Helen Clark

Helen Clark 1950-, New Zealand politician, prime minister (1999-2008), b. Hamilton, N.Z. A graduate of the Univ. of Auckland (B.A., 1971; M.A., 1974), she taught political science there (1973-81). In 1981 she was elected to parliament as a member of the Labor party. Clark held various cabinet posts (1987-90) and served deputy prime minister (1989-90). Named party leader in 1993, she led the party to victory in 1999 and became prime minister of a coalition government; Labor retained power in 2002 and 2005. In office, Clark increased government spending, boosted the economy, nationalized lands claimed by Maoris, championed a national antinuclear policy, and refused to join the U.S.-led war against Iraq. Following Labor's 2008 loss to the National party, she resigned as party leader.

Clark, Helen (b. 26 Feb. 1950). Prime Minister of New Zealand, 1999–  Born in Hamilton into a wealthy farming family, she studied political science and graduated from the University of Auckland with a PhD. In 1973 she became a lecturer at the University of Auckland, and in 1981 she became the first woman member of the Labour Party to be elected to Parliament, as an MP for Mt Albert. She rose quickly within the parliamentary party, and became Minister for Conservation and Minister of Housing (1987–9). In 1989 she served briefly as deputy Prime Minister until Labour's defeat in the 1990 elections. She replaced Mike Moore as Labour leader from 1993, and from then on worked hard to overcome a dry, intellectual image. Clark presided over a disastrous election defeat in 1996, but the party recovered in the 1999 elections. In addition to being Prime Minister, she also held the portfolio for Arts, Culture, and Heritage. Her coalition government with the Alliance party was two seats short of a parliamentary majority, so that she was reliant on the support of the Green Party. She called early elections in 2002, but despite a strong showing by Labour she was unable to secure the absolute majority she had bargained for.