A feminist movement led by a student at Whangarei Girls' High School sprung up last year and has initiated the re-naming of a school house.
Juliet Esveld, 16, came across a passage about Richard Seddon, Prime Minister from 1893 to 1906, in a novel she was studying for level two English, suggesting he didn't support equality for women.
Juliet has always been proud of her house - Seddon - and aspired to be house captain once she was in year 13. Learning about Mr Seddon's anti-feminist position disappointed her, she said, and made her think hard about whether this was the right house name for Whangarei Girls' High School.
Juliet talked it over with friend and fellow house captain Geneva Hamilton and decided to write a letter to principal Anne Cooper in April last year, suggesting the school rename the gold house to Sheppard, for suffragette Kate Sheppard.
"It was just an idea, I didn't think it would go anywhere. I did hope though," Juliet said.