not be standing for re-election in 2008, and was considering academia rather than a diplomatic posting. She finished her role by closing the 48th Parliament. In the 2009 New Year Honours, Wilson was appointed a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, in recognition of her services as a Member of Parliament and as Speaker. Following the restoration of titular honours by the New Zealand government later in 2009, Wilson declined re-designation as a Dame Companion. Political views Wilson strongly promotes various social causes such as feminism and multiculturalism, and opponents often painted her as Labour's most "politically correct" minister. She was the Minister responsible for the introduction of the new Supreme Court, which was controversial at the time, as well as changing the law on dividing property between partners after a separation, known now as relationship property law. Wilson, alongside Helen Kelly, were noted opponents of neoliberalism and tried to support the union movement whilst in Government. However, Wilson acknowledged that the Labour Relations Act 1987 was a “an awkward compromise” between neoliberal economic values, and the rights of organised labour. Return to academia After leaving Parliament, she resumed her academic career at the Waikato University law school, being appointed Professor of Law and Public Policy (2009). In September 2020 she was awarded the title of Emeritus Professor by the University of Waikato. Wilson published her memoir Activism, Feminism, Politics and Parliament in 2021. Publications Wilson, Margaret (1986) Working for Change In Clark, Margaret (ed). Beyond Expectations: fourteen New Zealand women write about their lives. Allen & Unwin. pp. 155–166. Wilson, Margaret (1989) Labour in government, 1984-1987. Allen and Unwin/Port Nicholson Press, Wellington. ISBN 9780046410490 Wilson, Margaret (2021) Activism, Feminism, Politics and Parliament. Bridget Williams Books, Wellington. ISBN 9781988587844 References External links Page on Parliamentary Website |- |- |- 1947 births Attorneys-General of New Zealand Members of the Cabinet of New Zealand New Zealand Labour Party MPs 20th-century New Zealand lawyers Women government ministers of New Zealand People from Gisborne, New Zealand Speakers of the New Zealand House of Representatives Members of the New Zealand House of Representatives University of Auckland alumni University of Waikato faculty New Zealand list MPs Living people New Zealand women lawyers Distinguished Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit 21st-century New Zealand politicians 21st-century New Zealand women politicians Women members of the New Zealand House of Representatives New Zealand politicians with