Story: Women’s labour organisations

Women in the labour force, 1896–2018

This graph shows the steady movement of women into paid work between 1896 and the 2010s, when they were nearly half of the labour force. Over time the groups counted shift, and the trend is shown rather than a consistent dataset. Māori were not included until 1951; from 1945, those employed for less than 20 hours per week were not included; and from 1986 to 1996, those employed for less than 30 hours per week were not included. As women were more likely than men to work part-time, the number employed was understated. The 2001–2018 data includes all women in paid employment.

Using this item

Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

Source: New Zealand official yearbook, 2000; Statistics New Zealand

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How to cite this page:

Megan Cook, 'Women’s labour organisations - Equal pay, mid-20th century', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/graph/26375/women-in-the-labour-force-1896-2018 (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Megan Cook, published 5 May 2011, reviewed & revised 20 Dec 2022