Dame Margaret Ann Hercus, best known as Ann Hercus, is a New Zealand diplomat, politician and member of the Labour Party.
21 Facts About Ann Hercus
1.
2.
Ann Hercus represented the Lyttelton electorate from 1978 to 1987.
3.
Ann Hercus's parents were Horace and Mary Sayers.
4.
When Warren Freer, the Minister of Trade and Industry in the Third Labour Government, wanted a woman rather than the men proposed by the department for appointment to the Price Tribunal in 1973, Ann Hercus was recommended by Tom McGuigan.
5.
Ann Hercus's ability impressed Freer, so he later appointed her to the Commerce Commission and his successor Lance Adams-Schneider made her the deputy chairman.
6.
Ann Hercus stood as the Labour candidate for Lyttelton in the 1978 election and was elected, defeating the incumbent Colleen Dewe.
7.
In 1983 Ann Hercus stood for the deputy leadership of the party.
8.
Papanui MP Mike Moore had led on the first ballot, but after Ann Hercus was eliminated almost all of her supporters voted for Christchurch Central MP Geoffrey Palmer, who won.
9.
Ann Hercus was appointed as Labour's spokesperson for Social Welfare, Consumer Affairs and Women's Affairs by Labour leader David Lange.
10.
When Fourth Labour Government was formed in 1984, Ann Hercus was appointed the Minister of Social Welfare, Minister of Police and Women's Affairs.
11.
Ann Hercus was the first Minister for Women's Affairs, and the first woman to hold the Police portfolio.
12.
On 3 November 1984 Ann Hercus was assaulted after speaking to a women's forum at Hagley High School hall by Hikurangi Nihoniho, a 50 year old driver.
13.
Nihoniho was angry at Ann Hercus' statements supporting abortion and struck her in the chest as she was attempting to leave which Ann Hercus said left her feeling "felled like a log".
14.
Ann Hercus is one of the few New Zealand MPs to have been injured in a politically motivated attack.
15.
Ann Hercus did not stand for re-election in the 1987 election, and was succeeded in her Lyttelton seat by the Labour candidate Peter Simpson.
16.
Ann Hercus then served as Ambassador and Permanent Representative of New Zealand to the United Nations from 1988 to 1990.
17.
In 1993, Ann Hercus was awarded the New Zealand Suffrage Centennial Medal.
18.
Ann Hercus subsequently served as a member of the UN Secretary General's Eminent Persons Panel on Peacekeeping Operations in 2000.
19.
Ann Hercus has served on a wide range of NGO Boards and Boards of State Owned Enterprises.
20.
In 2002, Ann Hercus was appointed by the Minister of Broadcasting Marian Hobbs to the board of Television New Zealand.
21.
Ann Hercus was persuaded to remain on the Board by the Minister.