'We fought for the right to vote, use it': NZ marks 124 years of women's suffrage

Suffragist Kate Sheppard, who was also the first president of the National Council of Women in New Zealand. Photo / File

Voters are being urged to use a right that once had to be fought for.

Today marks 124 years of women's suffrage in New Zealand, coming only four days before the election.

National Council of Women Auckland branch president Carol Beaumont said remembering the fight for women to vote was as important now as it ever was.

"At every suffrage event, we'll be reminding people that we fought hard to get the right to vote, and it's very important that we use it.

"I tell people, when you're casting your vote think about the policies that will best deliver on gender equality.

"But also, I think we've all got a responsibility to make sure that everybody has their say, and that people are not disenfranchised.

"Suffrage Day is a very real opportunity to remind people that we struggled to win the vote, and we have to use that voice that we have.

"We have a responsibility to do so, and a responsibility to make sure that the people in our families and in our communities also have their voice."

Beaumont said New Zealanders were right to be proud of being the first country to give women the vote.

But she said there was also a sense from some people that the work was now done.

"If you look at any real measure like women's economic independence, issues of safety and violence, then you see there's still a long way to go."

Minister for Women Paula Bennett agreed there was still a need for change.

She cited the top two issues for women as being the pay gap, and that women were disproportionately the victims of domestic violence.

Bennett said Suffrage Day coming so close to the election was a reminder of how women's involvement in politics had changed.

"In particular this election, which is a close race and has got a lot of people talking about politics.

"I watch women's participation, and the way that they vote, and times have really changed.

"It used to be that many women used to vote the same as their husband, or wouldn't tell their husband because their vote was private and they didn't want to be influenced.

"You can see quite a different society now and I think that's really exciting and important."

Bennett said she wasn't attending any suffrage events, but would make sure to spend time with her daughter.

Suffrage Day comes only four days before the election, and within the advance voting period.

Advance voting for the 2017 election so far outstrips advance voting at the same point in the previous two elections.

A graph comparing the number of advance votes for the 2011, 2014, and 2017 elections. Photo / Electoral Commission.

As of Sunday, September 17, 445,350 New Zealanders have already cast their ballots.

That compares with 225,513 at the same time in the 2014 election, and 90,861 ballots at the same time in the 2011 election period.