Helen Clark
Helen Clark is a prominent New Zealand politician and international leader, known for her groundbreaking role as the first woman to serve as Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1999 to 2008, and later as the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) from 2009 to 2017. Born on February 26, 1950, in Hamilton, New Zealand, she pursued higher education at the University of Auckland, where she developed a passion for political activism, particularly against war and apartheid. Clark's political career began in the Labour Party, where she was first elected to Parliament in 1981, and she quickly became a key figure in various governmental roles, advocating for nuclear disarmament and health reforms.
As Prime Minister, she implemented significant social and economic policies, including the introduction of paid parental leave and the recognition of same-sex civil unions. Her leadership style focused on consensus-building and inclusivity, exemplified by the diverse composition of her cabinet. After leaving office, Clark continued her commitment to global issues, prioritizing poverty eradication and gender equality at the UNDP. In her later work, she has engaged in pandemic preparedness efforts, reflecting her ongoing influence in international policy discussions. Throughout her career, she has been recognized for her contributions, including being appointed to the Order of New Zealand in 2010.
Helen Clark
- Born: February 26, 1950
Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme and former prime minister
Place of birth: Hamilton, New Zealand
Education: University of Auckland
Significance: The Right Honourable Helen Clark ONZ served nine years as prime minister of New Zealand before becoming the first woman to head the United Nations Development Programme in 2009.
Background
Helen Clark was born on 26 February 1950 in Hamilton, New Zealand. One of four daughters of Margaret Helen Clark, a former teacher, and George Clark, a sheep farmer, she grew up in Te Pahu, in rural Waikato. Clark attended Te Pahu Primary School and Epsom Girls Grammar School. She then enrolled in the political studies program at the University of Auckland, earning a bachelor's degree in 1971 and a master's degree in 1974.
While at university, Clark became interested in world events and campaigned against the Vietnam War and apartheid in South Africa. Despite her parents' strong support for the New Zealand National Party, she joined the New Zealand Labour Party in 1971. From 1973 to 1975 she was president of the Labour Youth Council and a member of the Auckland Labour Regional Council.
While working on her master's degree, Clark became a junior lecturer of political studies at the University of Auckland (1973–75). She then studied abroad as a postgraduate scholar in 1976 and returned to the University of Auckland the following year, where she worked as a lecturer of political studies until 1981.
Political Career
Clark made her first bid for a seat in Parliament in 1975 when she stood for Piako in Waikato but was unsuccessful. After becoming a Labour Party executive in 1978, she made her second attempt and was elected to Parliament in 1981 for the Mount Albert electorate in Auckland. As a member of parliament (MP), she served on several committees, including the Foreign Affairs Committee (1982–84), Electoral Law Committee (1984–85), Disarmament and Arms Control Committee (1984–85) and the Government Administration Committee (1985–87). She chaired the Foreign Affairs Committee from 1984 to 1985 and the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee from 1985 to 1987.
A staunch advocate of nuclear disarmament, Clark played an active role in the adoption of nuclear-free policies during Prime Minister David Lange's government. In recognition of her promotion of peace and disarmament, the Danish Peace Foundation awarded her its Peace Prize in 1986. Lange added Clark to his cabinet during his second term (1987–89), and she held the minister portfolios of conservation, housing and health. As health minister, she promoted anti-tobacco legislation, including smoke-free workplaces and bans on tobacco advertisements and sports sponsorships.
Following Lange's resignation in August 1989, Clark became New Zealand's first woman deputy prime minister and was assigned the labour portfolio in Prime Minister Geoffrey Palmer's cabinet. After Labour lost the 1990 election, she served as the deputy of the Opposition. In 1993, she successfully contested Mike Moore for the party leadership and became the leader of the Opposition, a position she held until 1999.
After Labour won the 1999 election Clark formed a coalition government, first with the Alliance Party and later with the Progressive Party. Taking office on 10 December 1999, Clark was the first woman to be elected prime minister. She also took on the portfolio for arts, culture and heritage.
One of Clark's first acts as prime minister was to create a diverse cabinet, appointing eleven women and four Māoris. Her government made significant social, economic and cultural reforms while also changing its foreign policy and international relations. It legally recognised same-sex civil unions, decriminalised prostitution, initiated paid paternal leave and child tax credits, raised the minimum wage several times, abolished interest on student loans and promoted Māori rights. Clark retained New Zealand's anti-nuclear zone—which had effectively ended the ANZUS pact with the United States—and promoted peacekeeping and nuclear disarmament worldwide. She sent combat troops to fight in the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 but refused to send combat troops to join the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 as the United Nations had not mandated the operation. Other achievements include signing the Kyoto Protocol in 2002 and a free-trade agreement with China in 2008.
After Labour lost the 2008 election, Clark resigned as the leader of the party. She was succeeded by John Key as prime minister. In early 2009, she was the first woman appointed as the administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and moved to New York. Responsible for directing and coordinating training and support activities in more than 160 developing countries, Clark made the eradication of poverty and creating a more equal and inclusive world her priorities. In 2016, Clark unsuccessfully ran for secretary-general of the United Nations. She remained administrator of the UNDP until 2017.
In 2020, Clark was named co-chair of a World Health Organization (WHO) panel analyzing the organization’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response (IPPR) was the discover how the 2020 pandemic unfolded and find way to prevent future pandemics. In 2023, Clark criticized the panel for failing to come up with a consensus answer, saying the world would be unprepared if another pandemic hit.
Impact
Helen Clark helped to mend fractures within the Labour Party and bring the right and left factions of the party together during her nine years as prime minister. Known for her leadership and consensus building, she garnered the support necessary for her government to be effective and make significant reforms. Unwilling to let low poll numbers or opposition from others discourage her, she pursued her goals—such as a seat for New Zealand on the UN Security Council—with conviction and determination. As an administrator of the UNDP, she sought to empower women and bring more women into leadership positions than the days when she was the sole woman at UNDP's international meetings.
In 2010, Queen Elizabeth II appointed Clark to the Order of New Zealand in recognition of her services to New Zealand. The highest honour of New Zealand, it is limited to twenty living members.
Personal Life
Clark married sociologist and university professor Peter Davis in 1981.
Bibliography
Edwards, Brian. Helen: Portrait of a Prime Minister. Exisle, 2001.
Lederer, Edith M. "Former New Zealand Prime Minister and Pandemic Prep Leader Says We’re Unprepared for the Next One." Associated Press, 25 Sept. 2023, apnews.com/article/united-nations-pandemic-covid19-044903ffcb4d49a50e9a1f887e338707. Accessed 18 June 2024.
McKenzie, Sheena, and Felicia Taylor. "Helen Clark: From New Zealand Prime Minister to United Nations Heavyweight." CNN, 2 Oct. 2013, www.cnn.com/2013/10/01/world/helen-clark-from-new-zealand-prime-minister. Accessed 18 June 2024.
"Rt Hon Helen Clark." New Zealand Parliament, New Zealand Government, 18 Apr. 2009, www.parliament.nz/en/mps-and-electorates/former-mps/document/49PlibFormerMPsHelenClark1/clark-rt-hon-helen. Accessed 18 June 2024.
Trevett, Claire. "Ex-PM to Take Old Lesson to Big Stage." New Zealand Herald, 5 Apr. 2016, m.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c‗id=1&objectid=11616821. Accessed 18 June 2024.
Trevett, Claire. "Helen Clark—A League of Her Own." New Zealand Herald, 8 Apr. 2016, www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c‗id=1&objectid=11619254. Accessed 18 June 2024.