Helen Clark quotes

Helen Clark is a New Zealand politician and former Prime Minister, recognized for her leadership and advocacy on global development issues. As the first woman elected to lead New Zealand's government for three consecutive terms, her impact has been significant both nationally and internationally. She has also served as Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, championing sustainable development and gender equality. Here are 33 of her quotes:

Girls can do anything. We do do anything and we expect to be treated as equals.

Helen Clark

I believe I'm the best person for the job. Obviously I'm a woman, but I've never sought election on the basis of being a woman. I've always sought election as the best person for the job.

Helen Clark

Any serious shift towards more sustainable societies has to include gender equality.

Helen Clark

I deeply detest social distinction and snobbery, and in that lies my strong aversion to titular honours.

Helen Clark

We just sent our condolences to the President of the United States and the American people on what is a terrible, terrible tragedy.

Helen Clark

If the market is left to sort matters out, social injustice will be heightened and suffering in the community will grow with the neglect the market fosters.

Helen Clark

Although biodiversity loss continues globally, many countries are significantly slowing the rate of loss by shoring up protected natural areas and the services they provide, and in expanding national park systems with tighter management and more secure funding.

Helen Clark

The carrot is a happy and harmonious society, the only stick is shame.

Helen Clark

Never look back' is my philosophy.

Helen Clark

Marine protected areas, and particularly no-take zones, are very effective in allowing regeneration of fish stocks.

Helen Clark

It's fair to say that, for much of my lifetime, New Zealand certainly was a property-owning democracy and working people, ordinary people, had assets.

Helen Clark

As New Zealanders, we've been in on the United Nations from the very beginning, played a role in the drafting of the charter - it means a lot to us that those processes are followed.

Helen Clark

Afghanistan is one of the poorest countries on earth. Security issue or no security issue, there would need to be a focus on it.

Helen Clark

I have no beliefs of a religious kind.

Helen Clark

Well in the end the world can crank itself up to sanctions, as it has with Zimbabwe, another sad case.

Helen Clark

I think the issue of North Korea is one where the international community as a whole has to work to resolve the crisis.

Helen Clark

Well of course New Zealand isn't anti-American.

Helen Clark

Health and education are always issues.

Helen Clark

I think that generally New Zealand is respected for the positions it takes because it thinks them through.

Helen Clark

Business can talk itself into a blue funk.

Helen Clark

New Zealand's been pretty quiet on human rights issues, which we will be taking rather more interest in, and in international labor issues.

Helen Clark

In the end, there will always be a fundamental difference of perspective between New Zealand and Australia on defense, whoever is in government.

Helen Clark