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| − | '''Helen Clark''' was [[Prime Minister]] of [[New Zealand]] from December 5, 1999, to November 19, 2008. Her rise to the top of New Zealand politics is the culmination of almost thirty years of involvement with the Labour Party. She currently serves as Administrator of the [[United Nations]] Development Programme.
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| − | == Early Life ==
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| − | Helen Clark was born in 1950, in the northern city of Hamilton, and spent her first twelve years on the
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| − | family [[sheep]] and [[cattle]] [[farm]] to the west of the city. She is the oldest of four girls.
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| − | After five years of secondary schooling at Auckland's Epsom Girls' Grammar, where she was a boarder, Helen Clark entered the [[University]] of Auckland in 1968 to study [[politics]]. Later she lectured in political studies at the [[university]].
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| − | It was during her time at [[university]] that Helen Clark's active involvement in [[politics]] began, sparked by issues such as the war in [[Vietnam]], [[apartheid]] in [[South Africa]], and [[nuclear]] testing in the South [[Pacific]].
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| − | In 1986 Helen Clark was awarded the annual Peace Prize of the Danish Peace Foundation for her work in promoting peace and disarmament.
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| − | == Political Career ==
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| − | In 1987, following the re-election of the [[New Zealand]] Labour Party, 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]].
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| − | 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.
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| − | 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]].
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| − | Outside of [[politics]], Helen Clark is an avid patron of the arts (holding the official portfolio of Minister for the Arts). She enjoys classical concerts, opera and is a keen sportswoman.
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| − | Helen Clark is married to Dr Peter Davis, [[Professor]] of [[Sociology]] and head of the Sociology Department at [[Auckland University]].
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| − | {{DEFAULTSORT: Clark, Helen}}
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| − | [[Category:Prime Ministers]]
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