Clark, Helen, 1950–, New Zealand politician, prime minister (1999–), b. Hamilton, N.Z. A graduate of the Univ. of Auckland (B.A., 1971; M.A., 1974), she taught political science there (1973–81). In 1981 she was elected to parliament as a member of the Labor party. Clark held various cabinet posts (1987–90) and served deputy prime minister (1989–90). Named party leader in 1993, she led the party to victory in 1999 and became prime minister of coalition government; Labor retained power in 2002 and 2005. In office, Clark has increased government spending, boosted the economy, nationalized lands claimed by Maoris, championed a national antinuclear policy, and refused to join the U.S.–led war against Iraq.

Clark, Helen

Helen Clark, 2005.

(credit: Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

(born Feb. 26, 1950, Hamilton, N.Z.) New Zealand prime minister. In 1999 she became the first woman in New Zealand to hold the office of prime minister immediately following an election. She received bachelor's (1971) and master's (1974) degrees in political science at the University of Auckland, where she taught from 1973 to 1981. Elected to Parliament in 1981, she held various cabinet portfolios beginning in 1987. She served as deputy prime minister in 1989–90 and was appointed to the Privy Council in 1990, both firsts for a woman in New Zealand. In 1993 she was elected head of the Labour Party, becoming the first woman in New Zealand to head a major party. In 1999, when the Labour Party was able to form a governing coalition, Clark was elected prime minister.