Margaret Austin
Encyclopedia
Margaret Elizabeth Austin, CNZM
(born 1933) is a former New Zealand
politician. She was an MP from 1984 to 1996, representing first the Labour Party
and then United New Zealand
.
She was first elected to Parliament in the 1984 elections
as the MP for Yaldhurst
, an electorate in western Christchurch
. She held that seat for the Labour Party
until 1995, when she joined with six other MPs to found the centrist United New Zealand
Party.
Like all United New Zealand
MPs (but Peter Dunne
), however, Austin was not re-elected in the 1996 elections
.
She later became Chancellor
of Lincoln University
.
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...
(born 1933) is a former 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. She was an MP from 1984 to 1996, representing first 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....
and then United New Zealand
United New Zealand
United New Zealand was a centrist political party in New Zealand founded in 1995. It merged with the Christian-based Future New Zealand party to form the United Future New Zealand party in 2000.-History:...
.
She was first elected to Parliament in the 1984 elections
New Zealand general election, 1984
The 1984 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the 41st New Zealand Parliament. It marked the beginning of the Fourth Labour Government, with David Lange's Labour Party defeating long-serving Prime Minister Robert Muldoon of the National Party. It was also the...
as the MP for Yaldhurst
Yaldhurst (New Zealand electorate)
Yaldhurst is a former New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, near the city of Christchurch.The electorate was to the southwest of Christchurch, and is suburban and semi-rural.-History:...
, an electorate in western Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
. She held that seat for 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....
until 1995, when she joined with six other MPs to found the centrist United New Zealand
United New Zealand
United New Zealand was a centrist political party in New Zealand founded in 1995. It merged with the Christian-based Future New Zealand party to form the United Future New Zealand party in 2000.-History:...
Party.
Like all United New Zealand
United New Zealand
United New Zealand was a centrist political party in New Zealand founded in 1995. It merged with the Christian-based Future New Zealand party to form the United Future New Zealand party in 2000.-History:...
MPs (but Peter Dunne
Peter Dunne
Peter Dunne is a New Zealand politician and Member of Parliament who leads the United Future political party. He has served as a Cabinet minister in governments dominated by the centre-left Labour Party as well as by the centre-right National Party...
), however, Austin was not re-elected in the 1996 elections
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...
.
She later became Chancellor
Chancellor (education)
A chancellor or vice-chancellor is the chief executive of a university. Other titles are sometimes used, such as president or rector....
of Lincoln University
Lincoln University, New Zealand
Lincoln University is a New Zealand university that was formed in 1990 when Lincoln College, Canterbury was made independent of the University of Canterbury...
.
Further reading
- Austin's contribution is: "Speech notes."
- Austin's contribution is noted under the title: "Opposition Spokesperson on Education."
- Austin's contribution is a paper entitled: "[T]he agenda for change and it's [sic] effects on education."
- This book contains a profile of Austin, with eleven other women.