Tears shed for trailblazers
Hundreds of women, men and children dressed in period costume waved placards in a mass reenactment march in Katikati on Saturday, to commemorate the 125th anniversary of women’s suffrage in New Zealand.
Descendants of Annie Schnackenberg, who was vice president of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, led the march from the Uretara Domain to the Katikati Memorial Hall, where there was standing room only. MP Tamati Coffey led the afternoon programme of entertainment, which included guest of honour, former Prime Minister Helen Clark.
A special play written by Katikati actor Diane Logan titled A Women’s Place, was performed to the delight of the crowd, which included Clark’s father, 96-year-old George Clark and Helen’s sister.
Many on the march said it gave them a sense of what it must have been like for the women of that time — some shed a tear. Jenny Coleman from Massey University in Palmerston North said the march was a moving experience.
“It was absolutely fabulous. The march, the whole town, it was so much fun.”
Coleman was a guest of the Friends of the Western Bay Museum the day before the march, who spoke about the inspiring, lesser known individuals who argued for the legal recognition of women’s equality with men.
“My great-great-great-great grandmother Maryanne Lockington voted in Katikati in November 1893,” said a sticker worn by 3-year-old Addy Overton who was in Saturday’s re-enactment march with her great grandmother, Kathy Wills.
The pair were among hundreds who celebrated Suffrage 125 in true Katikati style, where a small community made something huge happen. The marchers waving placards, some saying “Equality for all”, “Honour our nations women — give them a voice”, were led by the Schnackenberg family — Mary, Tom and John and families — from the Uretara Domain arriving at Memorial Square to be greeted by dignitaries and the public.
Inside the hall it was standing room only where former Prime Minister Helen Clark made a brief visit to speak.
“Well done everyone who dressed up today — the Victoriana dress looks spectacular,” Ms Clark said.
This is one of many events across NZ celebrating this remarkable anniversary, she said.
“We like to be the first in NZ at things, don’t we?
“Being first in the world in 1893 with woman gaining the vote, is pretty incredible where an all-male parliament agreed to the ladies petition. It was extraordinary and we were 25 years ahead of the British.
“We all stand on the shoulders of those incredible women who had the courage to campaign. Some of the things the men said were horrible, but these woman were not daunted. Ours was a peaceful campaign.”
Then in 1919, women got the right to stand for parliament — “I think we should celebrate that one next year too.”
She spoke of many women who were elected and who held high positions within companies and organisations. Also legislation that had been passed to support women. She said “it is entirely possible to see gender parity by 2030”.
Ms Clark’s father, George, and her sister were seated in the front row with MPs Scott Simpson, Jan Tinetti and Angie Warren Clark, with Tamati Coffey MC of the event.
A short play, A Woman’s Place, performed by writer Di Logan, (Ada Wells), Fiona Gudsell (Kate Sheppard) and Julie Thomas (Annie Schnackenberg), was a snapshot of that era for women. It captured the essence of females’ struggles 125 plus years ago, said Terelle Carroll, from the Katikati Suffrage 125 committee.
“Many commented on the unknown historical facts they learned from the production, the collective audible gasp from the audience, at discovering that the age of consent was just 12 years of age, will be indelibly etched on my mind.”
Coromandel MP Scott Simpson said, “From the theatre we saw something of the intensity of the debate that must have been going on, in fact before 125 years . . . as this was a debate going on around the world. And of the intensity of the argument and braveness of Kate Sheppard and her fellow suffragettes and the 30,000 plus women who signed the petition.
He said he is reminded of the work of Kate Sheppard in parliament.
“Some of the select committee rooms are themed and one is dedicated to women parliamentarians and Womens Suffrage in NZ. When it was originally set up there were individual photographs of women MPs, but they’ve stopped doing it because the walls aren’t big enough to accommodate all the photographs. This speaks volumes of how far we’ve come.
“Today we have the highest representation of women in parliament which is getting close to 40 percent.”
Nga Kohine o Katikati Kareti (the young women of Katikati College) performed, with Year 13 student Jazmine Mitchell-Rakete presenting a moving and powerful speech on Maori women of those times.
Don Wallis’ band Murphy’s Law reunited for the event playing some old time favourites that had the crowd singing.
Committee member Nicky Austin said one thing she liked about the march was there were lots of different groups.
“There was a great representation of women today, even some children. I took mine, aged 6 and 7 they absolutely loved it.”
Fernley Nielsen, also on the committee said it was a truly wonderful community happy event.
“Only a town with heart and enthusiasm and lots of respect and caring could have made such a ‘magic day’.
“All ages, all cultures, all walks of life, all interests, and all interesting!”
Paula Gaelic said it was a massive day enjoyed by hundreds.
“I would like to personally thank the many special people who helped, for without them it would never have been.”