On Saturday, 7 May 2022, the Manukau Branch of National Council of Women of New Zealand (NCWNZ) held an event at the Auckland Botanic Gardens in Manurewa to celebrate the 125th anniversary of NCWNZ and also to acknowledge and celebrate the suffragists. A special area had been created there in 1993 to mark the centenary of women's suffrage by the NCW - a plaque marks the spot.

Manukau Branch Celebrates 125th Anniversary of NCWNZ. In attendance: Arena Williams, MP for Manurewa; Anne Candy, Member of Manurewa Local Board; Annette Paterson, President WCTUNZ (holding banner); Pauline Bennett, President, Tauranga Branch NCWNZ; and, Alison Watson, President, Tauranga Branch NCWNZ with her mother.

The Manukau Branch members were so pleased and appreciative that Pauline Bennett, President of Tauranga Branch NCWNZ, attended along with another Tauranga Branch member. In addition, Alison Watkins, President of the Hamilton Branch NCWNZ, brought her mother with her to join in for this event.

Guests for the event were met by Astrid Herring, a Manukau Branch member, dressed in clothes of that era. She gave guests directions on how to get to the "Suffragette Memorial." Then Annette Paterson, National President of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union of New Zealand, presented on the origins of the suffrage movement.

Afterward, everyone walked down to Friendship House where Arena Williams, MP for Manurewa, was the guest speaker. Arena Williams spoke about the challenges women and girls faced. This was followed by a light lunch.  

Tickets were available for four senior girls from six secondary schools in South Auckland, and they contributed to making this a very successful event.

To read more articles from The Circular (issue 635) click on the tag below.