Minister of Women's Affairs

Hon Pansy Wong

The Minister of Women’s Affairs is Hon Pansy Wong

Pansy Wong is also:

• Minister for Ethnic Affairs
• Associate Minister for ACC
• Associate Minister of Energy and Resources
• Associate Minister for Disability Issues

Pansy Yu Fong Wong was born in Shanghai, China, and grew up in Hong Kong. She moved to Christchurch in 1974, where she lived for 28 years, and attended Canterbury University, where she gained her Master of Commerce (Honours).

She is an Associated Chartered Accountant and has also been awarded as a Fellow.

Pansy first entered politics as a Canterbury Regional Councillor in 1989, and first entered Parliament in 1996 as a National List MP and New Zealand's first Asian MP. She moved to Auckland in 2002 and won the seat of Botany with a margin of over 10,000 in the 2008 General Election thus making her the first Asian to win an electorate as well as the first Minister of Cabinet of Asian ethnicity.

Her busy life and determination to serve the country would not be possible without the support of her husband, Malaysian born businessman, Sammy Teck Seng Wong. Her interests include reading (particularly thrillers),  walking (door knocking), wine and sake appreciation, travel, and working.

You can find more information at: www.beehive.govt.nz/minister/pansy+wong

The Ministry was established in 1984 and is the smallest core New Zealand government agency, with a staff of around 38 people. See below past and present Ministers and Associate Ministers of Women's Affairs.

Ministers of Women's Affairs

 Associate Ministers of Women's Affairs