29 November

Education Act passed into law

1877 Education Act passed into law

The Education Act 1877 established free, compulsory and secular education for all Pākehā New Zealand children. Māori children could attend these schools if their parents wanted them to. Read more...
First woman mayor in British Empire elected

1893 First woman mayor in British Empire elected

By becoming mayor of Onehunga, Auckland, Elizabeth Yates struck another blow for women’s rights in local-body polls held the day after the first general election in which women could vote. Read more...
First female Māori MP elected

1949 First female Māori MP elected

Iriaka Rātana was elected as New Zealand’s first female Māori MP.  Read more...