Sue Kedgley

Susan Jane Kedgley ONZM (born 1948) is a New Zealand politician, food campaigner and author.

Sue Kedgley

ONZM
Wellington City Councillor for Eastern Ward
In office
1992–1999
Preceded byNic Dalton
Succeeded byRay Ahipene-Mercer
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Green Party List
In office
27 November 1999 – 2011
Wellington Regional Councillor
Assumed office
2013
Personal details
Born1948 (age 71–72)
Political partyGreen Party
Other political
affiliations		Labour Party (former)
Spouse(s)Denis Foot
ChildrenOne
Alma materVictoria University, University of Auckland, University of Otago
OccupationCentral and local government politician, author, activist
Websitewww.suekedgley.com

Early career and Wellington City Council

Kedgley was involved with student politics and was a member of the Victoria University of Wellington Students' Association from 1967–1969. In 1971 she stood for the Auckland City Council as a Labour Party candidate.[1] Before entering national politics, Kedgley served on the Wellington City Council (WCC) for 7 years and was the founder and co-convenor of the New Zealand Safe Food Campaign. While on the WCC, Kedgley held the roles of Chairperson, Consultation Committee, 1996–1998 and Chairperson, Transport and Infrastructure Committee, 1998–1999.

Kedgley worked for the United Nations in New York for 8 years and for a decade as a television reporter, director and producer in New Zealand.

Kedgley has written a number of books on feminist issues, and was one of the founding leaders of the women's liberation movement in New Zealand.[2] Her most recent book, titled Eating Safely in a Toxic World, has set the scene in New Zealand for a new movement of 'safe-food campaigners'.

Member of Parliament
New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate List Party
1999–2002 46th List 6 Green
2002–2005 47th List 5 Green
2005–2008 48th List 4 Green
2008–2011 49th List 5 Green

Kedgley represented the Green Party in the New Zealand Parliament since first becoming a Member of Parliament as a list MP in the 1999 election until 2011. She won re-election in the 2002, 2005 and 2008 general elections. Particular political interests include health, food safety, animal welfare, consumer affairs, transport and women's issues.

Kedgley in 2005

In 2005 her Employment Relations (Flexible Working Arrangements) Amendment Bill, granting employees with dependants the right to request part-time or flexible hours, was drawn from the member's ballot.[3] The bill was eventually passed as the Employment Relations (Flexible Working Arrangements) Amendment Act 2007.[4][5]

In 2006 her Consumer's Right to Know (Food Information) Bill was drawn from the member's ballot,[6] but was defeated at its first reading.[7]

Kedgley was the Chairperson of the New Zealand Parliament Health Committee from 2005–2008[8] and was the Deputy Chair for 6 years prior.

In September 2010 she announced that she would not be standing for re-election in the 2011 general election.[9][10] She gave her valedictory speech on 27 September.[11]

Return to local government

In July 2013, Kedgley announced that she would be running for the Greater Wellington Regional Council on a Green Party ticket in the Wellington ward.[12] She won a position on the Regional Council as well as the Capital and Coast District Health Board in the October elections.[13] She announced that she will not stand for re-election to the Regional Council in 2019, but will contest the District Health Board.[14][15]

As of 2017 Kedgley is the deputy chair of Consumer NZ and was first elected to the Board in 2013.[16]

Honours and awards

In 2016, Kedgley received the New Zealand Women of Influence Award for Diversity in recognition of her work towards greater gender diversity in the workplace.[17] In the 2020 New Year Honours, she was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to women and governance.[18]

Personal life

She is married to Wellington lawyer and former Wellington City and Regional Councillor, Denis Foot, and they have one son.[19]

References
  1. "Declaration of Result of Election". The New Zealand Herald. 22 October 1971. p. 11.
  2. "Sue Kedgley | NZHistory, New Zealand history online". nzhistory.govt.nz. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  3. "Employment Relations (Flexible Working Arrangements) Amendment Bill". New Zealand Parliament. Retrieved 10 December 2009.
  4. "Flexible working hours bill becomes law". Stuff. 2007. Retrieved 10 December 2009.
  5. "Employment Relations (Flexible Working Arrangements) Amendment Act 2007". legislation.govt.nz. Retrieved 10 December 2009.
  6. "Consumer's Right to Know (Food Information) Bill". New Zealand Parliament. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
  7. New Zealand Parliamentary Debates 632 4021.
  8. "Green MP to chair health committee" (Press release). Green Party. 9 November 2005. Retrieved 28 May 2010.
  9. "Kedgley sprints to the 2011 finish line". Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand. 17 September 2010. Archived from the original on 18 September 2010. Retrieved 17 September 2010.
  10. "Kedgley confirms resignation". 17 September 2010. Retrieved 17 September 2010.
  11. "Kedgley takes final swing at Parliament". 26 September 2010. Retrieved 6 October 2011.
  12. "Kedgley to stand for regional council". The Dominion Post. 19 July 2013. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
  13. "Election results from around the region". The Dominion Post. 12 October 2013. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
  14. Lovell, Oliver (6 June 2019). "Sue Kedgley will stand down from regional council re-election". The Dominion Post. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
  15. "Fourth Wellington regional councillor drops out of local elections". Stuff (Fairfax). 29 July 2019.
  16. "Consumer Board". Consumer NZ. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
  17. "Women of Influence winners". Stuff. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  18. "New Year honours list 2020". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 31 December 2019. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
  19. "Sue Kedgley". Green Party. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
Political offices
Preceded by
Nic Dalton		 Wellington City Councillor for Eastern Ward
1992–1999		 Succeeded by
Ray Ahipene-Mercer
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