21 Facts About Russell Marshall

Cedric Russell Marshall was a New Zealand Labour Party politician and diplomat.

Russell Marshall was a Methodist minister from 1960 to 1972, serving in Spreydon and Halswell, Christchurch and in Masterton.

Russell Marshall represented the Wanganui electorate from 1972 to 1990, when he retired.

Russell Marshall was Senior Opposition Whip from 1978 to 1980.

When Rowling retired in 1983 Russell Marshall stood to replace him as party leader, but was beaten by David Lange.

Russell Marshall was a Cabinet Minister from 1984 to 1990 during the Fourth Labour Government.

Russell Marshall was Minister of Education, Minister for the Environment, Minister of Conservation and Minister of Disarmament and Arms Control during the government's first term.

Russell Marshall merged parts of the Department of Lands and Survey, the Forest Service and Wildlife Service into the new Department of Conservation and additionally established the Ministry for the Environment.

Russell Marshall tackled the problem of class sizes setting a goal of recruiting 2,500 new teachers to reduce classes to a maximum of 20 students.

Russell Marshall was returned to cabinet but had a shift of responsibilities, retaining only the Disarmament and Arms Control portfolio and was additionally Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Pacific Island Affairs.

Russell Marshall held the foreign affairs portfolio during the Fijian coup d'etat in September 1987 and led New Zealand's diplomatic response.

Russell Marshall chaired the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO from 1990 to 1999, represented New Zealand as representative on the UNESCO Executive Board and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO.

Russell Marshall was a member of the Commonwealth Observer Mission to the Lesotho elections in 1993, and chaired the Commonwealth Observer Mission to the Seychelles elections later the same year.

Russell Marshall chaired the Commonwealth Observer Mission to South Africa in 1994.

Russell Marshall was High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Nigeria and Ambassador to Ireland.

Russell Marshall finally completed his BA degree at the Victoria University of Wellington and graduated in 1993.

Russell Marshall chaired the Advisory Board of Gbool from 2011, and was a member of the Mana Education Centre Trust in Porirua.

Russell Marshall stood as a candidate in the Porirua City Council elections in 1992 but was unsuccessful.

Russell Marshall was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977, and the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal in 1990.

Russell Marshall married Barbara May Watson at St John's Methodist Church in Nelson in 1961.

Russell Marshall died on 18 January 2025, at the age of 88.