The Kate Sheppard Women’s Fund
The Power and Strength of Women.
In 1893 Kate Sheppard and her peers gathered the signatures of nearly 32,000 New Zealand women to demonstrate the groundswell of support for their cause to give women the vote.
A 270-m-long petition, then the largest ever presented to Parliament – was unrolled across the chamber of the House with dramatic effect. The Electoral Act 1893 was passed by both houses of Parliament and became law on 19 September. The news took New Zealand by storm and inspired suffrage movements all over the world. Today women and girls in greater Christchurch continue to be a powerful force for change.
To play our part in ensuring this proud legacy of changemakers continues, we’ve created the Kate Sheppard Women’s Fund.
Significant numbers of women and girls work hard at the grassroots level. Often, like those from our past, the impact of these community leaders is amplified when supported by others. Our fund was established to provide these leaders with support by investing in their potential to grow their impact and make our city and the surrounding Dsitricts better, for everyone.
Micro grants are given to the recipients and a stunning video sharing the story of their work is developed. This is then announced at our annual high tea run in September each year.
Anyone can contribute by attending events, buying our t's and tote bags or through a gift.
Port Hills Fire Regeneration
In response to the 2024 Port Hills fire this fund has been established to assist with the regeneration of endemic natives in the impacted area.
There is scientific evidence that natives are more fire resistant and can significantly contribute to the resilience and protection of at-risk ecosystems and communities.
The funds raised will be actively managed by The Christchurch Foundation and distributed with support of the Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust and Te Kākahu Kahukura. These two reputable entities are already working in the impacted area and have extensive experience in the establishment of native plants in a best practice manner with participating landowners (private/public and charitable).
Funding could be applied not only to securing new plants but could also include pest management, weeding and other activities to support the regeneration of the area safely.
The intent is to help increase the fire protection on the port hills as well as also increasing the biodiversity of the area.
Maurice & I
Maurice & I is a feature-length documentary celebrating Sir Miles Warren and Maurice Mahoney’s influential architectural partnership, and their fight to save the magnificent Christchurch Town Hall from demolition after the devastating 2011 earthquake.
We are supporting the crowd source campaign to raise the final $60,000 required to take this story to the world.
Sponsorship opportunities are also available: Please contact Rick Harvie rick@belmont.co.nz for information about these.
