125 years of National Council of Women NZ to be celebrated by Hawke's Bay branch

National Council of Women NZ Hawke's Bay branch committee member Elisabeth Crawley and president Sue Chappell prepare for the celebration in May. Photo / Paul Taylor

One hundred and 25 years of the "enthusiastic" National Council of Women New Zealand started by suffragettes will be celebrated by the Hawke's Bay branch early next month.

The National Council of Women New Zealand (NCWNZ) is an umbrella organisation with more than 200 organisations as well as individual members.

Hawke's Bay branch chairwoman Sue Chappell said the council began in 1896 after the successful women's suffrage campaign.

Kate Sheppard was the founding president and held the position for three years.

She and other prominent suffragettes wanted to ensure the best use of the vote they'd just won for women.

"They needed to continue to build understanding and drive action to improve the lives of women."

Napier and Hastings branches were started a bit later in the 1920s, but the council had a presence here earlier, having held a conference in Napier in 1902.

In the 1940s Napier and Hastings merged to become the Hawke's Bay branch.

Locally, there are individual members and groups including Business and Professional Women, Zonta and Heretaunga Women's Centre.

These days the organisation focuses on gender equality in New Zealand and is the leading organisation of Gender Equal NZ.

"By building understanding and driving action for gender equality, we enable New Zealanders to have the freedom and opportunity to determine their own future."

Members contribute to discussion and make submissions on policies that impact the opportunities and welfare of women.

Often based on legislation going through Parliament which is discussed at a branch level, then fed to the national convener for the topic before writing up a final submission that is sent to Parliament.

Locally, the branch has also made a submission to Napier City Council on the future of the Memorial Square Community Rooms in Napier, which is one of the few memorial buildings built following World War I dedicated to women, Chappell said.

The Hawke's Bay branch holds an annual dinner with guest speakers and also holds a Suffrage Day breakfast where a panel of women speak on a set topic.

Each year they also give a $250 grant to a secondary school in Hawke's Bay to buy books for their library. Although they leave the choice of books up to the individual school, they do ask them to include titles which reflect women's achievements and issues.

Hawke's Bay member Sue Read said the group is full of "enthusiastic" women who have been "unforgettable" in her life.

"I have been inspired by Kate Sheppard and the women I have seen are huge role models for me.

"The women who I've befriended [through the National Council of Women] are quite unforgettable and exceedingly proactive in the community."

The NCWNZ Hawke's Bay branch's celebration of 125 years of the council will be held on May 6 at the Havelock North Function Centre and former Napier mayor Barbara Arnott will be speaking.

For tickets contact Sue on 06 844 5951.