With local elections fast approaching this October 2025, what is being done to achieve a #GenderEqualNZ within our political systems?

In the 2022 local government elections, only 38% of candidates were women. Despite this being an increase from previous years, significant structural and cultural barriers persist for women seeking to enter and remain in politics.

From issues around childcare to gender-based violence to stereotypes in the media, women experience hostility at all levels of the political sphere. Several women in local government across the country spoke with Breakfast in April, sharing the hateful comments they’ve received online, with abuse and violent threats often spilling into the real world.

So how do we encourage more women into political leadership, and what needs to be done to keep them there?

The Wellington Branch of National Council of Women New Zealand, in collaboration with Graduate Women Wellington and Zonta Club of Wellington, are hosting The Annual Women’s Debate 2025 to discuss this question.

The event will be hosted by award-winning journalist and broadcaster for RNZ, Susie Ferguson. She'll be joined by a stellar line-up of women:

Susan Freeman-Greene, Chief Executive of Local Government New Zealand
Tory Whanau, Mayor of Wellington City
Afnan Al-Rubayee, senior public servant and community leader
Rebecca Matthews, Wellington City Councillor

This year’s Annual Women’s Debate will focus on the experiences of women from across the political spectrum and the gendered obstacles they have faced in politics. Furthermore, the debate will explore what is being done to address barriers to women’s political leadership, and how women representatives can empower a #GenderEqualNZ.