Helen Clark
1950 -

Helen Clark was elected Prime Minister of New Zealand on 27 November 1999. Her rise to the top of New Zealand politics is the culmination of almost thirty years of involvement with the Labour Party, and the latest chapter in a remarkable story which began in New Zealand's provincial, conservative heartland.

She was born in 1950, in Hamilton, and spent her first twelve years on the family sheep and cattle farm to the west of the city. She is the oldest of four girls and attended Te Pahu Primary School.  She had five years of secondary schooling at Auckland's Epsom Girls' Grammar, where she was a boarder, then entered the University of Auckland in 1968 to study politics. Later she lectured in political studies at the university.

It was during her time at university that Helen Clark's active involvement in politics began, sparked by issues such as the civil war in Vietnam, apartheid in South Africa, and nuclear testing in the South Pacific.  Clark  joined the Labour Party in 1971 and in 1975 stood for election to Parliament for the first time, in the safe National seat of Piako.  She was elected as MP for Mt Albert in 1981.

Between 1984 and 1987 Helen Clark was chair of the foreign affairs and defense select committee, at a time when New Zealand declared itself nuclear free and generally pursued a more independent stance in its foreign policy.

In 1986 Helen Clark was awarded the annual Peace Prize of the Danish Peace Foundation for her work in promoting peace and disarmament.

In 1987, following the re-election of Labour, Helen Clark was elected to the Cabinet. Over the next three years she held a number of ministerial portfolios - conservation, housing, labour and health.

From August 1989 until October 1990 she was Deputy Prime Minister.

As health minister Helen Clark sponsored the introduction of tobacco control legislation. This provided protection against smoking in workplaces and public places, and eliminated tobacco advertising and the sponsorship of sporting events by tobacco companies.

Helen Clark was elected Leader of the Labour Party in December 1993 and served as Leader of the Opposition until the general election in November 1999, when Labour was again elected to government. She won a second term at the 2002 general election.

Helen Clark is married to Dr Peter Davis, Professor of Sociology and head of the Sociology Department at Auckland University.

This carved emu egg comes with it's own hand turned hardwood egg stand, and  can become a personalized gift with an inscription on the back.

Because of the variations of color and texture inherent in the emu egg itself, each carved egg will be unique and make a distinctive addition to any decor or collection.  

#143 Helen Clark Carved Emu Egg $95.00