Bronze statue of founder to celebrate WI centenary

A bronze statue of WI’s founder has been unveiled as a permanent reminder and tribute to the New Zealand Federation of Women’s Institutes in their centenary year.

The 100-year celebrations began earlier this year in Napier, the birthplace of founder Anna Jerome Spencer, and celebrations will continue throughout 2021.

The NZFWI celebrated its 100th Annual General Meeting at Te Papa in Wellington on June14-15 and more than 300 women from all over New Zealand gathered to celebrate the milestone.

The WI has been offering friendship and support to women and the wider community of New Zealand since 1921.

Miss Spencer returned home to Napier after being impressed by the WI in London, and set up the first meeting at Omatua in Rissington, rural Hawke’s Bay.

Through friendship, fun and some healthy competitions, WIs have been enriching many lives with their activities, fundraising and donation of goods and funds to local organisations and charities.

New members are always welcomed and WI encourages any groups of women interested to open their own group and join the organisation.

A highlight of the meeting was the launch of the book Portrait of Change Volume 2, covering the last 24 years of NZFWI and marking the end of a century of the WI as it heads into the next.

Nine members of the Central Hawkes Bay Women’s Institute were at the meeting, catching up with fellow members from around New Zealand over the two days.

Some of the CHB members participated in the competitions. There were 280 entries altogether, with CHB members winning three placings. A junior member placed second for a painted stone, Hazel Knight placed second in the decorated egg competition and Rosemary Young was first for a travel cup bag.

Members “dressed down the decades”, from 1921-2021, at the Operatunity evening to conclude the AGM.