Who's On New Zealand's 10 Banknote?

Perhaps the most well-known maxim of all time is ‘money makes the world go round’. Yet, seldom do we take the time to notice the many individuals and creatures who appear on our respective currencies. While the US tend to favour the portraits of previous presidents, one small country in the South Pacific – bustling with sheep and… well, sheep – tends to favour the likeness of extraordinary Kiwis. Certainly, the kiwi bird features on New Zealand currency, but so do outstanding everyday average joes that have significantly contributed to the nation. Some New Zealand bank-notes include a world-record breaker, a scientist, a prominent Māori leader and, of course, the British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. Yet arguably the most culturally pioneering of the lot is Kate Sheppard, who appears on New Zealand’s $10 bank-note.
Born on 10 March 1847 as Catherine Wilson Malcolm in Liverpool, England, Kate was born to Scottish parents Jemima Crawford Souter and Andrew Wilson Malcolm. Imbued with the Scottish Braveheart and seemingly destined for greatness, Sheppard immigrated to Christchurch, New Zealand, in 1869 after her father’s untimely death. Three years later, she married Walter Allen Sheppard and had their only child, Douglas, on 8 December 1880.

The New Zealand Womens Suffrage Movement

Five years later, however, was to be a turning point in the life of Sheppard as she became involved in the establishment of the New Zealand Women’s Christian Temperance Union. This was only a ripple in what was to be an overwhelming tidal wave of cultural revolt. Thereafter, Sheppard would go on to champion the women’s suffrage movement in New Zealand. An intelligent, persuasive and well-regarded public speaker, Sheppard well and truly championed the movement, seeing it through from a grassroots movement to a national cause that would eventually reach parliament. In a famous speech, Sheppard once said, ‘all that separates, whether of race, class, creed, or sex, is inhuman and must be overcome’.

With that, Sheppard helped introduce the first suffrage bill in 1887. Later, she published a pamphlet, Ten Reasons Why the Women of New Zealand Should Vote, which would provide the ideological ammunition to power a petition in favour of women’s suffrage into Parliament in 1891. A second petition was presented one year after, and in that same year, the women’s suffrage bill passed successfully, granting women full voting rights. Not only was this a first in New Zealand, but it was also the first in the world. A true cultural icon, Kate Sheppard was paramount in shifting ideological thought and ensuring that New Zealand was the first country in the world to grant women the right to vote.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.