Story: National Party

Party women: Sue Wood (1st of 2)

Party women: Sue Wood

Sue Wood was elected the National Party's youngest – and first woman – president in 1982. She had formerly worked as the secretary of the party's Epsom branch and had also served as woman vice-president. Wood's intellect and enthusiasm won her much respect in the party. Her focus on rebuilding the party's right-wing base and rejuvenating the caucus irritated some – including party leader Robert Muldoon, to her right in this image – but her attempts to strengthen the links between executive and caucus were generally welcomed. Here Wood attends the first caucus meeting after her election.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Dominion Post Collection (PAColl-7327)
Reference: EP/1982/2623

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Colin James, 'National Party - Party composition and organisation', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/33895/party-women-sue-wood (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Colin James, published 20 Jun 2012, updated 1 Jul 2020