The Right Honourable Helen Elizabeth Clark, ONZ

Ms Clark was the longest serving leader of the New Zealand Labour Party and became Prime Minister of New Zealand for three consecutive terms from 1999 to 2008.

She was the first female Prime Minister to win office at an election and the fifth longest serving Prime Minister of New Zealand. She was the second woman elected to represent an Auckland electorate when she became Member of Parliament for Mt Albert in 1981, a position she held for 28 years.

Ms Clark was a member of the New Zealand Labour Party for many years and held positions at every level of the party. She served as a member of the Party’s New Zealand Executive for ten years. She was President of the Labour Youth Council, an executive member of the party’s Auckland Regional Council, a member of the Policy Council, and secretary of the Labour Women’s Council.

She was Minister of Housing, Conservation and Health in the Fourth Labour Government and served as Deputy Prime Minister between August 1989 and November 1990. She was Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the Opposition spokesperson for Health and Labour in 1992, and became Leader of the Opposition in 1993.

During her time as Prime Minister, she was active in policy development across economic, social, environment, cultural and international portfolios. As well as being Prime Minister, she was Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, and Minister in Charge of the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service.