| The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-07. |
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| Clark, Helen |
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| 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. |
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| | | The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright © 2007 Columbia University Press. |
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