WOMEN'S ORGANISATIONS

Te Ao Hou, June 1959, Page 23

WOMEN'S ORGANISATIONS Maori women's organisations attached to the churches have had a long history in the city. But the most important Maori women's organisation at the present time is the Maori Women's Welfare League. The forte of the League in Auckland is welfare and it is closely allied to the tribal committee organisation. Like tribal committees it is theoretically a territorial rather than a kinship organisation. But by virtue of the fact that the Ngapuhi and Ngatiwhatua women out-number the others, the leadership of the League tends to come from those tribes. On the whole the Maori Women's Welfare League seem to be less bothered by outside in-

fluences, such as tribal or church affiliations. One of the reasons for this is that the interests are strictly in the field of women's concerns. The leadership is strong, and the emancipation of Maori women, something novel, is taking up the full attention of all. Maori women are in control of their own affairs. The Auckland league is part of the national organisation. Social functions like ceremonials, welcome to visitors and catering for meetings, all require the assistance of women folk, not only the kuia class, but also the younger women. Thus from their local branches they move forward into the district council and in that capacity they each serve or perform the rituals at the Maori Community Centre. An example of the energy and vitality in the League leadership may be mentioned in connection with the housing survey of the city which the League carried out. This was the first of its kind in the history of New Zealand to be conducted by women, Maori or European. “K” is a widow and is one of the recognised kuia in Auckland. Her age, her wisdom, her possession of Maori skills, her hospitality and generosity and interest in Maori welfare and appreciation of Maori values are among her qualifications for leadership. She is held in high respect by all who know her, of whatever tribe. She is chairman of one of the branches of the league in the city area. There are here a combination of both the