Janet Fraser and friends: Wellington socialist women who helped build the Labour Party

The Team from Alexander Turnbull Library

Free Suffrage 125 event.
A century before Jacinda Ardern became Prime Minister an earlier generation of left-wing women helped pave the way for those who followed. One was Janet Fraser, whose husband Peter eventually became Prime Minister. Janet and her Wellington friends fought for social, political and economic justice, and played a significant role in the development of the Labour Party. They made policy as well as tea.


Wednesday 5 December 2018. 12.10pm - 1.00pm. Programme Rooms, Te Ahumairangi (ground floor), National Library, corner Molesworth and Aitken Streets, Thorndon



In our final event marking Suffrage 125 Dr Hilary Stace looks back at some of the influential women who fought for social, political and economic justice in New Zealand. A century before Jacinda Ardern became Prime Minister an earlier generation of left-wing feminists paved the way for those who followed. They were the first generation to vote, although for many their first vote came after immigration to New Zealand. They helped found the Labour Party, lobbied for the right to stand for Parliament (finally won in 1919), fought for social justice, stood for election to boards and committees and ran community and voluntary groups. All while supporting their men including during wartime imprisonment, and eventually into the First Labour Government. These women were involved in all aspects of the Labour movement although political power at the highest levels was largely denied them. Janet Fraser, wife of Prime Minister Peter Fraser, was one example. An early member of the Wellington Hospital Board, she was one of the first women JPs, encouraged Peter’s interest in the arts, was influential in bringing the Polish refugees to New Zealand and hosted a visit by her friend Eleanor Roosevelt. She was also

Peter’s Parliamentary gatekeeper and partner in decision-making. This presentation will look at Janet Fraser and some of her Wellington socialist friends.

Speaker biography: Past careers working at the Turnbull Library and the Dictionary of NZ Biography provided opportunities for Hilary Stace to pursue her interests in feminist history and politics. She is also a researcher on disability issues and her PhD was on autism and public policy.

Image: Janet Fraser, ca. 1933. Crown Studios Collection. ATL PAColl-6304-61.

Headline from the NZ Truth article 10 July 1930, p.22