N.Z.’s first woman Ombudsman

Press, 3 April 1987, Page 24

N.Z.’s first woman Ombudsman

PA Wellington Parliament yesterday appointed Mrs Nadja Tollemache, of Auckland, New Zealand’s first woman Ombudsman. Mrs Tollemache, deputy dean of the Auckland University Law School, replaces Mr Lester Castle, who died last year. The Attorney-General, Mr Palmer, told Parliament it was a very important occasion because the House was able to appoint a woman to the post.

“She is very highly qualified to take on this

important position. She meets the Government’s policy of ensuring that women are appointed on merit to positions of high office,” Mr Palmer said.

He said that it was not intended to change the title “Ombudsman” to accommodate the appointment of a woman, as the term was of Swedish origin and in that country it applied equally to men and women.

English-born Mrs Tollemache spent her early childhood in Switzerland. She studied for an M.A. degree in law at Oxford,

and was called to the Bar in England in 1959. She emigrated to New Zealand in 1960 and began teaching at Auckland University the next year.

Mr Palmer said that Mrs Tollemache, who is married, with eight children, had a substantial record of community service on school committees, in women’s organisations and church groups. He. said the appointment indicated New Zealand was leading the world, as out of 39 countries with a comparable position, only Papua New

Guinea had a woman in the job.

Mrs Tollemache will serve alongside the Chief Ombudsman, Mr John Robertson, a former Secretary for Justice. The Opposition’s spokesman on justice, Mr Paul East, said. Mrs Tollemache had a long and distinguished career in law and was widely respected for her intellect.

“We can be confident that she has the background and ability to discharge the duties of this high office with distinction,” Mr East said.