Ms Angie Warren-Clark MP has been elected the new Chair of the New Zealand Parliamentarians’ Group on Population and Development (NZPPD)*.

Ms Warren-Clark, a long-standing NZPPD member, was delighted with the appointment. “As a feminist, I am excited to take up the Chair role. I have always been passionate about NZPPD’s focus areas in terms of the rights of women and the opportunities for uplifting and working alongside people in the Pacific and New Zealand,” she says.

Ms Warren-Clark acknowledged the work of the previous Chair, Hon Priyanca Radhakrishnan. Minister Radhakrishnan made the decision to step down from the role due to increased responsibilities as a new Minister. “Chairing this wonderful cross-Party group has been an opportunity that I have cherished," Minister Radhakrishnan says. "A particular highlight for me last year was the opportunity to attend the Nairobi Summit, which brought together governments, politicians, women’s rights groups and youth networks from around the world to discuss and agree to accelerate actions to achieve gender equality.”

The Nairobi Summit, which marked the 25th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development, made an impact on both Minister Radhakrishnan and Ms Warren-Clark, who attended the conference together.

On top of this experience, Ms Warren-Clark brings to the role an extensive background in advocacy, community networks and community service. Prior to becoming an MP, she worked to reduce family violence in Tauranga as a Domestic Violence Advisor and Manager of Tauranga Women’s Refuge.

Under Ms Warren-Clark’s leadership, NZPPD has begun preparations for its 2021 workplan. “I’d like us to learn more about contraceptive issues and supply in the Pacific and hear from people in the Pacific about the impacts of COVID-19 on sexual and reproductive health and rights including family violence,” she says.

In the meantime, Ms Warren-Clark is approaching her fellow MPs to encourage them to join NZPPD. “I would like to see more of our Pasifika colleagues and MPs of all genders join the group to learn and contribute to the NZPPD kaupapa.”

*The New Zealand Parliamentarians’ Group on Population and Development (NZPPD) is a cross-party group that belongs to a global network of parliamentarians. Members influence policy-making and advocate for sexual and reproductive health, the rights of women, and sustainable development in the wider Pacific. For more information, contact the secretariat on NZPPD@familyplanning.org.nz