Kia ora koutou John,

I thought I’d take the opportunity to let you know of some awesome news, and something that we all, as a Labour whānau, can be proud of.

Yesterday, another glass ceiling was smashed as we reached 50% women representation around the Cabinet table, for the first time ever! We welcomed Willow-Jean Prime into Cabinet, and Rachel Brooking will become a Minister Outside of Cabinet. Both Willow and Rachel are incredibly competent and caring people who have so much to contribute to our movement.

Labour has always been one to smash glass ceilings; from our first female Speaker of the House Margaret Wilson, New Zealand’s first wāhine Māori Cabinet Minister Whetū Tirikātene-Sullivan, first elected female Prime Minister Helen Clark and Jacinda Ardern, the first Prime Minister to have a baby in office.

There’s more to do, but I believe that it’s always important that we take the time to reflect on the progress we’ve made under a Labour Government. It’s also a chance to recommit ourselves to the ongoing pursuit of embracing equity and opening up doors for women.

Often it is the Cabinet or boardroom table that is spoken about as being the epitome of where women could sit. But the classroom desk, nurses station, kitchen table are all tables that matter equally – and that’s why the real lifts and improvements we’ve delivered for women under our watch, are and will continue to be important in opening up more doors for women to take a seat at the table.

There are many women who’ve occupied seats at a variety of tables and as the minority in the room. But they’ve helped make it a possibility for others, like myself, to step up and into this space.

With your support, we can continue to achieve and deliver greater representation, meaningful outcomes and a better Aotearoa New Zealand. A country that reflects our communities, diverse needs and aspirations.

As Jacinda Ardern said in her valedictory speech; “You can be a mother, or not, an ex-Mormon, or not, a nerd, a crier, a hugger – you can be all of these things, and not only can you be here – you can lead.”

Ngā mihi,

Carmel Sepuloni