Knight or Dame Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George KCMG/DCMG

Instituted in 1818 this order has three classes
[GCMG, KCMG/DCMG,and CMG.
Awarded for distinguished administrative or
diplomatic service.

The Honourable Dame [Margaret] Ann HERCUS 31 December 1987
DCMG

Born 24th February 1942, gained a BA from Auckland University and an LL.B
from Canterbury University.

When the Minister of Trade, Warren Freer, wanted a woman on the Price Tribunal
in 1973 she was proposed for the position.

He was impressed with her ability and appointed her to the Commerce Commission,
His successor, Lance Adams-Schneider, made her Deputy Chairman.

Stood for the Labour seat of Lyttleton in 1978, 81 and 84, she did not seek re-election in 1987.

She was the first Minister for Women’s Affairs and the first Woman to hold the NZ Police Portfolio.

Awarded the DCMG in January 1988 for public services.
Served as Ambassador and Permanent Representative to UN from 1988 to 1990

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The Right Honourable Sir Geoffrey Winston Russell
PALMER 31 December 1990
KCMG, AC, QC,

Born on 21st April 1942 in Nelson, Educated at Nelson Central, Intermediate and
College, he gained a BA degree in 1964 and an LL.B in 1965 from Victoria University
in Wellington.

Went to University of Chicago’s Law School and gained a Juris Doctor in 1967. He taught
for a period at the University of Iowa and the University of Virginia and undertook consultancy
work for the Australian Government.

Appointed a Professorship of Law at Victoria saw him return to NZ.

Winning a 1979 by-election for Labour in the Christchurch Central seat started his political
career, becoming Deputy leader of the Party in 1983.

When Labour won the 1984 election he became the 10th Deputy Prime Minister
of the 4th Labour Government.

When the Prime Minister, Lange resigned from ill health in May 1989, he assumed the
position of Prime Minister.

Two months before the 1990 elections, when it was clear that he could not lead his party
to victory he resigned from politics.

He returned to his previous Law Professorship at Victoria University, and at the University
of Iowa, also, for a time, a Law Consultant.

Awarded the KCMG in 1991 and an Honorary Companion of the Order of Australia in the same year.
In 1991 he was listed on the UN Global 500 Roll of Honour for his work on Environmental Issues

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Dame Catherine TIZARD
ONZ, GCMG, GOVO, DBE, QSO, DStJ,

Born 4th April 1931 in Waharoa, Waikato,

Was married in 1951, had her four children before the age of 27.

Returned to Auckland University and completed a Zoology degree.

Became a member on the Auckland City Council in 1971 to 1983
and the Auckland Regional Authority in 1980.

Due to her husband’s [Bob Tizard] success in Parliament the family
moved to Wellington and she commuted to Auckland for Council business.

From 1976 to 1985 she was starred on the popular TV show,
‘Beauty and the Beast’, with Selwyn Toogood and Shona McFarlane.

Ran for Mayor of Auckland City in the 1983 local elections and became
the first female to serve in that office.

On 13th December 1990 she was appointed as Governor General of New Zealand.

She was the third female Governor in the British Commonwealth, following
Dame Minita Gordon of Belize 1981, and Dame Jeanne Sauve of Canada 1984.

Awarded the ONZ on 3 June 2002,
DBE in 1985
GCMG in 1990

Appointed Honorary Colonel of the 3rd Auckland [Countess of Ranfurly’s Own]
And Northland Regiment.

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Award info
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