In 1892-93, at the same time the European women's suffrage
movement was reaching a climax, large sections
of the Maori community had established their own parliament. In May 1893
Meri Te Tai Mangakahia presented to this parliament a motion to
enable women to vote for and sit in it. She based her claim, which was
well received, on the experience of Maori women in owning and
managing their own land. When it was asked in the House of Representatives
whether voting rights should be extended to Maori women, there was a roar
of unanimous approval.
This material has been produced by UNITEC Institute of Technology
under contract to the Ministry of Education.
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