Maryan Street
Encyclopedia
Maryan Street is a Member of the New Zealand Parliament (MP) for the New Zealand Labour Party
. In the 2005 elections
, she became the first openly lesbian
woman elected to the New Zealand Parliament.
. She joined the Labour Party in 1984, and was President of the Labour Party from 1994 until 1996. She was later appointed Director of Labour Studies at Auckland University
, and also served on the board of a number of governmental bodies. Street was Co-Chair of the Rainbow Labour
Sector Council within the Labour Party in 2004-5.
seat of Taranaki-King Country
against the incumbent National Party
MP, Shane Ardern
. Street was elected to parliament as a list MP.
In 2006, Street's Residential Tenancies (Damage Insurance) Amendment Bill was drawn from the member's ballot. It passed its first reading, but was subsequently discharged after the Social Services Committee recommended that it not be passed. Street subsequently promoted a bill promoting ethical investment by crown financial institutions.
In the Cabinet re-shuffle on 31 October 2007, Street was made a Cabinet Minister with the portfolios of Housing and ACC, and was made an Associate Minister of Tertiary Education and Economic Development.
In the lead up to the 2008 general election
, Street was highly placed on the party's list, at nine. She also unsuccessfully contested the Nelson electorate
. Labour was defeated in the election but Street was returned to parliament due to her list placing.
In July 2009 Street introduced a members bill which would prohibit the import of goods produced by slave labour, but the bill failed to pass its first reading.
On 15 June 2010, Opposition Leader Phil Goff appointed Street to be Portfolio Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs, a position formerly held by Chris Carter.
.
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....
. In the 2005 elections
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...
, she became the first openly lesbian
Lesbian
Lesbian is a term most widely used in the English language to describe sexual and romantic desire between females. The word may be used as a noun, to refer to women who identify themselves or who are characterized by others as having the primary attribute of female homosexuality, or as an...
woman elected to the New Zealand Parliament.
Early years
Street was born and raised in New Plymouth, and studied at Victoria University of WellingtonVictoria University of Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington was established in 1897 by Act of Parliament, and was a former constituent college of the University of New Zealand. It is particularly well known for its programmes in law, the humanities, and some scientific disciplines, but offers a broad range of other courses...
. She joined the Labour Party in 1984, and was President of the Labour Party from 1994 until 1996. She was later appointed Director of Labour Studies at 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 also served on the board of a number of governmental bodies. Street was Co-Chair of the Rainbow Labour
Rainbow labour
Rainbow Labour is part of the New Zealand Labour Party. It started as a branch in Chris Carter's Auckland Waipareira electorate in 1997, just after Chris Carter had been narrowly defeated in the election the previous year. At about the same time, Tim Barnett, newly elected to Parliament as an...
Sector Council within the Labour Party in 2004-5.
Member of Parliament
In the 2005 elections, Street was ranked thirty-sixth on its party list. This was the second highest position given by Labour in 2005 to someone who was not already a member of Parliament. She also contested the safe NationalNew Zealand National Party
The New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:...
seat of Taranaki-King Country
Taranaki-King Country
rightTaranaki-King Country is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Taranaki-King Country is Shane Ardern of the National Party...
against the incumbent National Party
New Zealand National Party
The New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:...
MP, Shane Ardern
Shane Ardern
Philip Shane Ardern is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the National Party, representing the electorate of Taranaki-King Country.-Early years:...
. Street was elected to parliament as a list MP.
In 2006, Street's Residential Tenancies (Damage Insurance) Amendment Bill was drawn from the member's ballot. It passed its first reading, but was subsequently discharged after the Social Services Committee recommended that it not be passed. Street subsequently promoted a bill promoting ethical investment by crown financial institutions.
In the Cabinet re-shuffle on 31 October 2007, Street was made a Cabinet Minister with the portfolios of Housing and ACC, and was made an Associate Minister of Tertiary Education and Economic Development.
In the lead up to the 2008 general election
New Zealand general election, 2008
The 2008 New Zealand general election was held on 8 November 2008 to determine the composition of the 49th New Zealand parliament. The conservative National Party, headed by its Parliamentary leader John Key, won a plurality of votes and seats, ending 9 years of government dominated by the social...
, Street was highly placed on the party's list, at nine. She also unsuccessfully contested the Nelson electorate
Nelson (New Zealand electorate)
Nelson is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. From 1853 to 1860, the electorate was called Town of Nelson. From 1860 to 1881, it was City of Nelson...
. Labour was defeated in the election but Street was returned to parliament due to her list placing.
In July 2009 Street introduced a members bill which would prohibit the import of goods produced by slave labour, but the bill failed to pass its first reading.
On 15 June 2010, Opposition Leader Phil Goff appointed Street to be Portfolio Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs, a position formerly held by Chris Carter.
Personal life
Her partner is Kathryn Street, a former press secretary to Prime Minister Helen ClarkHelen Clark
Helen Elizabeth Clark, ONZ is a New Zealand political figure who was the 37th Prime Minister of New Zealand for three consecutive terms from 1999 to 2008...
.