August 2016
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WOMEN RESHAPING POLITICS As Kiwis we look at the possibility of Helen Clark becoming the first female Secretary General of the UN, and Hillary Clinton, the first female President of the US. What’s all the fuss about, we wonder? We all know Helen would be exceptionally competent in the role, so why are some other countries so fascinated? Perhaps it’s because NZ had such a big head start. The Auckland mayoralty race is heating up with Phil Goff and Vic Crone the leading contenders. Recently though, I was surprised to learn that Elizabeth Yates became the first “lady”
mayor in the British Empire – in Onehunga 1873. It was the day after the general election – the first time that women had been able to vote in New Zealand. Mrs Yates got congratulated by Queen Victoria and Richard Seddon. It was ironic because Seddon had resorted to dirty tricks to try and block the enfranchisement of women. King Dick’s manoeuvres backfired and two councillors in the Upper House changed sides and voted for the Bill. Then even legislative councillors petitioning the Governor General could not stop it being signed into law.
Winter Art Exhibition • p5 Motu Moana “Mystery” Solved • p8 Pokémon Go (Away) • p11
Elizabeth Yates’ time in office provided plenty of material for the papers. Her husband had retired from the mayoralty due to ill health, so name recognition would have helped her to win with a 13 vote majority from 227 votes cast. On taking office, by virtue of being mayor she also became a J.P. – another first for women. Some of the men were not amused. The town clerk and four councillors immediately resigned. Others opposed every initiative that she proposed. During her term, spectators crowded into the council chamber to see what would happen next. The next election Yates was defeated by 90 votes. It would be 63 years before another woman became mayor in any town in New Zealand. Continued pg 2
With thanks to our contributors: GEOFF, JANNE, LANCE, JAI, JOHN, JONATHAN, KERRIE