and both the party and Kedgley endorsed independent candidate Ray Ahipene-Mercer, an environmentalist, who won the seat. Member of Parliament Kedgley represented the Green Party in the New Zealand Parliament since first becoming a Member of Parliament as a list MP in the 1999 election until 2011. She won re-election in the 2002, 2005 and 2008 general elections. Particular political interests include health, food safety, animal welfare, consumer affairs, transport and women's issues. In 2005 her Employment Relations (Flexible Working Arrangements) Amendment Bill, granting employees with dependants the right to request part-time or flexible hours, was drawn from the member's ballot. The bill was eventually passed as the Employment Relations (Flexible Working Arrangements) Amendment Act 2007. In 2006 her Consumer's Right to Know (Food Information) Bill was drawn from the member's ballot, but was defeated at its first reading. Kedgley was the Chairperson of the New Zealand Parliament Health Committee from 2005 to 2008 and was the Deputy Chair for 6 years prior. In September 2010 she announced that she would not be standing for re-election in the 2011 general election. She gave her valedictory speech on 27 September. Return to local government In July 2013, Kedgley announced that she would be running for the Greater Wellington Regional Council on a Green Party ticket in the Wellington ward. She won a position on the Regional Council as well as the Capital and Coast District Health Board in the October elections. She announced that she would not stand for re-election to the Regional Council in 2019, but will contest the District Health Board. She was re-elected to the District Health Board at the 2019 elections. As of 2021 Kedgley is on the board of Consumer NZ having been elected in 2013. Honours and awards In 2016, Kedgley received the New Zealand Women of Influence Award for Diversity in recognition of her work towards greater gender diversity in the workplace. In the 2020 New Year Honours, she was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to women and governance. Personal life In 1990 she married Wellington lawyer and former Wellington City and Regional Councillor, Denis Foot, and they have one son. Foot was a Wellington City Councillor from 1971 to 1977 representing the Citizens' Association when he stood down. In 1980 he was elected for another spell on the city council as well as to the Wellington