Are We There Yet? – Women and Equality in Aotearoa Featuring Lucy

Auckland Museum to shine light on gender equality

Auckland Museum to shine light on gender equality in enriching new exhibition
Are We There Yet? – Women and Equality in Aotearoa

For immediate release
Friday 15 June 2018

New Zealand has come a long way in the 125 years since women won the vote. But are we there yet?

In the year of #metoo, what does "feminism" really mean? How did we get here, and where are we heading now?

Are We There Yet? – Women and Equality in Aotearoa is a contemporary exhibition taking place at Auckland Museum from July 6, 2018. While celebrating the historic anniversary of suffrage in Aotearoa, Are We There Yet? – Women and Equality in Aotearoa also looks at the successes and speed-bumps of gender equality in New Zealand. This enriching exhibition aims to reach out to all New Zealanders through thought-provoking information around equal pay, legal rights, body image and more.

The exhibition highlights the Kiwi women you have heard of, and many you haven’t: from Kate Sheppard, Meri Te Tai Mangakahia to Elizabeth Yates, Are We There Yet? – Women and Equality in Aotearoa draws on untold stories and features New Zealand women in the arts, business, politics, sports, science, and other sectors who have contributed to advancing equality for women.

The contemporary exhibition features historic objects as well as self-reflexive interactive elements, championing heroes of the past while acknowledging and at times challenging our own inherited knowledge and history.

"The exhibition celebrates how far we have come as a society in regards to gender equality, and also looks to the future. We can always do better", says Head of Exhibitions Victoria Travers.

"A museum is a place of learning and growth, and it’s sometimes as important to interrogate as it is to celebrate - even when it comes to the Museum’s own images, data and community knowledge", says Travers.

Photographs of trailblazers, ground-breaking marches, and posters and publications from the Museum’s collection will be on display, including photography by Gil Hanly and Robin Morrison.

"We are proud to deliver Are We There Yet? – Women and Equality in Aotearoa, a signficant exhibition that aligns with our current priorities; stretching thinking through visitor experiences and involvement, and reaching out to new audiences both in Auckland and around the country," says Auckland Museum CEO, Dr David Gaimster.

"Are We There Yet? – Women and Equality in Aotearoa is an engaging inter-generational experience that will inspire informed conversation, debate, and action."

Watch a short-film created especially for Are We There Yet? – Women and Equality in Aotearoa directed by renowned New Zealand filmmaker Gaylene Preston, starring actors Lucy Lawless, Miranda Harcourt, Chelsea Preston-Crayford and Jean Sergent as powerful, contemporary women interpreting the words of those who campaigned for the right to vote more than a century ago. The film will be available to watch at the Auckland Museum as part of the exhibition.

Visitors to Are We There Yet? – Women and Equality in Aotearoa are invited to contribute to the exhibition, making it a genuine site for sharing of knowledge and community advancement. The conversation will continue online, and within the accompanying event programme.

An incredible lineup of events will support the exhibition, with details to be announced soon.

Do you think we’re there yet?

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FRI 6 JULY - 31 OCT
SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS HALL, FREE WITH MUSEUM ENTRY

Are We There Yet? celebrates the 125th anniversary of women’s suffrage in Aotearoa - but how far has New Zealand really come since women gained the vote?

This contemporary exhibition uses the historic anniversary as a springboard to examine the successes and speed-bumps of gender equality so far, and where to next. Equal pay, reproductive rights, gendered violence, online trolling, legal rights and body image are all up for discussion and interrogation.

Photographs of trailblazers, ground-breaking marches, and posters and publications from the Museum’s collection will be on display, including rarely-shown photography by Gil Hanly, Emily Lear and Robin Morrison. A short-film directed by renowned filmmaker Gaylene Preston has been created especially for Are We There Yet?

Share your experiences and thoughts in this participatory exhibition.

Image: Women's rights and human rights, 21 January 2017. Photographed by Emily Lear.