Ruth Richardson
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The Honourable Ruth Richardson |
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|---|---|
| 37th Minister of Finance | |
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In office 2 November 1990 – 1993 |
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| Prime Minister | Jim Bolger |
| Preceded by | David Caygill |
| Succeeded by | Bill Birch |
| Constituency | Selwyn |
| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Selwyn |
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In office 1981 – 1994 |
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| Preceded by | Colin McLachlan |
| Succeeded by | David Carter |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
13 December 1950 Taranaki, New Zealand |
| Political party | National |
| Relations | George Pearce (great-grandfather) |
| Profession | Civil servant |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Ruth Richardson (born 13 December 1950) served as New Zealand's Minister of Finance from 1990 to 1993, and is known for her strong pursuit of free-market policies (her opponents sometimes called it "Ruthanasia").
Richardson was born in southern Taranaki on 13 December 1950. Her family had a long history in the area, and her great-grandfather George Pearce had served as MP for Patea from 1908 to 1919. Her father was active in the National Party's Patea branch. Richardson was brought up as a Roman Catholic, and after finishing primary school, was sent to Sacred Heart College, a Catholic girls' high school in Wanganui.
Richardson decided on a career in Parliament at an early age, before she even left high school. Sir Roy Jack, a National Party MP and a friend of her family, advised her to study law, which she did. Richardson gained a law degree with honours from the University of Canterbury. After graduating, she worked for the Department of Justice, again following Sir Roy Jack's advice. In 1975, Richardson married Andrew Wright, a colleague from the Department.
Richardson's first attempt to break into politics came when she challenged Sir Roy Jack for the National Party nomination in the 1972 election. His Waimarino electorate was to become Rangitikei because of post-census boundary changes. Besides alienating her from her old mentor, she also created considerable irritation in the higher ranks of the party, which frowned on challenges to sitting MPs who sought renomination. The party was especially hostile when the challenge was made against long-serving MPs such as Sir Roy Jack. George Chapman who chaired the selection said that "The tensions were tremendous, but Roy was finally confirmed as the candidate."
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