Helen Duncan (New Zealand)
Encyclopedia
Helen Patricia Duncan MNZM
, was a New Zealand politician and a member of the Labour Party
.
on the West Coast
, and attended Canterbury University
, Auckland University
, and Christchurch Teachers' College. She worked as a teacher in a number of different cities. She has been involved with the New Zealand Educational Institute
(Te Riu Roa) and the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions
.
, standing unsuccessfully in the Auckland
electorate of Epsom.
In 1998, however, a Labour list MP Jill White
, resigned from Parliament. As Duncan was the next-ranked MP on the Labour Party
list, she entered Parliament in White's place.
In the 1999 election
and the 2002 election
, Duncan remained in Parliament as a list MP, also unsuccessfully contesting the North Shore seat.
She left Parliament at the 2005 election
after being diagnosed with cancer. She died on 6 February 2007.
In 2005, Duncan was appointed a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM).
New Zealand Order of Merit
The New Zealand Order of Merit is an order established in 1996 "for those persons who in any field of endeavour, have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and nation or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions or other merits."The order includes five...
, was a New Zealand politician and a member of the Labour Party
New Zealand Labour Party
The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935....
.
Early years
Duncan was born in GreymouthGreymouth
Greymouth is the largest town in the West Coast region in the South Island of New Zealand, and the seat of the Grey District Council. The population of the whole Grey District is , which accounts for % of the West Coast's inhabitants...
on the West Coast
West Coast, New Zealand
The West Coast is one of the administrative regions of New Zealand, located on the west coast of the South Island, and is one of the more remote and most sparsely populated areas of the country. It is made up of three districts: Buller, Grey and Westland...
, and attended Canterbury University
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...
, Auckland University
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 Christchurch Teachers' College. She worked as a teacher in a number of different cities. She has been involved with the New Zealand Educational Institute
New Zealand Educational Institute
The New Zealand Educational Institute is the largest education trade union in New Zealand. It was founded in 1883 and has a membership of 51,000.The NZEI is affiliated with the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions, and Education International....
(Te Riu Roa) and the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions
New Zealand Council of Trade Unions
The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions is a national trade union center in New Zealand. The NZCTU represents 360,000 workers, and is the largest democratic organisation in New Zealand....
.
Member of Parliament
She first stood for Parliament in the 1996 electionsNew 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...
, standing unsuccessfully in the Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
electorate of Epsom.
In 1998, however, a Labour list MP Jill White
Jill White
Jacqueline Jill White, known as Jill White is a former New Zealand Labour Party politician.-Local body politics:White was a councillor on Palmerston North City Council from 1983–1992. This was followed by some years in Parliament, a role which she resigned from in 1998 to become Mayor of...
, resigned from Parliament. As Duncan was the next-ranked MP on the Labour Party
New Zealand Labour Party
The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935....
list, she entered Parliament in White's place.
In the 1999 election
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...
and the 2002 election
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...
, Duncan remained in Parliament as a list MP, also unsuccessfully contesting the North Shore seat.
She left Parliament at the 2005 election
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...
after being diagnosed with cancer. She died on 6 February 2007.
In 2005, Duncan was appointed a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM).