September 2025

Kia ora members and friends,

As spring blossoms, September invites us to reflect on the legacy of women’s leadership and the opportunities ahead.

🌿 Celebrating Women’s Suffrage in Aotearoa
In 1893, New Zealand became the first country in the world to grant women the right to vote. This historic milestone was driven by the efforts of suffragists like Kate Sheppard, whose advocacy laid the foundation for women’s participation in civic life. Their legacy continues in every woman who steps forward to lead and serve her community.

The white camellia holds deep symbolic significance in the women’s suffrage movement, particularly in New Zealand, where it became an emblem of support for women's right to vote.  During the campaign for women's suffrage, supporters of the movement—especially men—would wear white camellia flowers to show their backing for the cause. The white camellia came to represent purity, justice, and the peaceful nature of the suffrage campaign. It was a non-confrontational but powerful way to signal solidarity.  In 1893, Kate Sheppard and other campaigners presented a petition with over 32,000 signatures to Parliament—an unprecedented act of civic engagement at the time. That same year, New Zealand became the first self-governing country in the world to grant women the right to vote. The white camellia has since become a national symbol of this achievement.

🗳️ September Dinner Meeting – an Informal Meet the (Women) Candidates
Date: Monday 15th September
Venue: SomeDay Café
Time: 5:45pm arrival for a 6:00pm start
Cost: $40 per person
RSVP: By Friday 12th September
Dietary Requirements: Please include with your RSVP
This month’s dinner meeting is a special opportunity to meet women candidates running in the Te Hawera Ward for both the Community Board, and Council. Join us in an informal setting to hear their perspectives, ask questions, and support women stepping into leadership roles.

🗳️ Voting in the Local Body Elections
Local elections run from 9 September to 11 October 2025.  Voting papers will be delivered by mail between 9–22 September.  If you’re enrolled by 1 August, you’ll receive your papers automatically. If you enrolled after that date, you’ll need to request a special vote from your local council.
Voting is by postal ballot, so make sure to return your papers early. The final day to post your vote is 7 October; after that, you’ll need to drop it off at a council ballot box
For more information or to check your enrolment, visit vote.nz.

🎓 Women’s Scholarship – Applications Close 25th September
Encourage the women in your life to apply for our annual BPW Hawera Women’s Scholarship. It’s open to those based in South Taranaki pursuing further education or training. Applications close 25th September. The application form is available on our BPW Hāwera website, the link is here and further details can be found on our Facebook page. Let’s help spread the word and empower more women in our community!

📣 AGM in October – Fresh Ideas Welcome!
Our Annual General Meeting is coming up next month. We invite members to consider joining the committee. Whether you’re new or long-standing, your ideas and energy are welcome. Let’s keep our club vibrant and forward-thinking.  We are still needing someone to step up into the Club President role.  A great development opportunity for those wanting to gain confidence in a leadership role, or those that would like to give back to our little club.
Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm. Together, we honour the past and shape the future.

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