Hon. Ruth Margaret Richardson

Background

Richardson, Ruth Margaret was born on December 13, 1950 in Wanganui, New Zealand. Daughter of Ross and Rita (Lee) Richardson.

Education

Educated at Wanganui and New Plymouth. University of Canterbury, Christchurch, Bachelor of Laws (Honours).

Career

Legal adviser, Law Reform Division, Justice Department, 1972-1975. Legal adviser, Federated Farmers, 1975-1981. Held number of executive positions in National Party.

Unsuccessful candidate for Tasman, 1978. Elected Member of Parliament for Selwyn, since 1981. Appointed to the National Advisory Council on the Employment of Women, 1976.

Member, Government Committee on Women, 1977. Served on parliamentary select committee on Education and Science, and the Mems. Services Committee; has been Opposition Spokeswoman on education and youth issues.

Minister of Finance, with additional responsibility for the Earthquake and War Damage Commission and the National Provident Fund, November since 1990. Professional career: farmer in her own right since 1972.

Interests

• Gardening, skiing, running, sailing.

Connections

Married Andrew Evan Wright, February 8, 1975. Children: Lucy, Oliver.

Father:

Ross Richardson

Mother:

Rita (Lee) Richardson

Spouse:

Andrew Evan Wright

child:

Lucy Richardson

child:

Oliver Richardson