Long-serving MP to receive a Waikato University distinguished alumni award
Long-serving Labour politician Dame Annette King will receive a Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of
Waikato next month (August 24).
Dame Annette graduated from the University of Waikato in 1982 with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in political science and
history.
The former dental nurse was elected to parliament in 1984, winning the Labour seat for Horowhenua. She quickly climbed
the Party ranks, from chair of the social welfare select committee in her first term, to under-secretary for the
ministers of employment, social welfare, tourism and youth affairs in her second. In a cabinet reshuffle in 1989 she was
promoted to Minister of Employment and Youth Affairs and, in the following year, Minister of Immigration. Dame Annette
also held a number of other portfolios during her 30-year career, including racing, food safety, state services, police,
transport and justice, and was associate Minister of Defence and Associate Minister of Trade.
During the 1980s she was involved in the establishment of the Ministry for Women’s Affairs and became a strong advocate
for gender equality, women’s representation and pay equity.
But it was in areas of health and social justice that Dame Annette had most significant impact. As Minister of Health
she was responsible for a number of initiatives that made healthcare more accessible, especially for young children and
women. She saw the implementation of district health boards and primary health organisations. On behalf of the
government she signed the UN Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which has guided tobacco policy in New Zealand.
She made mental health a priority and set up health workforce planning for New Zealand. She was the recipient of a Bravo
award by the New Zealand Skeptics as part of an attempt to provide standards and accountability via the Therapeutic
Products and Medicines Bill.
Dame Annette was a deputy leader of the New Zealand Labour Party, and served two terms as Deputy Leader of the
Opposition before retiring from politics in September last year.
The University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic Professor Robyn Longhurst says honouring Dame Annette’s achievements is
both timely and fitting. “Her values align closely with the University of Waikato’s motto – Ko te Tangata [For the
People]. She’s always been on the side of ‘the people’ giving her all to the pursuit of social justice, enacting
positive social change.”
Four more University of Waikato alumni will receive distinguished alumni awards next month. They are one of the world’s
best-known archaeologists Professor Tom Higham, international businessman Jan Zijdeveld, influential psychologist Dr
Sarah Calvert and Queens Counsel and company director Miriam Dean CNZM. Dr Shane Legg, founder of DeepMind Technologies,
received a distinguished alumni award from the University of Waikato earlier this year.
ends