Russell Marshall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Russell Marshall
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| 23rd High Commissioner from New Zealand to the United Kingdom | |
| In office 4 January 2002 – 4 January 2005 |
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| Prime Minister | Helen Clark |
| Preceded by | Paul East |
| Succeeded by | Jonathan Hunt |
| 21st Minister of Foreign Affairs | |
| In office 24 August 1987 – 9 February 1990 |
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| Prime Minister | David Lange Geoffrey Palmer |
| Preceded by | David Lange |
| Succeeded by | Mike Moore |
| 1st Minister of Disarmament and Arms Control | |
| In office 8 June 1987 – 24 August 1989 |
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| Prime Minister | David Lange |
| Preceded by | Office Established |
| Succeeded by | Fran Wilde |
| 1st Minister of Conservation | |
| In office 1 April 1987 – 24 August 1987 |
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| Prime Minister | David Lange |
| Preceded by | Office Established |
| Succeeded by | Helen Clark |
| 34th Minister of Education | |
| In office 26 July 1984 – 24 August 1987 |
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| Prime Minister | David Lange |
| Preceded by | Merv Wellington |
| Succeeded by | David Lange |
| 6th Minister for the Environment | |
| In office 26 July 1984 – 17 February 1986 |
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| Prime Minister | David Lange |
| Preceded by | David Thomson |
| Succeeded by | Phil Goff |
| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Wanganui |
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| In office 25 November 1972 – 27 October 1990 |
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| Preceded by | Bill Tolhurst |
| Succeeded by | Cam Campion |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 15 February 1936 Nelson, New Zealand |
| Died | 18 January 2025 (aged 88) |
| Political party | Labour |
| Spouse |
Barbara May Watson
(m. 1961) |
| Relations | Kerry Marshall (brother) |
| Children | 3 |
Cedric Russell Marshall (born February 15, 1936 – died January 18, 2025) was an important New Zealand politician and diplomat. He was a member of the Labour Party.
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Who Was Russell Marshall?
Russell Marshall was a well-known figure in New Zealand politics. He served as a Member of Parliament for many years. He also held several important roles as a government minister. Later in his career, he became a diplomat, representing New Zealand in other countries.
His Early Life and Work
Russell Marshall was born in Nelson in 1936. His father, Cedric Marshall, was active in the local Labour Party. Russell's younger brother, Kerry Marshall, later became a mayor in New Zealand.
Russell went to Nelson College from 1949 to 1952. He trained to be a primary school teacher. He taught in the Nelson area and later at Wanganui High School.
Before becoming a politician, Russell Marshall was a Methodist minister. He served in churches in Christchurch and Masterton from 1960 to 1972. During this time, he became known for leading protests against the Vietnam War. People sometimes called him the "Red Reverend" because of his strong views.
His Time as a Member of Parliament
Russell Marshall was elected to Parliament in 1972. He represented the Wanganui area until 1990, when he decided to retire.
In his first years as an MP, he focused on education. He supported new ideas for schools. After his party lost the election in 1975, he became the Labour Party's spokesperson for education. This was a big step up for him. He also helped organize the opposition party as the Senior Opposition Whip from 1978 to 1980.
In 1983, Russell Marshall tried to become the leader of the Labour Party. However, David Lange won the leadership instead.
Becoming a Cabinet Minister
When the Labour Party won the election in 1984, Russell Marshall became a Cabinet Minister. This meant he was in charge of different government departments. He held several key roles:
- Minister of Education: He worked on big changes to the public education system. He also aimed to hire more teachers to make class sizes smaller.
- Minister for the Environment: He helped create the Ministry for the Environment. This new group looked after New Zealand's natural places.
- Minister of Conservation: He also helped create the Department of Conservation. This department protects New Zealand's wildlife and natural heritage.
- Minister of Disarmament and Arms Control: This role involved working towards reducing weapons and promoting peace.
After the 1987 election, Russell Marshall's roles changed. He became the Minister of Foreign Affairs. This meant he was New Zealand's top diplomat, dealing with other countries. He also became the Minister of Pacific Island Affairs.
After Parliament: A Diplomat and Educator
After leaving Parliament in 1990, Russell Marshall continued to serve New Zealand.
- Working with UNESCO: He chaired the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO for many years. UNESCO is a United Nations organization that promotes education, science, and culture worldwide. He also represented New Zealand on UNESCO's Executive Board.
- International Observer: He joined groups that observed elections in other countries. He helped make sure elections in Lesotho, Seychelles, and South Africa were fair.
- Education Leadership: He was involved in international education. He also became the Chancellor of Victoria University of Wellington. Later, he chaired the Tertiary Education Commission, which oversees higher education in New Zealand.
Local Politics
Russell Marshall also tried his hand at local politics. In 1992, he ran for the Porirua City Council but was not elected. In 2010, he ran for Mayor of Porirua but did not win.
Awards and Recognition
Russell Marshall received several awards for his public service:
- In 1977, he received the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal.
- In 1990, he received the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal.
- In 2001, he was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. This is a high honour for people who have done great things for New Zealand.
He also received an honorary doctorate from Khon Kaen University in Thailand in 1989. This was for his work in community development.
His Family Life
Russell Marshall married Barbara May Watson in 1961. They had three children together. His brother, Kerry Marshall, married Barbara's sister, Colleen.
Russell Marshall passed away on January 18, 2025, at the age of 88.
