Heather Roy
Encyclopedia
Heather Roy is a New Zealand
politician
and has served as an ACT Member of Parliament
since 2002. From 2006 until 17 August 2010, Roy was ACT's Deputy Leader. Following the signing of the National-ACT Supply and Confidence Agreement after the 2008 General Election she was appointed as Minister (outside Cabinet) of Consumer Affairs, as well as Associate Minister of Defence and Associate Minister of Education. On 17 August 2010, Roy was replaced as Deputy Leader by first term ACT MP John Boscawen who took over her primary Ministerial role.
Before entering politics, Roy worked as a physiotherapist, medical research co-ordinator, manager of a private kindergarten and as publicity officer for the New Zealand Portrait Gallery. She and her husband Duncan, a doctor, have five children.
ACT ranked her tenth on its party list, and she narrowly missed out on a seat in Parliament
. In the 2002 elections
, however, ranked ninth, she won election as a list MP. She also contested the United Future safe seat
of Ohariu-Belmont
, polling fifth.
In June 2005, she won promotion from ninth list position to second - even before she became the party's deputy leader. In the 2005 elections
, she again campaigned for ACT party vote and accompanied Rodney Hide through much of his Epsom campaign. However, she also stood in Ohariu-Belmont
, coming fifth.
In 2006, she completed basic and corps training as a Reserve Forces field engineer (Royal New Zealand Engineers) within the New Zealand Army. Whilst Associate Defence Minister, she was required to transfer to the non-active Reserve but, since leaving the Executive Council
has resumed active training.
In the 2008
election, she contested the electorate of Wellington Central
, a seat formerly held by former ACT leader and co-founder Richard Prebble
from 1996
to 1999
. Campaigning solely for party vote, she polled fourth in the electorate count but was re-elected to Parliament on the ACT party list.
In November 2008, as part of the Supply and Confidence Agreement between the ACT and National Party
which allowed the formation of a Government, Heather Roy was appointed to ministerial posts outside the cabinet as Minister of Consumer Affairs, Associate Defence Minister and Associate Education Minister.
Following internal party concerns she was removed as deputy leader of the Act Party in August 2010. Her ministerial portfolios were transferred to the new deputy leader, John Boscawen
, by the Governor-General following advice from the Prime Minister. Since 17 August 2010, she has assumed the roles of spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Health, Social Development and Employment, Police, Corrections, Courts, Labour, Science and Innovation, Pacific Affairs, Ethnic Affairs, Arts, Culture and Heritage, Tourism, Sports and Recreation, Youth Affairs and Tertiary Education. She also sits on the Select Committees for Education and Science; Local Government and Environment as well as the Parliamentary Service Commission; Roy has also taken charge of a bill submitted by Sir Roger Douglas
, The Education (Freedom of Association) Amendment Bill (Voluntary Student Membership), which It proposes to make membership of student associations and unions voluntary; at present this bill is in the House Committee Stage with an aim to be effective as of 2012.
Roy announced that she will retire at the 2011 general election
.
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
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and has served as an ACT Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
since 2002. From 2006 until 17 August 2010, Roy was ACT's Deputy Leader. Following the signing of the National-ACT Supply and Confidence Agreement after the 2008 General Election she was appointed as Minister (outside Cabinet) of Consumer Affairs, as well as Associate Minister of Defence and Associate Minister of Education. On 17 August 2010, Roy was replaced as Deputy Leader by first term ACT MP John Boscawen who took over her primary Ministerial role.
Before entering politics, Roy worked as a physiotherapist, medical research co-ordinator, manager of a private kindergarten and as publicity officer for the New Zealand Portrait Gallery. She and her husband Duncan, a doctor, have five children.
Member of Parliament
In the 1999 electionsNew Zealand general election, 1999
The 1999 New Zealand general election was held on 27 November 1999 to determine the composition of the 46th New Zealand Parliament. The governing National Party, led by Prime Minister Jenny Shipley, was defeated, being replaced by a coalition of Helen Clark's Labour Party and the smaller Alliance...
ACT ranked her tenth on its party list, and she narrowly missed out on a seat in Parliament
Parliament of New Zealand
The Parliament of New Zealand consists of the Queen of New Zealand and the New Zealand House of Representatives and, until 1951, the New Zealand Legislative Council. The House of Representatives is often referred to as "Parliament".The House of Representatives usually consists of 120 Members of...
. In the 2002 elections
New Zealand general election, 2002
The 2002 New Zealand general election was held on 27 July 2002 to determine the composition of the 47th New Zealand Parliament. It saw the reelection of Helen Clark's Labour Party government, as well as the worst-ever performance by the opposition National Party.Arguably the most controversial...
, however, ranked ninth, she won election as a list MP. She also contested the United Future safe seat
Safe seat
A safe seat is a seat in a legislative body which is regarded as fully secured, either by a certain political party, the incumbent representative personally or a combination of both...
of Ohariu-Belmont
Ohariu-Belmont (New Zealand electorate)
Ohariu-Belmont was a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, from 1996 to 2008.-Population centres:The electorate covered the northern suburbs of the city of Wellington, i.e. Ngaio, Tawa, Khandallah and Johnsonville, and also the adjacent suburb of Belmont in the Western Hutt Valley.-History:The...
, polling fifth.
In June 2005, she won promotion from ninth list position to second - even before she became the party's deputy leader. In the 2005 elections
New Zealand general election, 2005
The 2005 New Zealand general election held on 17 September 2005 determined the composition of the 48th New Zealand Parliament. No party won a majority in the unicameral House of Representatives, but the Labour Party of Prime Minister Helen Clark secured two more seats than nearest rival, the...
, she again campaigned for ACT party vote and accompanied Rodney Hide through much of his Epsom campaign. However, she also stood in Ohariu-Belmont
Ohariu-Belmont (New Zealand electorate)
Ohariu-Belmont was a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, from 1996 to 2008.-Population centres:The electorate covered the northern suburbs of the city of Wellington, i.e. Ngaio, Tawa, Khandallah and Johnsonville, and also the adjacent suburb of Belmont in the Western Hutt Valley.-History:The...
, coming fifth.
In 2006, she completed basic and corps training as a Reserve Forces field engineer (Royal New Zealand Engineers) within the New Zealand Army. Whilst Associate Defence Minister, she was required to transfer to the non-active Reserve but, since leaving the Executive Council
Executive Council of New Zealand
The Executive Council of New Zealand is the body which legally serves the functions of the Cabinet. It has a function similar to that served by the Privy Council in the United Kingdom...
has resumed active training.
In the 2008
New Zealand general election, 2008
The 2008 New Zealand general election was held on 8 November 2008 to determine the composition of the 49th New Zealand parliament. The conservative National Party, headed by its Parliamentary leader John Key, won a plurality of votes and seats, ending 9 years of government dominated by the social...
election, she contested the electorate of Wellington Central
Wellington Central
rightWellington Central is a suburb of New Zealand's capital, Wellington, consisting of the flat, mostly reclaimed land, west of Lambton Harbour and the part of The Terrace immediately above it. It is bounded on the north by the suburb Pipitea and extends as far south as Civic Square...
, a seat formerly held by former ACT leader and co-founder Richard Prebble
Richard Prebble
Richard William Prebble CBE, born 7 February 1948, was for many years a member of the New Zealand Parliament. Initially a member of the Labour Party, he joined the newly formed ACT New Zealand party under Roger Douglas in 1996.-Early and personal life:...
from 1996
New Zealand general election, 1996
The 1996 New Zealand general election was held on 12 October 1996 to determine the composition of the 45th New Zealand Parliament. It was notable for being the first election to be held under the new Mixed Member Proportional electoral system, and produced a parliament considerably more diverse...
to 1999
New Zealand general election, 1999
The 1999 New Zealand general election was held on 27 November 1999 to determine the composition of the 46th New Zealand Parliament. The governing National Party, led by Prime Minister Jenny Shipley, was defeated, being replaced by a coalition of Helen Clark's Labour Party and the smaller Alliance...
. Campaigning solely for party vote, she polled fourth in the electorate count but was re-elected to Parliament on the ACT party list.
In November 2008, as part of the Supply and Confidence Agreement between the ACT and National Party
New Zealand National Party
The New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:...
which allowed the formation of a Government, Heather Roy was appointed to ministerial posts outside the cabinet as Minister of Consumer Affairs, Associate Defence Minister and Associate Education Minister.
Following internal party concerns she was removed as deputy leader of the Act Party in August 2010. Her ministerial portfolios were transferred to the new deputy leader, John Boscawen
John Boscawen
John Boscawen is an ACT New Zealand member of the New Zealand House of Representatives and as of May 2011, ACT's Parliamentary Leader and former Minister of Consumer Affairs of New Zealand. He came to parliament in the 2008 general election as a list MP, having been ranked fourth...
, by the Governor-General following advice from the Prime Minister. Since 17 August 2010, she has assumed the roles of spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Health, Social Development and Employment, Police, Corrections, Courts, Labour, Science and Innovation, Pacific Affairs, Ethnic Affairs, Arts, Culture and Heritage, Tourism, Sports and Recreation, Youth Affairs and Tertiary Education. She also sits on the Select Committees for Education and Science; Local Government and Environment as well as the Parliamentary Service Commission; Roy has also taken charge of a bill submitted by Sir Roger Douglas
Roger Douglas
Sir Roger Owen Douglas , is a New Zealand politician who formerly served as a senior New Zealand Labour Party Cabinet minister. He became arguably best-known for his prominent role in the radical economic restructuring undertaken by the Fourth Labour Government during the 1980s...
, The Education (Freedom of Association) Amendment Bill (Voluntary Student Membership), which It proposes to make membership of student associations and unions voluntary; at present this bill is in the House Committee Stage with an aim to be effective as of 2012.
Roy announced that she will retire at the 2011 general election
New Zealand general election, 2011
The 2011 New Zealand general election on Saturday 26 November 2011 determined the membership of the 50th New Zealand Parliament.One hundred and twenty-one MPs were elected to the New Zealand House of Representatives, 70 from single-member electorates, including one overhang seat, and 51 from party...
.
External links
- Heather Roy - Ministerial page
- Heather Roy's website