Inspiring women to create their new horizons through education and research

Mā pango, mā whero, ka oti te mahi

By black and by red the work is done

Tēnā Tatou

By the time you receive this newsletter most award panels will have completed their recommendations for 2023, this is a busy time for Trustees and our operations team who put an enormous amount of effort behind the scenes.

We have had an unprecedented number of applications this year (over 700 across all awards). On behalf of the Board, I extend our thanks to Awards Officers and panel members who volunteered their time to coordinate and assess applications, and also Award sponsors who provide the funds to support the education pathways of women.

On September 19^th we celebrated 130 years of Women’s Suffrage in Aotearoa, New Zealand and acknowledged the legacy of women who fought for our right to vote. As the general election in October approaches, I thought it would be interesting to reflect on some NZ Parliament firsts:

1893: Women gain the right to vote in New Zealand

1919: Women can stand for Parliament – Rosetta Baune, Aileen Cooke and Ellen Melville were the first women to do so

1933: Elizabeth McCombs is the first woman MP

1947: Mabel Howard is the first woman Cabinet Minister

1949: Iriaka Rātana is the first Wāhine Māori MP

1972: Whetū Tirikatene-Sullivan is the first Wāhine Māori Cabinet Minister

1984: Fran Wilde is the first woman party Whip

1996: Pansy Wong is the first Asian MP

1999: Georgina Beyer is the first transgender MP and Winnie Laban is the first Pasifika woman MP

1997: Jenny Shipley is the first woman Prime Minister

2005: Margaret Wilson is the first woman Speaker of the House

2022: Women have the majority of seats (61) in New Zealand Parliament for the first time

- Gail Campbell, Chair for New Horizons for Women: Hine Kahukura

Subscribe to New Horizons For Women: Hine Kahukura

Awardee Profile: Refugee Study Award

Our 2022 recipient of the Refugee Study Award*, sponsored by Graduate Women Manawatu Charitable Trust, is working towards obtaining her Bachelor of Social Work degree. She is currently in her third year of study and will complete her degree at the end of 2024. She is a full-time student and a solo mother to 5 children.

She believes awards like this are needed for women who belongs to minorities like herself because these women have abilities and enthusiasm to study but, due to financial limitation, they are unable to pursue their further education. One of her favourite quotes is by Nelson Mandela: “give me an educated mother I will give you an educated nation”.

Her course has enhanced her ability and skills to know more about social issues that affect vulnerable people, and to understanding the history of Aotearoa New Zealand. She has maintained A plus marks and is looking forward to completing this degree with the highest grades.

* Please note that the identity of the recipient remains anonymous for privacy reasons

"This award not only helps with the cost of study but also encourages my children to work hard – to do their best in their studies. Since I am a role model for my children who admire me for my commitment towards my study – self-determination and hard work. "

Awardee for the Refugee Study Award

sponsored by Graduate Women Manawatu Charitable Trust ,

2022

In Memory - Catherine (Cath) Sheilds

It is with much sadness that we acknowledge the sudden death of Cath. She was a loyal friend, advocate and supporter of NHWT:HK. Cath was the daughter of the late, Dame Margaret Shields, who was at the forefront of the establishment of the Society for Research on Women. Following the death of her mother in 2013, Cath and her father Pat established the Margaret Shields Research Award, which is offered bi-annually.

Catherine Shields at an award ceremony with Nimeesha Odedra, Margaret Shields Research Award recipient 2019

Many past and present trustees will have met Cath at one of our award ceremonies. I know that she cherished the opportunity to present the award in memory of her mother and the contribution it is making to the lives of women and girls in Aotearoa.

Cath was an amazing cook and quilter and an lover of cricket. Her many friends will miss her dearly.

Nga mihi nui Cath

Okioki i runga i te rangamarie