Khartoum Place facts for kids
Khartoum Place is a special city square in the centre of Auckland, New Zealand. It's a place just for walking, with big trees and a stairway connecting two streets, Lorne Street and Kitchener Street.
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The Women's Suffrage Memorial
In 1993, New Zealand celebrated 100 years since women gained the right to vote. To mark this important event, a beautiful memorial was built in Khartoum Place. It's made of 2000 painted tiles and includes a waterfall. This memorial celebrates the women who worked hard for women's voting rights in Auckland and all of New Zealand.
Honoring Important Women
The memorial shows several amazing women who were leaders in the fight for women's suffrage. These brave women helped make sure women could vote. They include:
- Amey Daldy
- Anne Ward
- Lizzie Frost
- Matilda Allsopp
- Elisabeth Yates
- Annie Jane Schnackenberg
- Fanny Brown
- Ida Wells
Upgrades and a New Name
Over the years, Khartoum Place has been improved. In 2006 and 2007, the lower part of the square was upgraded. Later, in 2011, more improvements were planned for the upper part.
The Auckland Art Gallery is right next to Khartoum Place on Kitchener Street.
Protecting History: The Memorial Debate
In 2010, some people who supported the Art Gallery wanted the Women's Suffrage Memorial to be moved. They thought it blocked the view of the gallery from Lorne Street. There had been a similar attempt to move the memorial in 2006.
A writer named Brian Rudman spoke out against moving the memorial in a newspaper called The New Zealand Herald. He felt that the memorial was an important part of the square and its history. He said that some people saw the wide stairway as a way to "suck up pedestrians" and lead them into the art gallery.
In 2011, the Auckland City Council made an important decision. They voted to protect the Women's Suffrage Memorial in Khartoum Place forever. This means it will always stay there.
A New Name for a Special Place
In July 2016, the lower part of Khartoum Place was given a new name: Te Hā o Hine Suffrage Place. This name comes from a Māori proverb, 'Me aro koe ki te hā o Hine ahu one'. This proverb means 'pay heed to the dignity of women'. It's a beautiful way to honor the history of women's rights in New Zealand.
