Suffrage 125: Katikati marches to mark suffrage anniversary

Young marchers with placards from left Ariana Bluegum, Nadi Smith, Anahera Simpkins, Summer Ahomiro. Photo / Chris Steel

Hundreds of women, men and children dressed in period costume waving placards in a mass re-enactment 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.

Former Prime Minister Helen Clark with her father George and sister at the Katikati Suffrage events. Photo / Chris Steel

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 her sister.

MPs Jan Tinetti and Coromandel MP Scott Simpson enjoying the entertainment at the Katikati Suffrage events on Saturday. Photo / Chris Steel

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.