Helen Clark was brought up on a farm in rural Waikato, and attended Epsom Girls’ Grammar School as a boarder before studying for her MA in Political Studies at Auckland University. A keen reader and excellent scholar, she consciously rejected the conservative attitudes of her upbringing and was active in student politics during her university years. She also developed her love of music and the arts, and was admired as a loyal friend with a great sense of humour.

In 1981 Helen Clark relinquished an academic position and entered parliament, where she developed a keen interest in foreign affairs and chaired the Disarmament and Arms Control select committee. In 1986 she was awarded the annual Peace Prize of the Danish Peace Foundation for her work in promoting international peace and disarmament. She served as Minister of Conservation, Housing, Health, and Labour before becoming Leader of the Opposition. She was the first New Zealand woman to be appointed to the Privy Council. In 1999 she became the first woman elected as prime minister. Helen Clark demonstrated a formidable intellect, integrity, tenacity, compassion, and intense concern for people.