Women in public life and politics in New Zealand

Abstract

In a television programme on 4th November, 1966, "The New Zealand Woman," it was stated that, "Women's influence, particularly women's organisations' influence, has been below the surface." It has not been vocally obvious; but changes in society have occurred that are the result primarily of their efforts. Jury service for women, equal pay for women, - have meant that women, in legislation at least, are equal with men - they have the same rights and responsibilities. Today, such magazines as Eve are boldly asking, "Are women second-class citizens?" The fact that they are asking such questions is significant - women can be seen and heard in New Zealand today. They still, however, hold very few important positions. Since 1893 when women's franchise was granted there have been only eleven women members of Parliament; the right to be elected to Parliament was not granted until 1919. It was not until 1933 that Mrs. McCombs was elected to Parliament. The position of women in society is dependent to a large extent on the image that society has of the role of women, within that society. Naturally, part of the role is that of wife and mother, but can a woman's role be more than this? Since the emancipation of women, the opportunities for education, and the scope of employment available, have widened considerably. As wage-earners women have economic power in their own right, but they still have to use that power to their own advantage. If their image is such that they feel guilty of wielding that power outside the immediate environment of the family unit, their power within the body politic will be limited.