Women in New Zealand won the right to vote in parliamentary elections on 19 September 1893, when the new Electoral Act was signed into law.

Quick Scoop

  • Key date: 19 September 1893 – the Electoral Act 1893 received the governor’s assent, giving all women in New Zealand aged 21 and over the right to vote in national elections.
  • World first: New Zealand became the first self‑governing country in the world to grant women the parliamentary vote.
  • First time they voted: Women cast their votes for the first time in the general election on 28 November 1893 (with Māori electorates voting on 20 December 1893).

A bit of story

The change did not happen overnight; it followed decades of campaigning by suffragists such as Kate Sheppard and many others who organised large petitions and lobbied Parliament. The campaign overcame strong opposition from conservative interests, including parts of the liquor industry, before finally succeeding with the passing and signing of the Electoral Act 1893.

TL;DR: Women got the vote in NZ on 19 September 1893, and New Zealand is widely recognised as the first self‑governing country to grant women the national franchise.

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