Story: Hawke’s Bay places

Rissington Women’s Institute banner

Rissington Women’s Institute banner

Hawke’s Bay teacher and orchardist Bessie Spencer founded the first New Zealand branch of the Women’s Institute at Rissington in 1921. The aim of this organisation was to give women the chance to participate in activities outside the home – something especially welcome to women living in the isolated, rural parts of Hawke’s Bay. In 2018 there were 245 local institutes throughout New Zealand.

Using this item

New Zealand Federation of Women's Institutes

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page:

Kerryn Pollock, 'Hawke’s Bay places - Inland of Hastings and Napier', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/24276/rissington-womens-institute-banner (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Kerryn Pollock, updated 30 Nov 2015