Muriel Newman

Background

Newman was born in northern England, but arrived in New Zealand at the age of eight.

Education

She gained a Bachelor of Science in mathematics from University of Auckland, and then a Doctor of Philosophy in mathematics education from Rutgers University in the United States.

Career

She was the deputy leader of ACT New Zealand. She was raised in Whangarei. After working in the education sector for twenty years, she entered the business world with Michael Hill International, eventually becoming the deputy general manager of the New Zealand operation before being elected to Parliament.

She was elected to Parliament as a list Member of Parliament. In 2004, when Richard Prebble stepped down as ACT"s leader, Newman chose to step forward as a candidate to succeed him.

She remained a list Member of Parliament until the 2005 election, in which only two ACT MPs were returned. After leaving Parliament in 2005 Newman established the New Zealand Centre for Political Debate (since renamed the New Zealand Centre for Political Research).

Achievements

• In the end, the leadership was won by Rodney Hide, but Newman nevertheless emerged with the role of deputy leader. The organisation has had many prominent New Zealand and overseas guests write columns including: Sir Roger Douglas (Finance minister of the New Zealand Labour party from 1984 to 1988 and ACT New Zealand co-founder), Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Professor David Bellamy, Doctor Don Brash, Alan Duff, Richard Epstein, Lord Nigel Lawson, Owen McShane, Johan Norberg, Professor Peter Saunders, and others

Membership

She has been a president of the Northland Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Northland Health Board, and member of the Northland Conservation Board. Newman was a founding member of the ACT New Zealand party, and was one of its candidates in its first election.