Kerry Prendergast
Dame Kerry Prendergast DNZM JP | |
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33rd Mayor of Wellington | |
In office 27 October 2001 – 27 October 2010 | |
Deputy | Alick Shaw (2001-07) Ian McKinnon (2007-10) |
Preceded by | Mark Blumsky |
Succeeded by | Celia Wade-Brown |
Personal details | |
Born | Kerry Leigh Ferrier 28 March 1953 Christchurch, New Zealand |
Political party | National |
Spouse | Paul Francis Prendegast |
Children | 3 |
Dame Kerry Leigh Prendergast
Early life
Prendergast was born in
Local-body politics
Prendergast started her political life as a Tawa Borough councillor in 1986. In 1989 she was elected to Wellington City Council and was re-elected every three years until 2010. In 1995 Prendergast became Deputy Mayor to Mark Blumsky.[3]
She was a speculated candidate for the National Party nomination at the 1992 Wellington Central by-election, but quickly ruled herself out as a candidate, but stated national politics were a "future possibility" for her.[4] In the 1999 general election Prendergast stood as a National list candidate, ranked 30th on the party's list. However, the National Party did not gain enough of the party vote for Prendergast to enter Parliament. She considered running again at the 2002 election, but in 2001 Mark Blumsky announced his intention not to run for the mayoralty again, and endorsed Prendergast's mayoralty candidacy.
Prendergast was elected mayor in 2001 and re-elected in 2004 and 2007. During her time as Mayor, Prendergast instigated the policy of making Wellington the "Creative Capital". She has endorsed changing the Flag of New Zealand.[5]
In the 2010 Wellington City mayoral election, Prendergast was challenged by Green Party city councillor Celia Wade-Brown for the Wellington mayoralty. After the counting of special votes, Wade-Brown was declared the winner by a 176-vote margin, ending nearly a decade of Prendergast's mayoralty.[6]
Other roles
In 2011 she became chair of the
Prendergast was Vice President of
In 2015 Prendergast accepted the role of ambassador for Alzheimer's New Zealand, having had personal experience of the disease - both her late father Denis and her mother Beverley Ferrier suffered the disease.[10]
Honours and awards
In the
In 2014, Prendergast received the
Personal life
Prendergast's father, Denis Ferrier, was also a local politician. In 1970 he was elected to the Tawa Borough Council and in 1986 he was elected to the Kapiti Borough Council.[14] She is married and has two daughters. Her son, Andrew, was killed on 31 March 2011 in a riding accident.[15]
References
- ^ a b "The Wellingtonian Interview: Kerry Prendergast". Stuff.co.nz. 17 February 2011. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
- ^ Who's Who in New Zealand, 2001. 2001. p. 721.
- ^ Murphy, Lyn (28 October 1995). "Prendergast confirmed as deputy mayor". The Evening Post. p. 3.
- ^ "Welch sets sights on Wgtn seat". The Evening Post. 17 October 1992. p. 1.
- ^ NZ Flag.com – Kerry Prendergast Archived 17 April 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- 3 News. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
- ^ "Kerry Prendergast named as EPA chair". Stuff/Fairfax. 2 June 2011.
- ^ Zealand, corporatename = Environment Risk Management Authority New. "EPA Board". epa.govt.nz. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
- ^ "Kerry Prendergast to chair Tourism Board". Stuff/Fairfax. 11 August 2011.
- ^ "Ex-mayor talks parents' dementia". Stuff. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
- ^ "Queen's Birthday honours list 2011". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 6 June 2011. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
- ^ "New Year honours list 2019". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 31 December 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
- ^ "'Don't take life for granted'". Stuff. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
- ^ "Father and daughter on local body campaign trails". The Evening Post. 26 September 1989.
- ^ *"Former mayor ..." Stuff/Fairfax. 27 October 2012.
External links
- Kerry Prendergast in 2000 next to mayor Mark Blumsky (photo)
- Campaign page at the Wayback Machine (archived 13 March 2005) from 2005
- Wellington City Council – Mayor Prendergast
- Farewell statement from Wellington City Council
- Profile at City Mayors