Petition to Retain Auckland Suffrage Memorial ‘in perpetuity’

A petition asking the Auckland City Council to keep the Suffrage Memorial ‘in perpetuity’ in Khartoum Place has been launched by the National Council of Women of New Zealand (NCWNZ).

More than sixty people attended the launch on Monday night at the Suffrage Memorial site in Khartoum Place including four Members of Parliament: Hon. Maryan Street, Dr. Jackie Blue, Carol Beaumont and Keith Locke and representatives of many Auckland women's groups. Auckland civic leaders in attendance included Auckland Regional Council Chairman Mike Lee and regional councillors Cr Sandra Coney and Cr Dianne Glenn and Auckland City Councillors Cr Dr Cathy Casey, Cr Glenda Fryer and Cr Richard Northey.

Margaret Wilson of Auckland Branch of NCWNZ, spoke of her frustration at having to battle to retain the memorial in Khartoum Place ‘yet again.’

“After several months of being sent from one committee to another without this issue being resolved, NCW believes it is time for the City Council to make a binding commitment to protect the memorial so that we are not forced to repeat this charade every few years,” Margaret said.

“Although the CBD Board has recently advised the NCW that at this time it has no immediate plans to progress plans for the redesign of Khartoum Place, a cloud of uncertainty is still hanging over it. We need a guarantee that it will be permanently retained in Khartoum Place,” Margaret said.

Dr Frances Townsend, NCW board member read a letter of support on behalf of NCWNZ National President Elizabeth Bang.

The National Council of Women intends to distribute the Suffrage Memorial Petition to all its member organisations and networks. The signatures will be presented to the September meeting of the Auckland City Council’s Arts, Culture and Recreation Committee asking the council to recommit to retaining the Suffrage Memorial in Khartoum Place ‘in perpetuity’.

ENDS

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