Dame Jennifer Mary Shipley DNZM (née Robson; born 4 February 1952)^[1] is a former New Zealand politician. She was the 36th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1997 to 1999.^[2] She was the first female Prime Minister of New Zealand. She was the only woman to have led the National Party.

Shipley was born in Gore, Southland. She was raised in rural Canterbury.

Before entering politics, Shipley was involved with several community organizations.

Shipley was elected to the New Zealand Parliament in the 1987 election. She won the Ashburton electorate.

When the National Party returned to power in 1990, Shipley was appointed to the Cabinet of New Zealand under Jim Bolger. She was the Minister of Social Welfare (1990-1996), the Minister for Women's Affairs (1990-1996), a member of the Minister of Health (1993-1996) and a member of the Minister of Transport (1996-1997).

In December 1997, after Bolger resigned as Prime Minister, Shipley was elected as his replacement unopposed.

Shipley was the first Prime Minister to attend the gay and lesbian Hero Parade.^[3]

1. ↑ "Jenny Shipley". Biography.com. Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
2. ↑ "Jenny Shipley". New Zealand History. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
3. ↑ "Pride and Progress-The Past and the Future". Tearaway. Retrieved March 31, 2019.