Information on Electoral Act 1893

The Electoral Act of 1893 stands as a pivotal moment in New Zealand's history, marking the nation as the first self-governing country in the world to grant all adult women the right to vote. This groundbreaking legislation, signed into law on September 19, 1893, by Governor Lord Glasgow, was the culmination of a vibrant and persistent suffrage movement that resonated not only within New Zealand but also on a global scale.

The late 19th century saw a burgeoning movement for women's political rights, including voting rights, in Britain, its colonies, the United States, and northern Europe. The campaign in New Zealand was significantly driven by the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU), founded locally in 1885. Under the leadership of figures like Kate Sheppard, the movement organized massive petitions to Parliament, amassing nearly 32,000 signatures by 1893, which represented almost a quarter of the adult female population at the time.

This quest for suffrage faced opposition from various quarters, including those who feared the disruption of traditional gender roles and the liquor industry, which worried about the impact of pro-temperance women voters on their business. The struggle for women's voting rights saw several legislative attempts in Parliament, with bills in 1878, 1879, and 1887 being narrowly defeated. Many politicians, such as John Hall, Robert Stout, Julius Vogel, and John Ballance, supported women's suffrage, while others, including Richard Seddon, who became premier in 1893, were hostile.

The political tide shifted in 1893 when a new Electoral Bill passed through the lower house with substantial support. Despite attempts by Premier Richard Seddon to thwart the bill in the upper house, two councilors changed their votes to embarrass the premier, allowing the bill to pass by a narrow margin of 20 to 18 votes on September 8, 1893. This act of defiance against Seddon's manipulation was a decisive factor in securing the passage of the bill.

When the governor signed the law, it marked a historic achievement. Women, including Māori women, quickly registered to vote, with 109,461 women enrolling in just six weeks, and on November 28, 1893, approximately 90,300 women cast their votes in what was described as the most orderly election held to that point. The inclusion of women in the electoral process was not only a significant step for gender equality but also a testament to the effectiveness of the suffrage movement.

New Zealand's early embrace of women's voting rights has since become an integral part of its identity as a progressive democracy. The 1993 centenary of this momentous occasion was marked by nationwide celebrations and commemorations, recognizing the long-lasting impact of the Electoral Act of 1893. However, despite this historic achievement, it wasn't until 1919 that women earned the right to run for Parliament, and the first female MP, Elizabeth McCombs of the Labour Party, was not elected until 1933.

It is interesting to note that in 1893, the same year as the Electoral Act, the law in New Zealand was broadened to outlaw any sexual activity between men, with severe penalties including life imprisonment, hard labour, and flogging. This underlines the varied trajectories of social justice and human rights in New Zealand at the time.

Further information can be found at:

• teara.govt.nz
• wikipedia.org
• nzherald.co.nz