The Honourable Ruth Richardson, of Christchurch, CNZM for services as a Member of Parliament and to governance
The Honourable Ruth Richardson was the Minister of Finance in the Fourth National Government, the first female to hold this portfolio. She is known for her pioneering Fiscal Responsibility Act 1994. The range of reforms she championed left a legacy of high employment, strong growth, budget surpluses and low debt. After leaving political office, she established a global consultancy for New Zealand-style public policy reform. She was Director and Chair of companies in the agri-business, information technology, biotech, finance and utilities sectors. She was a Director of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. She is a Trustee of the Christchurch Early Intervention Trust, which provides services to infants and young children with significant disabilities. Ms Richardson is Chair of the New Zealand Taxpayers Union.