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Ann Hercus
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Ann Hercus
Dame Margaret Ann Hercus DCMG (née Sayers, born 24 February 1942), best known as Ann Hercus, is a New Zealand diplomat, politician and member of the Labour Party. She represented the Lyttelton electorate from 1978 to 1987.
Her parents were Horace and Mary (née Ryan) Sayers.[citation needed] Hercus earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature from the University of Auckland and a law degree from the University of Canterbury.[citation needed]
When Warren Freer, the Minister of Trade and Industry in the Third Labour Government, wanted a woman rather than the men proposed by the department for appointment to the Price Tribunal in 1973, Hercus was recommended by Tom McGuigan. Her ability impressed Freer, so he later appointed her to the Commerce Commission and his successor Lance Adams-Schneider made her the deputy chairman.
Hercus stood as the Labour candidate for Lyttelton in the 1978 election and was elected, defeating the incumbent Colleen Dewe. She was re-elected in 1981 and 1984.
In 1983 Hercus stood for the deputy leadership of the party. In a three-way contest, in which all candidates were from Christchurch to reflect geographical proportionality, Hercus finished third. Papanui MP Mike Moore had led on the first ballot, but after Hercus was eliminated almost all of her supporters voted for Christchurch Central MP Geoffrey Palmer, who won. She was subsequently appointed as Labour's spokesperson for Social Welfare, Consumer Affairs and Women's Affairs by Labour leader David Lange.
When Fourth Labour Government was formed in 1984, Hercus was appointed the Minister of Social Welfare, Minister of Police and Women's Affairs. She was the first Minister for Women's Affairs, and also the first woman to hold the Police portfolio.
On 3 November 1984 Hercus was assaulted after speaking to a women's forum at Hagley High School hall by Hikurangi Nihoniho, a 50 year old driver. Nihoniho was angry at Hercus' statements supporting abortion and struck her in the chest as she was attempting to leave which Hercus said left her feeling "felled like a log". Nihoniho was found guilty of assault and fined $200. Hercus is one of the few New Zealand MPs to have been injured in a politically motivated attack.
Hercus did not stand for re-election in the 1987 election, and was succeeded in her Lyttelton seat by the Labour candidate Peter Simpson.
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Ann Hercus
Dame Margaret Ann Hercus DCMG (née Sayers, born 24 February 1942), best known as Ann Hercus, is a New Zealand diplomat, politician and member of the Labour Party. She represented the Lyttelton electorate from 1978 to 1987.
Her parents were Horace and Mary (née Ryan) Sayers.[citation needed] Hercus earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature from the University of Auckland and a law degree from the University of Canterbury.[citation needed]
When Warren Freer, the Minister of Trade and Industry in the Third Labour Government, wanted a woman rather than the men proposed by the department for appointment to the Price Tribunal in 1973, Hercus was recommended by Tom McGuigan. Her ability impressed Freer, so he later appointed her to the Commerce Commission and his successor Lance Adams-Schneider made her the deputy chairman.
Hercus stood as the Labour candidate for Lyttelton in the 1978 election and was elected, defeating the incumbent Colleen Dewe. She was re-elected in 1981 and 1984.
In 1983 Hercus stood for the deputy leadership of the party. In a three-way contest, in which all candidates were from Christchurch to reflect geographical proportionality, Hercus finished third. Papanui MP Mike Moore had led on the first ballot, but after Hercus was eliminated almost all of her supporters voted for Christchurch Central MP Geoffrey Palmer, who won. She was subsequently appointed as Labour's spokesperson for Social Welfare, Consumer Affairs and Women's Affairs by Labour leader David Lange.
When Fourth Labour Government was formed in 1984, Hercus was appointed the Minister of Social Welfare, Minister of Police and Women's Affairs. She was the first Minister for Women's Affairs, and also the first woman to hold the Police portfolio.
On 3 November 1984 Hercus was assaulted after speaking to a women's forum at Hagley High School hall by Hikurangi Nihoniho, a 50 year old driver. Nihoniho was angry at Hercus' statements supporting abortion and struck her in the chest as she was attempting to leave which Hercus said left her feeling "felled like a log". Nihoniho was found guilty of assault and fined $200. Hercus is one of the few New Zealand MPs to have been injured in a politically motivated attack.
Hercus did not stand for re-election in the 1987 election, and was succeeded in her Lyttelton seat by the Labour candidate Peter Simpson.
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