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