Prof Barbara Brookes. Photo by Christine O'Connor : Our women's history

Fanny Weller was the daughter of Maori woman Paparu and English whaler Edward Weller. Born at Otakou, on Otago Peninsula, in the mid-1830s, Fanny was about 13 years old when this watercolour portrait was painted by Ralph E. Erskine. Image from Hocken... : Our women's history

Female and male roles in marriage were among the contemporary, and sometimes contentious, issues discussed in the young woman’s magazine thursday. This is the cover of the March 16, 1970, edition. Photo from Alexander Turnbull Library : Our women's history

Dorothy Bogle and Margaret Vincent take a smoko break while working in George Northcroft’s cowshed in 1923. Prof Brookes says farm work of various kinds, such as milking cows, tending crops and assisting with shearing, occupied many women, Maori and... : Our women's history

A man debates with two pro-choice demonstrators during the International Women’s Day march in Wellington in 1978. Photo from ALexander Turnbull Library. : Our women's history

Shot put gold medallist Valerie Adams in action during the 2012 London Olympics. New Zealand women have long had good role models in sporting high achievers, Prof Brookes says. Photo by NZ Herald : Our women's history