Women's Suffrage

The 125th anniversary of Women's Suffrage in New Zealand was commemorated by a selection of events in 2018. At Lincoln University a display in the historic Ivey Hall highlighted the significance of the event and acknowledged the past staff and students who supported the petition.​​

On 19 September 1893 the Women's Suffrage Petition was passed by parliament granting all New Zealand women the right to vote in parliamentary elections. At least one of the staff of the School of Agriculture at Lincoln is known to have signed the Women's Suffrage Petition, Mrs Mary Ta​bo​r, who lived at Lincoln and was the Dairy Supervisor on campus from 1889 until her retirement in 1908.​

After the passing of this Electoral Bill, suffragists presented a white camellia to those members of the House of Representatives who had voted in the bill's favour. Those who had voted against it received a red camellia.

In November 1993, Lady Ruth Burns, widow of former Lincoln College Principal Sir Malcolm Burns, purchased one of these 'Kate Sheppard' camellias and planted it at Lincoln University in the rose garden area of campus to commemorate the 100th anniversary.  A commemorative plaque marks the events of 1993.  Then, in 1997, a white camellia hedge was developed between the Burns and Hilgendorf Building and was dedicated to a history of women's suffrage. Unfortunately, the Canterbury Earthquakes of 2010-2011 ultimately led to its removal.