Woman appointed to Planning Tribunal

Press, 3 September 1982, Page 7

Woman appointed to Planning Tribunal

Mrs Nedra Johnson, of Christchurch, is the first woman to be appointed to a planning tribunal. Her appointment was announced this week by the Minister of Justice, Mr McLav. "Clearly there is a real need in this country for more women to be given an active role in public office, and the appointment of Mrs Johnson has broken new ground." Mr McLay said. Mrs Johnson has been appointed to the No. 3 Division of the Planning Tribunal for three vears. She said she was unfamiliar with the tribunal’s work, but felt quite comfortable about its demands and was looking forward to the challenge. She said she believed she was the first woman to benefit from a women's appointment file compiled by the Government Advisory Committee on Women. Mrs Johnson has been a member of the Canterburyeducation Board for 10 years and is the board's repre-

a member of the panel of residents for the Christchurch Children's Board and has been a member of the Alcoholic Liquor Advisory Council. Mrs Johnson said her public work stemmed from service on school committees. That led to wider interests and further commitments.

sentative on the Christchurch Teachers' College Council. She Ls on the boards of governors of Hillmorton High School and Cashmere High School, and the district committee of the Consumers Institute. She previously was The Planning Tribunal will be her biggest commitment

— she will work on it two weeks out of three — but she hones to stay on the Education Board and the Teachers' College Council. "I will not stay on if I can attend only the occasional meeting. I am an all-in sort of Denson." she said. The No. 3 Planning Tribunal is hearing submissions on the Liquigas liquefied petroleum gas proposal. Mrs Johnson expects to take up her appointment when the hearing ends. Mrs Johnson was educated at St Margaret's College later passing her junior State nurses examination in 1963 and her Endorsed Certificate of Social Work in 1971. She completed the University of Canterbury Certificate of Liberal Studies in 1977.