Positive and Noble Leadership

Reports according to Master’s order and rating

New Zealand

By brother initiate Terry Prince,
Christchurch, New Zealand (Originally in English)

The first female elected Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Honorable Ms. Helen Clark, has lead a remarkable life, and has been widely acclaimed as one of the country’s greatest and most influential leaders.

She was born to a conservative farming family and spent her early life growing up in the countryside where she was a shy and quiet youth. Her interest in politics developed during her years at university, where she was a top student, eventually gaining a Master’s degree in political science. Her involvement in the Vietnam War protest movement and her commitment to anti-racism campaigns in that period are two examples that illustrate the high values she had developed.

After becoming a Minister of Parliament in 1981, she requested the government to make commitments to improve the living standards of ordinary people, to recognize the rights of minorities, and to promote tolerance and social peace. She then called on the New Zealand government to work for international peace and for the disarmament of nuclear weapons. Her consistent advocacy for peace was recognized in 1986 when she was awarded the annual Peace Prize from the Danish Peace Foundation for her efforts in promoting international peace and disarmament.

She accomplished much as a Minister, notably the Smokefree Environments Act while Minister of Health, the Employment Equity Act while Minister of Labor and providing more government housing to those in greatest need when Minister of Housing.

In 1999 Helen Clark was elected as Prime Minister of New Zealand, and due to her interest and involvement in the arts, also became Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage. She still holds these positions in Golden Year 3 (2006), achieving many positive results in the years between. For example, the Honorable Ms. Clark’s government has greatly restored New Zealand’s welfare system. This has been achieved through schemes such as “Working for Families”. This program aims to reduce child poverty, to support low and middle income families and to ensure an adequate standard of living for all.

In addition, the benefit system has been altered, and financial support for the unemployed, the sick, single parents, the elderly and other vulnerable groups in society is readily available. The government subsidizes housing costs for those on lower incomes and ‘smoke free’ legislation has been strengthened. Furthermore, the Honorable Ms. Clark’s government has altered the industrial relations law in favor of ordinary workers, and has raised the minimum wage six times in six years, while interest free loans have been made available to tertiary students.[1]

Although these are just some of the accomplishments the New Zealand Government has achieved under the Honorable Ms. Clark’s leadership, they serve to demonstrate the vision she and her government have for the country.

New Zealand has been positively involved in world affairs for many years and this has been continued by the Honorable Ms. Clark’s government ♥♥♥♥, through peacekeeping missions, international aid and providing a positive example of leadership for other countries in the world. For example, New Zealand refuses the entry of nuclear powered or armed ships into its territory, and refused to participate in the invasion of Iraq without the request of the United Nations. At the same time, the government has given peacekeeping, development and aid resources to overseas countries, operated a compassionate policy towards refugees, and dismantled the strike wing of the New Zealand Air Force.

Ms. Clark worked very diligently, both in her studies and in numerous mundane jobs during her time as a student, in order to support herself with a basic standard of living. She has carried this strong work ethic into her later life, and does not place great importance on material possessions, instead seeking positive life experiences and serving as a public figure. As Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage, and as an arts enthusiast, she has energetically supported the arts and the artistic community in New Zealand.

We thank God for the peaceful country Hes has given us. We hope and pray that our leaders continue to lead the country in ever more noble and positive ways, to set a higher example of shining world leadership for the rest of the world, while learning from other noble teachers and leaders on this planet.