Ann Hercus

The Honourable Dame Ann Hercus DCMG
Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Lyttelton
In office 1978 – 1987
Preceded by	Colleen Dewe
Succeeded by	Peter Simpson
Personal details
Born	Margaret Ann Sayers 24 February 1942 Hamilton, New Zealand
Political party	Labour
Spouse(s)	John Hercus
Children	2 sons

Dame Margaret Ann Hercus DCMG (née Sayers, born 24 February 1942), best known as Ann Hercus, is a New Zealand politician and diplomat. Her parents were Horace and Mary (née Ryan) Sayers.

Hercus earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from the University of Auckland and a law degree from the University of Kent at Canterbury.

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, Hercus was recommended by Tom McGuigan. Her ability impressed Freer, so he later appointed her to the Commerce Commission and his successor Lance Adams-Schneider made her the deputy chairman.

Hercus stood as the Labour candidate for Lyttelton in the 1978 election and was elected, defeating the incumbent Colleen Dewe. She was re-elected in 1981 and 1984.

When Fourth Labour Government was formed in 1984, Hercus was appointed the Minister of Social Welfare, Police and Women's Affairs. She was the first Minister for Women's Affairs, and also the first woman to hold the Police portfolio.

Hercus did not stand for re-election in the 1987 election, and was succeeded in her Lyttelton seat by the Labour candidate Peter Simpson.

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