Celebrating women in local government

For the first time in the Nelson Tasman region (and most likely nationally), thirty former and current Councillors gathered recently to share their experience in local government and celebrate their contribution to the community.

The event, hosted by Nelson Mayor, Rachel Reese and Tasman Mayor, Richard Kempthorne, was inspired by the 125th anniversary of women’s suffrage in New Zealand.  

Mayor Rachel Reese says “I’m proud that the Nelson Tasman region has led the charge on bringing this group of women together for the first time and has documented women’s experience in local government. 

“For me, being Mayor is the greatest of privileges and I am humbly grateful to our community for trusting me to hold this role for the time I have their grace”. 

With the passing of the Electoral Act 1893 women became eligible to vote and be elected as councillors and mayors.  It was not until 51 years later that the first woman councillor was elected in our region. 

This honour went to Laura Ingram who was elected to the Motueka Borough Council in 1944.  Over the next 25 years only a further five women were elected in the region. 

It wasn’t until the 1970s that women began to be elected in any sizeable numbers.  In spite of the efforts of many, in 2018 only 21% of Tasman’s and 23% of Nelson City’s elected councillors and mayors are women.

“I feel great pride that New Zealand led the way for women to vote. I am very humbled by the support given to me first in 2013 and again in 2015 granting me a place at our Council table.  While the percentage of women serving on Council is only 23% of the elected member total, I would like to encourage other women to stand for election next year to provide a closer reflection of our community, along with other ethnicities,” says Gaile Noonan, Councillor and Chair of the Community Services Committee.

A booklet titled ‘Women Decision-Makers Nelson and Tasman’ documenting the experiences of 52 women on local government from 1944 to 2018 was also celebrated at the event.  This booklet is available from the Nelson City Council Customer Service Centre or Elma Turner Library.

Suffrage Day has become an important date on the New Zealand Calendar.  It presents opportunities to generate conversations about our future and the importance of civic engagement and participation.  As well as, recognising and celebrating game-changing individuals who do extraordinary things to create positive social change for women and New Zealand.  

Nelson City Councillor Kate Fulton says “Celebrating the women’s suffrage movement provides an opportunity to acknowledge the hard work and milestones achieved by other woman in the past.  It also provides an opportunity to reflect on the current inequalities - often subtle in nature, which we are still confronted with as women working in local government everyday.  Continuing to hold a strong presence as women, we slowly erode the patriarchy and its style of politics which has dominated our democracy.”