The NCWNZ Hutt Valley Branch mourns the passing of Myra Harpham (8 May 1931 – 15 August 2025).

Myra joined the Hutt Valley Branch in the mid 1970s as the representative for the then Federation of University Women Hutt Valley, later becoming an Associate. Myra was awarded a Distinguished Service Award 2012.

The Wellington Speaking Union organises the Senior Premier A Grade, the top debating grade within the Intercollegiate debating competition. The winning school receives the John F Henning Cup, donated in 1961 by the then United States Ambassador to New Zealand. The best speaker in the Grand Final is presented with the Suffrage Cup, donated by the Hutt Valley branch of the National Council of Women of New Zealand.

This year the students debated the following moot: This House believes that social and political movement should utilise religious rhetoric in forwarding their cause (eg using religious texts, seeking support from religious leaders, etc.). This year’s finalists were Wellington College (affirming) and Scots College (negating).

Scots College debate team

The Whanganui branch of National Council of Women of New Zealand held their annual Wynne Costley Research Essay Scholarship evening recently. Year 10 students from Nga Tawa were welcomed this year, joining students from Whanganui High and Whanganui Collegiate, the two schools which have regularly supported the scholarship since its inception.

Interacting with younger persons evokes feelings of amazement at their enterprise, wonder at their ability to absorb new ideas and pride in their achievements while working in challenging situations. NCWNZ Southland Branch has four activities which allow members to revel in these feelings while celebrating the value these young people bring to members’ lives.

Southland Social Science Fair

In the first instance the branch sponsors two prizes in the Southland Social Science Fair. It is open to students from year 5 to year 13, to create exhibits about a wide range of themes. From amongst this year’s 300+ presentations NCW judges had to find ones that featured women’s issues. 

This year’s winner was Yr 9 Tatum Wessel whose topic was Women in NZ Police. The presentation and research involved was outstanding. Tatum was the guest speaker at the Branch’s July meeting.

Southland Branch celebrated Suffrage Day in two parts this year.

The first was our traditional breakfast on 19 September at the Ascot Park Hotel where more than fifty persons mixed, mingled and chatted. They included students from local secondary schools who always respond very positively to the occasion. This year we especially welcomed Josh, Josh and Tom from Southland Boy’s High School, a first for that school. When asked, they said they enjoyed the breakfast, and the speakers and, yes, they would appreciate an invitation again next year. So that will happen.

Our guest speaker was Hannah Pascoe, a local blind athlete, who was accompanied by her cousin Kara Roderique-Wandless and friend and mentor Andrew Morton. The presentation format was Andrew interviewing Hannah and Kara, a process that worked very well. As the introduction said, ”We have a special guest today, Hannah Pascoe. Hannah will share her story of reality, courage, resilience, and success. Hannah is accompanied today by her cousin Kara and friend Andrew who will help with her story telling.”

Manukau Branch of NCW hosted a "Meet the Candidates" afternoon on Saturday 13th of September for women standing in the local government election representing the Manukau region.

We had 20 women candidates attend to speak with us about their reasons for wanting to be elected. It was a successful afternoon which saw all women interacting and supporting each other regardless of their political stripes.

In the last few months, NCW Manawatu has continued the pattern of bimonthly speakers.

In May, Fatima Junaid, a branch member, spoke about "Mechanisms to support migrant women entrepreneurs' wellbeing.’" Fatima outlined the need for confidence and resilience to combat aspects from misnaming to company access to jobs which fulfil diversity requirements with little desire to recognise culture or value systems. Women entrepreneurs survive through key support groups, creating their own networks and creating emotional boundaries against naysayers. Fatima concluded with the reminder that acceptance of ethnic and cultural diversity, creates the synergy for a more harmonious society.

On the 18th of September, four NCW Manawatu members joined with their counterparts at Mint café in central Whanganui, for the beginnings of a tour around local suffrage sites.

The next stop was the museum, where there is a permanent display of three early suffragists: Margaret Bullock, Jessie Williamson, and Ellen Balance. These three were key to advocacy efforts in the region, and they collected signatures for the 1893 petition. Along from this display, members enjoyed the sight of costumes through the past, finishing with Costume of the Month. The museum visit concluded with a viewing of a photographic exhibition of churches in the district. 

At 7 am on a fresh Dunedin winter’s morning, 100 young women from the local secondary schools gathered at The Edgar Centre, Dunedin’s premier sporting area, to listen to six inspiring young women who have followed diverse paths to achieve real success in their fields.

The aim of this breakfast is to show students that, even though you face apparently insurmountable obstacles, there is often an unexpected pathway to success.

NCW Southland recently has been privileged to hear speakers from two local agencies.

At the Annual General Meeting in May, Donagh Booth from Age Concern spoke of her role in Elder Abuse Response. Her work in Invercargill has been an eye opener for her. She did not realise the spread of elder abuse within her home town. Examples she gave listed sons who have never left home, sons with issues who returned home, mothers who have become isolated because friends and other family members would not visit while the son was present.

Behaviour of such sons included not assisting with the household chores like mowing lawns or cleaning out spouting; expecting his laundry to be done, his meals to be cooked, not contributing to the household costs. Donagh’s role, when she becomes aware of such issues is to be a listening ear, offering suggestions of mitigating actions. Sometimes such help was not acted upon but in extreme cases, trespassing the son has been initiated.

Media scams are also a growing concern. And not confined to women. Single elderly are targeted by predatory persons, introducing a friendly element then possibly a romantic one leading to the real intention, asking for money. And thousands of dollars have been and are being scammed in this way. Police are not involved because the perpetrator threatens the victim with blackmail.