This thesis investigates why so few women have been elected to Parliament in New Zealand. It is commonly assumed that women face obstacles in entering politics. These include situational constraints, sex-role socialization and discrimination from men who believe that a woman's place is in the home. These obstacles not only deter women from putting themselves forward but also operate when women are pitted against men in political party candidate selection procedures. This study measures the influence of these obstacles in New Zealand politics by studying voter perceptions of women candidates. The perceptions are examined using data collected from survey research carried out in the Lyttelton electorate prior to the 1975 and 1978 General Elections. The responses were coded to reveal voter perceptions of the National and Labour Party candidates in the 1975 and 1978 elections: Mr Tom McGuigan and Miss Colleen Dewe in 1975, and Miss Dewe and Mrs Ann Hercus in 1978. Using a theory of group behaviour a classification system was developed to categorise the voter responses. The findings reveal that although some differences do exist in the manner in which voters perceive women candidates the comparisons more than often favour women.Differences between male and female voter perceptions are found to be negligible and the traditional belief, that women lack the strength and aggression to be in politics, is dismissed. In conclusion the thesis argues that women cadidates are not perceived by voters as being inferior in any way, and could be an asset if given the chance.