10 Facts About Margaret Austin

Margaret Austin was an MP from 1984 to 1996, representing first the Labour Party and then briefly United New Zealand.

Margaret Austin studied at Canterbury University College and Christchurch Teachers' College, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1953 and a Diploma of Teaching in 1954.

Margaret Austin went on to teach in Christchurch and in 1970 became the head of science at Christchurch Girls' High School and later became senior mistress at Riccarton High School in 1977.

Margaret Austin was a member of the Educational Administration Society and was its president for three years.

Margaret Austin was first elected to Parliament in the 1984 election as the MP for Yaldhurst, an electorate in western Christchurch.

Margaret Austin held the Yaldhurst seat for the Labour Party until 1995 when the seat was abolished, in preparation for the changeover to MMP, and she joined with six other MPs to found the centrist United New Zealand Party.

Margaret Austin later became Chancellor of Lincoln University from 2000 to 2005.

Margaret Austin has an interest in astronomy, leading the project for the Aoraki-Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve.

Margaret Austin was awarded the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal, and in 1993, she was awarded the New Zealand Suffrage Centennial Medal.

Margaret Austin has been elected as a Companion of the Royal Society of New Zealand.