Sue Wood
Encyclopedia
Suzanne Mary Wood, born in Onehunga in 1948, was the president of the National Party
from 1982 to 1986, the first woman to hold the post. She had been a teacher, journalist and swimming coach.
Her term as president included the latter years of the Third National Government
of Robert Muldoon
, the 1984 general election
, and the associated constitutional crisis.
She stood as the party candidate for Onehunga
in the 1980 by-election
and the 1981 general election
; she was then teaching at Onehunga High School
. In 2002 She stood in the seat of Mana, being defeated by Labour MP Winnie Laban. Although she held a relatively high Party List ranking of 19, the very poor overall result in the 2002 Election for National meant she was not elected to Parliament.
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:...
from 1982 to 1986, the first woman to hold the post. She had been a teacher, journalist and swimming coach.
Her term as president included the latter years of the Third National Government
Third National Government of New Zealand
The Third National Government of New Zealand was the government of New Zealand from 1975 to 1984. It was an economically and socially conservative government, which aimed to preserve the Keynesian economic system established by the First Labour government while also being socially conservative...
of Robert Muldoon
Robert Muldoon
Sir Robert David "Rob" Muldoon, GCMG, CH served as the 31st Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1975 to 1984, as leader of the governing National Party. Muldoon had been a prominent member of the National party and MP for the Tamaki electorate for some years prior to becoming leader of the party...
, the 1984 general election
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...
, and the associated constitutional crisis.
She stood as the party candidate for Onehunga
Onehunga (New Zealand electorate)
Onehunga is a former New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, in the city of Auckland.-Population centres:The electorate is urban, and comprises a number of suburbs in the southern part of Auckland.* -History:...
in the 1980 by-election
Onehunga by-election 1980
The Onehunga by-election of 1980 was a by-election for the electorate during the 39th New Zealand Parliament. It was prompted by the death of Frank Rogers, a Labour Party MP. It was held on 7 June 1980 and was won by Fred Gerbic, also of the Labour Party....
and the 1981 general election
New Zealand general election, 1981
The 1981 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the 40th New Zealand Parliament. It saw the governing National Party, led by Robert Muldoon, win a third term in office, although the opposition Labour Party, led by Bill Rowling, actually won the largest share of...
; she was then teaching at Onehunga High School
Onehunga High School
Onehunga High School is a state co-educational secondary school in the Auckland suburb of Onehunga, New Zealand.The school incorporates a business school, founded by Just Water International's creator Tony Falkenstein, which is sponsored by brewery company Lion Nathan and a construction school...
. In 2002 She stood in the seat of Mana, being defeated by Labour MP Winnie Laban. Although she held a relatively high Party List ranking of 19, the very poor overall result in the 2002 Election for National meant she was not elected to Parliament.