New Zealand has hit a gender equality milestone, with women making up the majority of its parliament for the first time.
It comes as Soraya Peke-Mason was sworn into parliament on Tuesday, replacing former Speaker, Trevor Mallard.
Peke-Mason’s swearing in means there are now 60 women in New Zealand’s parliament, compared to 59 men.
The milestone means New Zealand has joined just a handful of other countries to have at least 50 per cent women in their parliaments. Other nations to have achieved the milestone include Cuba, Mexico, Nicaragua, Rwanda and the United Arab Emirates.
According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, about 26 per cent of lawmakers are women globally.
New Zealand has long been a leader in gender equality, being the first country to grant women the right to vote, back in 1893. Women were given the right to stand for election in New Zealand in 1919. The first woman was elected to the country’s parliament in 1933.
Who is Soraya Peke-Mason?
Peke-Mason is now the newest member of the governing Labour party, led by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
“Whilst it’s a special day for me, I think it’s historic for Aotearoa New Zealand,” Peke-Mason told reporters on Tuesday, the day she was sworn into parliament.
Before entering parliament, Peke-Mason spent 18 years on the Rangitīkei District Council including 12 years as a councillor, and six years on the community board. She has a business background in industries including construction, tourism, and forestry.