Ann Hercus
Encyclopedia
Dame Margaret Ann Sayers Hercus DCMG
, BA, LLB (born 24 February 1942), best known as Ann Hercus, is a New Zealand
politician and diplomat. She earned a Bachelor of Arts
degree in English Literature from the University of Auckland
and a law degree from the University of Kent at Canterbury
.
Born in 1942 to Horace and Mary (née Ryan) Sayers, Hercus was the Member of Parliament for Lyttelton
from 1978
to 1987, and the Minister of Social Welfare, Police and Women's Affairs from 1984 to 1987, the first woman to hold the Police portfolio.
From 1988 to 1990, she was Ambassador and Permanent Representative of New Zealand to the United Nations
. In 1998, she was appointed Deputy Special Representative and Chief of Mission of the United Nations operation in Cyprus. She resigned for family reasons in 1999.
In 2005, information on salary rates of senior TVNZ
staff was leaked, Hercus was named as the source. She resigned in protest from the board of TVNZ over the pay rates; she resigned from the board a second time a year later, hours after former CEO Ian Fraser
reported on board dysfunction to a parliamentary select committee.
Hercus is the spokesperson for 'Save our Arts Centre' (SOAC), an organisation opposing the development of a School of Music for the University of Canterbury
at the Christchurch Arts Centre
.
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
, BA, LLB (born 24 February 1942), best known as Ann Hercus, is a New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
politician and diplomat. She earned a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree in English Literature from the University of Auckland
University of Auckland
The University of Auckland is a university located in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the largest university in the country and the highest ranked in the 2011 QS World University Rankings, having been ranked worldwide...
and a law degree from the University of Kent at Canterbury
University of Kent
The University of Kent, previously the University of Kent at Canterbury, is a public research university based in Kent, United Kingdom...
.
Born in 1942 to Horace and Mary (née Ryan) Sayers, Hercus was the Member of Parliament for Lyttelton
Lyttelton (New Zealand electorate)
Lyttelton is a former New Zealand Parliamentary electorate. It existed from 1853–90, and again from 1893–1996, when it was replaced by the Banks Peninsula electorate.-Population Centres:...
from 1978
New Zealand general election, 1978
The 1978 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to elect the 39th New Zealand Parliament. It saw the governing National Party, led by Robert Muldoon, retain office, although the opposition Labour Party managed to win the largest share of the vote...
to 1987, and the Minister of Social Welfare, Police and Women's Affairs from 1984 to 1987, the first woman to hold the Police portfolio.
From 1988 to 1990, she was Ambassador and Permanent Representative of New Zealand to the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
. In 1998, she was appointed Deputy Special Representative and Chief of Mission of the United Nations operation in Cyprus. She resigned for family reasons in 1999.
In 2005, information on salary rates of senior TVNZ
Television New Zealand
Television New Zealand, more commonly referred to, and stylized as TVNZ, is a government-owned corporation television network broadcasting in New Zealand and parts of the Pacific. It operates TV1, TV2, TVNZ7, TVNZ Heartland, TVNZ U and new media services....
staff was leaked, Hercus was named as the source. She resigned in protest from the board of TVNZ over the pay rates; she resigned from the board a second time a year later, hours after former CEO Ian Fraser
Ian Fraser (broadcaster)
Ian Fraser OBE is a New Zealander who was the Chief Executive Officer of Television New Zealand from 2002 until 2005. During his time in this office, TVNZ made a transition from a wholly commercial broadcaster to a public company operating under a charter.He resigned on 30 October 2005 following a...
reported on board dysfunction to a parliamentary select committee.
Hercus is the spokesperson for 'Save our Arts Centre' (SOAC), an organisation opposing the development of a School of Music for the University of Canterbury
University of Canterbury
The University of Canterbury , New Zealand's second-oldest university, operates its main campus in the suburb of Ilam in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand...
at the Christchurch Arts Centre
Christchurch Arts Centre
The Christchurch Arts Centre is a hub for arts, crafts and entertainment in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is located in the neo-gothic former University of Canterbury buildings, the majority of which were designed by Benjamin Mountfort...
.