Feminism in New Zealand

Feminism in New Zealand is a series of actions and a philosophy to advance rights for women in New Zealand. This can be seen to have taken place through parliament and legislation, and also by actions and role modelling by significant women and groups of people throughout New Zealand's history. The women's suffrage movement in New Zealand succeeded in 1893 when New Zealand became the first nation where all women were granted the right to vote. New Zealand was also the first country in the world in which the five highest offices of power were held by women, which occurred between March 2005 and August 2006, with Queen Elizabeth II, Governor-General Silvia Cartwright, Prime Minister Helen Clark, Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives Margaret Wilson and Chief Justice Sian Elias. From October 2022 to October 2023, New Zealand achieved gender-equal representation in Parliament for the first time.

In 1840 Māori women were part of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi that created New Zealand as part of the British Empire under Queen Victoria. Wāhine Māori were at the forefront of the women's suffragist movement, including campaigning for their right to vote and to stand as members of Te Kotahitanga.11 years after universal male suffrage was granted, universal female suffrage was achieved on 19 September 1893. Iriaka Rātana became the first wāhine Māori MP in 1949.

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