Who was the first woman Prime Minister of New Zealand?

Jenny Shipley (1952 - ) became the first female, and 36th Prime Minister of New Zealand in 1997. This followed the resignation of the incumbent Jim Bolger, who had lost the confidence of his party. Southland born, Shipley remains the only woman to have led the National Party and perhaps one of the most easily recognised women in New Zealand politics. After leaving politics behind, Shipley and her family moved to Auckland where she became a company director. In 2009 she was recognised for her service when made Dame Jenny Shipley.