4,000 accredited NGO representatives, representing 189 countries, The Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action was adopted unanimously. The Beijing Platform emphasised the reproductive rights of women, and conservative groups such as the New Zealand chapter for the World Woman's Christian Temperance Union, split away from the NCWNZ over this issue. Nevertheless, considered the premiere document of global agreement on strategic objectives and actions for the achievement of gender equality, the Beijing Platform for Action continues to serve an important role in defining and measuring legal advances for women. (The 30-year review will take place during the Commission’s 69th session to be held in March 2025.)
Hesketh traveled to China the next year to return a visit they had received from representatives of the All China Women's Federation. In her interview with Carol Dawber in 2016, she recalled her visit that year and trying in vain to ask the women's groups about the conditions of factory workers and women's reproductive health issues. These topics were considered by their hosts to be too sensitive to deserve much in-depth discussion. That year she led the festivities when New Zealand hosted the ICW executive meeting with representatives from all over the world. When the Nigerian representatives were denied a visa, Hesketh had to write letters to a multitude of parliamentarians and agencies. She hand-delivered them. The decision was reversed.
In 1997 the Minister of Women's Affairs was exiled from Cabinet, and in December 1997 Jenny Shipley became leader of the National-led coalition and the first woman Prime Minister with an election that brought in women for a record-breaking 30% of the new Parliament. Hesketh worried in her interview with Carol Dawber in 2016 that the number of NCW branches was falling and fewer submissions were being presented.
In her zeal to keep NCWNZ relevant, she sounded a trumpet call in her final President's message in The Circular (October 1998):
NCW processes are slow. We have prided ourselves on trying to be consultative, on involving the individual members of affiliated societies, not just those who represent them at NCW Branch meetings. But society and its younger members, now expect fast results, fast comments on new issues. How is an organisation like NCW going to adapt itself to answer these expectations? ... During the time I have been involved with NCW I have been frequently disappointed that the representatives to NCW Branches, when considering new directions or changes to their procedures say, "but all of us here are happy with what we do" and refuse to make more than very minimal changes. The world is passing us by.
Already a recipient of the Queen's Service Medal (in 1988), Hesketh was made a Companion of the NZ Order of Merit in 1996 for her work in the NCWNZ. Janet Hesketh died at 83 on 29 August 2018. Her obituary in the Waikato Times celebrated her leadership as NCWNZ president.
Some of what's happening at local branches
On a crisp winter's morning, the NCW Dunedin Branch hosted its eighth annual Inspiring Young Women breakfast. The venue reached capacity as 103 senior secondary school students and teachers gathered to enjoy a cooked breakfast and be inspired by our panel of speakers.
Each year a subcommittee of the branch endeavours to garner speakers from across a diverse range of non-traditional employment options, with particular emphasis on the journey each presenter has taken to where they are today. The rationale for this, is to demonstrate to the young women present, that on whatever path their journey in life starts, they can successfully transition in another direction should necessity dictate, or if they choose to.
This year's panel of six presenters included Emma Gilmore, Racing car driver and business owner; Shona Low, Senior Detective Dunedin CIB; Mandy Hudson-Prattley, Company CEO and volunteer; Vanda Symon, Crime Writer researcher; Annabel Taylor, Paramedic and Bee Keeper; and Hannah Power, Refrigeration Electrician.
By
Beverly Henderson NCWNZ Dunedin Branch
--|-|--
In recent years, the NCW Manawatu branch has had the policy of inviting speakers every few months, for our own edification as well as advertising an NCW presence in the local community. Our combined networks have generated a variety of remarkably interesting and educational presentations. .
The 2024 year began with Mike Manson, CEO of ALGIM, exploring the topic of "Emerging Technologies." He gave us an enlightening survey of the future place of drones, robots, driverless cars, and 3D printing, and encouraged us to regard AI as a useful tool. His quietly sensible manner and well-informed overview increased our awareness of how technological discoveries drive so many aspects of our life on the planet, including those particularly affecting women.
In May, we were graced with a talk by Dr Pelle Kempe, a local obstetrician and gynaecologist, who spoke about "Trends in Women’s Medicine." His speciality is in ultrasound and laparoscopic surgery, and with his international background, was able to highlight the benefits and concerns of the New Zealand health system for women, particularly for the need for research data to analyse surgical outcomes. His knowledge and comparative overview provoked a meaningful and sometimes alarming discussion concerning the realities for women’s health in New Zealand today.
 |
|
Back l-r: Lisa Emerson, Barbara Arnold, Janice Viles, Anne McCarthy Front l-r: Anne Gibu Joseph, Sajani Dissanayake, Zainaa Hilal |
In July, three skilled adolescents from the Palmerston North Youth Council: Zainaa Hilal, Sajani Dissanayake and Ann Gibu Joseph, presented an understanding of their roles to us. The Youth Council keep school and local youth up to date with what if going on in the Palmerston North Council and its environment, make submissions to council, and run events for youth. These speakers have since joined NCW Manawatu, increasing our under-fifties membership by 100%, and will provide a wider and very welcome perspective in discussions.
In September, Dr Ranjita Sengupta, president of the Manawatu Multicultural Council (MMC) spoke expansively on ‘Connecting with Communities’ and the roles of her council locally. The MMC has existed for 31 years, and has run 127 programmes this fiscal year, such as Festival of Cultures and World on Stage. Volunteers play a significant role in their organisation, and they collaborate in 125 partnerships with other groups. Dr Ranjita’s explanation was followed by an excellent discussion on local opportunities for scholarships, and interactions with local support groups, including Graduate Women and the Central Energy Trust, both of whom had members present. Dr Ranjita has also become a member of our local NCW Manawatu group: her wide knowledge of local networks will add considerably to NCW Manawatu resources.
This month, members of NCW Manawatu will travel to Parliament to commemorate women’s suffrage, followed by a viewing of the petition at the national library. We look forward to being educated by our activities in 2025, while expanding our membership to include local women.
By
Anne McCarthy, NCWNZ Manawatu Branch
Photographs supplied by Anne McCarthy. Reproduced here by permission.
--|-|--
“Where you are is where you are meant to be,” is the encouragement given by Mordecai to his cousin Queen Esther, wife of King Xerxes during a crisis in Persia around the year 750 BCE.
Those words seemed to epitomise the various stages in the life of Trish Lindsay ONZM, as she related them to a gathering of around fifty women, including a group of secondary students, as the NCWNZ Southland Branch celebrated 131 years of women’s suffrage. Trish said, “I’ve called my talk This Looks like Fun because that’s what I thought every time I was invited to be part of a new opportunity that looked different and interesting.”
Those gathered here for NCWNZ Southland Branch’s Suffrage Day breakfast, held on Thursday 19 September at the Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill, interacted socially and listened to this inspirational speaker.
Trish was a country girl, growing up in Aparima at the foot of the Takitimu Hills. From primary school there she went on to St Philomena’s Secondary School in Dunedin, where the teachers encouraged their students to be open to the issues in the wider community. This was followed by University of Otago, Auckland University and Auckland Teachers’ College. Trish returned south to a position at the then James Hargest High School, followed by marriage to a local farmer/stock agent and living in Waianawa.
“This is where I cut my teeth on community involvement while bringing up four children, working on the farm, doing part-time teaching and running a little music school teaching piano to local children,” said Trish. She added, “This community involvement scenario fits in well with Malcolm Gladwell’s theory about doing 10,000 hours practising for future roles.” During this time things happened that caused Trish to do two pieces of research. The first was Rural Children’s Access to Libraries. After much exploration and lobbying the outcome was the creation for the Southland District Council’s Bookbus, which still runs today.
The second was completely different for which Trish was awarded the Rural Women’s Bursary from the Alliance Freezing Works. The topic was Lamb on the Local Market because as Trish said, “I was concerned that our beautiful lamb that we had worked so hard to produce was not available in high quality lamb cuts for local sale at that time.” Trish related one moment in the course of this research when the Alliance marketing team wanted to name her “Mrs W D Lindsay” in a media release. Trish demurred saying this was not correct because they were her husband’s initials. After quite some discussion they were persuaded to allow her to retain her own initials of PEC Lindsay. A quite pertinent tale on Suffrage Day! Trish added a footnote saying, “I’m not sure if my research helped but you can buy a good selection of lamb cuts now.”
When Trish received her award from the Governor General, the citation which was read out, included a significant number of organisations and agencies with which she has been and for some still is involved. On the occasion of this Suffrage Breakfast Trish chose to highlight just four more of those credentials. During the recession in the late 1980s, like many rural women at that time she moved partially out of the sheep yards and lambing paddocks and back into more formal employment. Described by her as a lucky break, she was appointed to assist with the Department of Education Open-Tech “Challenges of Change” project for Southland women. This very successful initiative was delivered from the main base at Southland Polytechnic to 300 women at 20 teleconference centres across Southland -- in community halls, schools, homes and woolsheds -- via teleconferencing, videotapes, audiotapes and printed material. It was similar to connecting via webconferencing today but a bit clunkier from a technical perspective. The project was a stimulating, unforgettable experience hugely appreciated by women in the many remote rural areas of Southland. This experience proved to be a stepping stone for Trish to join the Southland Polytechnic staff where she has now worked for over thirty years in various roles.
Trish spoke again of the recession in the late 1980s and 1990s when farming and businesses declined with many collapsing, the Ocean Beach Freezing works closed, unemployment increased, house values fell and people started leaving Southland in droves. It was estimated that a busload of people were leaving Southland permanently every week. “But,” said Trish, “our Southland leaders didn’t lie down and give in – they came up with innovative ideas to turn our region around and I was lucky to be part of some of these.”
One was the Zero Fees Scheme (ZFS). Being involved in this was a huge highlight for Trish. It was part of the overall community strategy to rejuvenate Southland. The scheme was devised by then Chief Executive Penny Simmonds. In 1999 Penny approached Southland community leaders including the major Southland funders, for their support. Fortunately, they were all very receptive to this innovative idea. Trish’s part in the project, which she loved, was approaching the medium to large businesses to see if they were willing to support the scheme financially as well. Even though it was not a good time for them either, Trish gained immediate positive responses of support, as they said, for the good of the community. Trish reported, “In total we received the massive amount of $7.25 million from the trusts and businesses to help us get through the first 3 years of the scheme.”
Those present were reminded of the great success of ZFS, how it grew the economy and our population, with one major achievement being the opening up of career opportunities for Southlanders, especially women, who were able to complete NZQA qualifications for very little debt. Hand in hand with the ZFS was the desire of the Polytech to grow its offering of degrees available from the then number of one, being the Bachelor of Nursing. Trish was asked to spearhead this development. To do so she liaised with New Zealand and Australian universities and polytechnics, to negotiate the use of their academic material, and then gain NZQA approval for the degrees. These very obliging academics from other institutes provided the material needed. They also became colleagues, joined advisory groups, and became monitors for the subsequent degrees.
“These were heady days,” Trish enthused. “Within nine years we developed eight Bachelor's degrees and one postgraduate, setting a sound foundation for our current portfolio of undergraduate, postgraduate and Master’s qualifications which continue to be very popular with women – consistently year after year with about 57% of our students being female.” Trish continued, “At the same time another brilliant idea to rejuvenate Invercargill and Southland was being nurtured. This was the development of our iconic stadium which the Invercargill Licensing Trust (ILT) started working on in the late 1990s.Following the publication of a feasibility study which recommended a 2-court elite stadium to be located in Invercargill’s CBD, a Project Team led by the ILT was formed to work on the design and build for this facility. The Project Team had commenced work when they received a letter from a local female sports teacher expressing concern that there were no women in the group. When I received a phone call from the Chair Ray Harper to see if I would be willing to join the group, I was pretty astounded but thought it sounded like fun, and an outstanding opportunity to collaborate with others on a major project, so I accepted the invitation.” What could have been an issue was that Trish had a different perspective about the design and location of the stadium.”
Once again, her research skills, collaborative approach plus this time her experience as a Netball Mum and School Netball Manager came to the fore. She even researched our rainfall for the previous twenty years, noting the increasingly bad weather patterns causing many sports to postpone or cancel competitions especially netball. She found allies around the Project Team table for covered community courts a concept which was finally accepted by all. And of course, now we have an amazing facility which includes those community courts, event courts, seating for over 4000 people, entertainment facilities, office spaces, hospitality spaces, squash courts, climbing walls, all together under one roof. “Lesson learnt here: Locals know more than consultants, so don’t be afraid to have different opinions and stick to your convictions,” advised Trish. Trish was then appointed as a Founding Director of the new ILT Stadium Southland Board and was thrilled to be part of the team managing the brand-new stadium plus the development and build of the then only covered Velodrome in New Zealand from start to finish.
The third innovative idea, one that captured the imagination of Southlanders was the establishment of the legendary Southern Sting netball team. These are Trish’s words:
I became involved because my friend the late Robyn Broughton who was the Sting coach knew that I wrote funding applications for SIT, and asked me to write the application for a Southland team to be accepted into the new Coca Cola elite professional netball competition. When I checked out the criteria in the application, I told Rob that it may be difficult because we didn’t meet it:
- We didn’t have sufficient registered netball players
- We didn’t have a stadium that would seat 2000 people
- We didn’t even have an existing sprung wooden floor!
However, what we did have was the largest fan base in New Zealand and the generous support of the Invercargill Licensing Trust. We explained our difficulty to the ILT and after consideration- to get us started and hopefully in the franchise they approved $45k to buy a sprung wooden floor in sections from a builder in Palmerston North and have them shipped to Invercargill, painted in the Southern Sting colours and fitted into the Centennial Hall in Victoria Avenue. So I prepared an application to NNZ based on the new floor, and the promised new ILT indoor stadium and our huge fan base and Netball NZ accepted our proposal.
The Southern Team Co Board invited Trish to join them. According to Trish all they did at the time was get on steadfastly, in a solid Southland way, doing our work behind the scenes, while still enjoying the hype. And what hype it was: the crowds queuing for hours, filling the stadium with 4,500 ecstatic fans, 30,000 rolls of ticker tape at street parades, even a book written about this phenomenon, the legendary Southern Sting. And as Trish said, “You can boast about the economic benefits of the Stadium and the Sting, but it’s the intangible benefits that were massive for a region which had been depressed for over a decade. There is no way you can measure the pride, the excitement, the confidence, the national publicity, and the national promotion of our region in which our community revelled during those amazing times.”
On closing Trish commented. “I haven’t done any incredible things, but I’ve been part of Southland’s incredible community culture spending my life involved in family, farming, education and community activities. I feel privileged to have worked with so many committed, wonderful Southland volunteers on innovative projects that have brought success for our region. I know without any doubt that the saying “Southlanders get the job done!” was true then and is just as true now.”
Those listening also felt privileged to have been taken on her journey through such a variety of exciting and challenging situations, acknowledging that for her she was where she was meant to be, and it seemed it had indeed been fun.
NCWNZ Southland Branch’s new banner with member Vanya Bailey (left) and President Lynn-Marie Devery.
By
Margaret Cook, NCWNZ Southland Branch
--|-|--
The Wellington Branch of NCWNZ had a fantastic time co-presenting an encore screening of Marimari with P.A.C.I.F.I.C.A. at the end of August as well as interviewing the people behind the film for the Conversations with Wāhine podcast.
 |
| From left to right: Mele Wendt of P.A.C.I.F.I.C.A., Sophie Kelsall and Katherine Dickerson of NCWNZ, Evelyn Kunda, Director of the film, Paul Wolfram, and Eleonora Bello of NCWNZ. |
 |
|
Back row left to right: Impact Producer Hilary Cook, Editor Annie Collins, Harita Gandhi-Kashyap of NCWNZ, Evelyn Kunda, and Sophie Kelsall of NCWNZ. Front row left to right: Impact Producer Helen Anderson and Producer Shu Run Yap. |
The film follows the work of Evelyn Kunda who risks everything to save the lives of those accused of witchcraft on the island nation of Papua New Guinea.
Following three sold out Wellington screenings in the New Zealand International Film Festival, the film has continued to reach audiences through private screenings and has also recently debuted at the Hawai’i International Film Festival.
All funds raised (after costs) from the Wellington Branch and P.A.C.I.F.I.C.A. screening went towards the impact goal of raising $80,000 NZD to build a safehouse for victims of sorcery accusation-related violence in Papua New Guinea.
Keep an eye on the Conversations with Wāhine Facebook page to find out when the podcast interview will be available online and on Spotify.
You can also support Evelyn’s efforts and donate towards the building of the safehouse here: https://opencollective.com/evelynssafehouse
By
Katherine Dickerson, NCWNZ Wellington Branch
In September, the Wellington Branch of the National Council of Women New Zealand co-hosted a panel intending to put women and gender at the centre of a conversation about the economy.
 |
| Annual Women’s Debate organising team with the panel |
The economy has been top of mind for Wellingtonians due to the current fiscal situation. Families are struggling with the rising cost of living, including household costs which have increased 6.2 per cent in the last year. At the same time, the number of job cuts in the public sector sits above 6000 and continues to rise. This is expected to disproportionately affect women, as women make up the majority of the public service workforce and the public service gender pay gap was 7.1% in 2023.
The current economic climate will widen existing gaps and increase the severity and urgency of problems that people are facing. We already know that women and other gender minorities face economic disadvantages in the labour market. Now, women and children will bear the brunt of a cost-of-living crisis, described by a phenomenon dubbed the ‘feminisation of poverty’. This reality is harshened when compared with the fact that banks made a record profit of $7.21 billion in 2023.
This is not a short-term problem, and communities are feeling uncertainty around the future of work and income. The Retirement Commission has recently released data that shows the gender gap in pay will result in a gender gap in retirement. Many people are concerned about how advancements in technology may affect employment opportunities.
 |
| From left to right: Alex Davis, Jane Wrightson, Ebba Andersen, Dr Pushpa Wood, Helen Hatchard |
On the Money! Annual Women’s Debate 2024 set out to discuss how economic empowerment for women and gender minorities can contribute to a more #GenderEqualNZ. Scheduled to align with Suffrage Day, this event was organised with support from Zonta Club of Wellington and Graduate Women Wellington. This collaboration for the Annual Women’s Debate has happened each year, for a number of years.
The fantastic line-up of panel speakers consisted of:
- Jane Wrightson, Retirement Commissioner at Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission
- Ebba Andersen, Coordinator at the Wellington Women's House
- Dr Pushpa Wood, Director of the NZ Financial Education and Research at Massey University
- Alex Davies, Assistant Secretary for the State Sector at the New Zealand Public Service Association
- Helen Hatchard, Chief Executive Officer at Finzsoft Solutions Limited (MC)
Watch the recording of On the Money! on Youtube at:
By
Aleisha Amohia, NCWNZ Wellington Branch
NCWNZ Wellington Branch were honoured to host our 'Spilling the tea' high tea fundraiser for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
 |
| High tea attendees wearing pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month |
Every day in Aotearoa, nine women are diagnosed with breast cancer. That’s 3,500 women every year. And every year more than 650 New Zealanders die of breast cancer.
The National Council of Women New Zealand was founded in 1896, and continues to champion gender equity, advocate for feminist issues, and amplify the voices of women. So of course, raising awareness for breast cancer research and treatment and acknowledging the wāhine whose lives are so intimately affected by breast cancer, aligns deeply with our kaupapa.
Breast cancer is the number one cause of death in women under 65 and this number can only change through increased funding for research and education programmes, and improved patient support. The Wellington Branch members were proud to support Breast Cancer Foundation and CanSurvive dragon boat club with the funds raised from this event.
 |
| Panel from left to right: Annette, Wendy, Lisa, and Melanie |
Thank you to the gorgeous panel - Lisa, Melanie, Annette and Wendy - for sharing their breast cancer stories and being so open and vulnerable with us. A huge thank you as well to Lola Rouge for providing such a beautiful space for our event and being such accommodating hosts.
By
Aleisha Amohia, President, NCWNZ Wellington Branch
--|-|--
 |
| (l-r) Judi Goldworthy and Christine Knock |
Christine Knock, NCWNZ Life Member, approached Papatoetoe War Memorial Library to see if they were interested in the Manukau Branch of NCWNZ undertaking a presentation at the Library regarding the Auckland Women's Suffrage Memorial at Khartoum Place and Te Hā o Hine Place, in Auckland Central.
The Library staff agreed, and so this was undertaken on 17 September 2024.
The presentation was well received by about thirty women. Maybe there was a man or two there too.
After the presentation, Christine gave a noteworthy update of her experience while she was a member of the International Council of Woman.
By
Judi Goldsworthy, President, NCWNZ Manukau Branch
NCWNZ Manukau Branch held a Suffrage Day commemoration on Saturday 21 September 2024 at the historic St David’s Anglican Hall, 813 Great South Road, Wiri, Auckland.
The guest speaker was Colleen Brown, writer, speaker and author, so she covered a wide range of interesting subjects. She also brought along some of her story books for children (such as Violet's Scarf, a story of an eight-year-old girl in 1915) with the option for attendees to buy one. This offer was eagerly taken up.
Interestingly, this church was built about the same time as the suffragists were fighting for the vote. St David’s was built in 1880 with a chancel added to the rear in 1883 and further additions in 1889, 1892 and 1901 (See page 26 of the report here).
A photograph of attendees follows:
By
Judi Goldsworthy, President, NCWNZ Manukau Branch
--|-|--
Some photographs from Hamilton's Suffrage Day event at Zenders Cafe, Sunday 22 September 2024.
 |
| View of guests enjoying afternoon tea. |
Thirty people (twenty-seven women, two men and one baby) came together for afternoon tea. Sue Moroney, former MP and currently CEO Community Law, Anjum Rahman, and Maxine van Oosten, HCC Councillor, with Anjum Rahman, NZ Council of Islamic Women, all spoke to the assembled guests. Our thanks to Zenders for providing the venue free of charge.
 |
| (l-r) Suman Kapoor, Alison Watkins, Gladys Stephens - members of Hamilton Branch. |
By
Alison Watkins, President, NCWNZ Hamilton Branch
Resources to share in meetings and with your networks
CEDAW and the Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission's submissions (report, fact sheets, video of Saunoamaali’i Karanina Sumeo's address to the UN).
https://tikatangata.org.nz//news/un-told-of-action-needed-to-improve-womens-rights-in-aotearoa
Resources on what to do to help our children who encounter bullying and violence:
* Youthlaw - https://youthlaw.co.nz/rights/bullying-violence
* Community Law's Student Rights Service - https://www.wclc.org.nz/our-services/the-student-rights-service/
From 1 December 2024, after more than 20 years, the MSD-funded Family Services 211 Helpline (211 Helpline) will come to an end. Read more about this and see the resources offered in the Te Puna Aonui Pānui newsletter (October 2024), page 5.
Readings to consider
While bras shape women’s bodies, the development of bras has been shaped by world events. Read about this in:
Jessica Pearce Rotondi, "The History of the Bra: From Corsets to Spandex," History (27 Sept 2024): https://www.history.com/news/bra-inventions-timeline.
Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission has recently updated their guidelines for those seeking information about their rights as a pregnant worker. "People may be experiencing pregnancy discrimination if they have been refused a job or a promotion; demoted, dismissed or made redundant; given fewer shifts or had your hours reduced and more because they are pregnant." Share these guidelines with your community: https://tikatangata.org.nz/resources-and-support/guidelines/your-rights-as-a-pregnant-worker.
Stories to celebrate
The 1974 television series Tangata Whenua: The People of the Land was recently inscribed into the UNESCO Memory of the World register. Ngā Taonga digitally preserved the groundbreaking series in 4K resolution in 2022. The new preservation is available to watch by free subscription on TVNZ+. Read more here: https://unescomow.nz/inscription/tangata-whenua-the-people-of-the-land
The suffrage memorial statue in Mt Albert, Auckland, is restored! Women of Mt Albert had fundraised for eighteen months in 1995 to pay the artist for a suffrage memorial. "Ōwairaka, Statue of a Cloaked Woman" by Christine Hellyar who cast it on site in the Alice Wylie Reserve. Standing at 3.6 metres, the statue was made of 1200kg of bronze and patinated in blue patina on the botanical side and a black patina for the volcanic side. Hellyar told onlookers that the cloaked woman was inspired by Wairaka, an ancestor of Mount Albert. Read more about this powerful women's suffrage memorial here: https://www.ncwnz.org.nz/mt_albert_women_memorial_sculpture.
Dates to note for November-December 2024
1 Nov - Diwali is celebrated in New Zealand
6 Nov - International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict
16 Nov - International Day for Tolerance (UNESCO)
18 Nov -World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence
19-20 Nov - Te Ohaakii a Hine – National Network Ending Sexual Violence Together is hosting an in-person conference "Te Tāmata Tipu Restoring Growth & Vitality" - held in Christchurch at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre. Register here: https://toah-nnest-sv-conference-2024.lilregie.com/booking/attendees/new
25 Nov - International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls; #NoExcuse campaign is 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence, see UNITE
1 Dec - World AIDS Day
2 Dec - International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
3 Dec - International Day of Persons with Disabilities
9 Dec - International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime
10 Dec - Human Rights Day and final day of the #NoExcuse campaign for UNITE
12 Dec - International Universal Health Coverage Day
18 Dec - International Migrants Day
20 Dec - International Human Solidarity Day (which includes actions to encourage new initiatives for poverty eradication)
25-26 Dec - NZ Public Holiday for Christmas and Boxing Day
27 Dec - International Day of Epidemic Preparedness
Quotation to ponder
"We recognize the role of women as agents of peace."
UN Pact of the Future, September 2024
https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/09/1154671
Whakataukī to share
Pātua i te taniwha o te whakamā.
Don’t let shyness overcome you.
Be courageous and stand up for what you believe in. Read more about this concept of leadership behaviour for women in:
Stacey Ruru, Maree Roche, Waikaremoana Waitoki, "Māori women’s perspectives of women’s perspectives of leadership and wellbeing," Journal of Indigenous Wellbeing 2 (June 2017): 5-14.
-=-=--=-=-
The Circular is the official organ of The National Council of Women of New Zealand. Archived copies are available at the National Library of New Zealand (ISSN 2815-8644).
Do you have some news to share? Please send an email to the newsletter managing editor, Randolph Hollingsworth, at [email protected].