"Emerita Professor Dame Margaret Clark was a trailblazer in Political Science. She was hugely influential in the study of politics, both nationally and internationally. She was a positive influence on generations of students and was extremely generous in sharing her time and talents,” says Vice-Chancellor, Professor Bryony James.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Robyn Longhurst, described Dame Margaret as “a one of a kind, a notable Wellingtonian, who had a huge impact on the academic field of Political Science and on Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington over decades."
Dame Margaret was born in Wellington on 28 January 1941. She completed a Bachelor of Arts at Victoria University in 1960, and went on to complete her Master’s at the University of Malaya and her PhD at Columbia University. She joined Victoria University as a senior lecturer in 1975, and in 1978 she was appointed Professor of Political Science, becoming the first woman to hold this title at a New Zealand university.
Prior to her appointment at Victoria University, Dame Margaret held lectureship positions at the University of Melbourne, the University of Malaya, and City University of New York.
Dame Margaret had an enduring impact on thousands of Victoria University students, many of whom went on to serve in Parliament or in the public sector. Her extensive contributions to teaching at the University include running the Political Science and International Relations programme’s large first-year introductory course in New Zealand and comparative politics for 30 years. She also presided over many innovative undergraduate and Honours courses in political sociology and political psychology and supervised countless postgraduate students.
“Margaret was a formidable presence and intellect in the classroom and was deeply committed to helping students understand New Zealand society and become active citizens in its politics,” says Associate Professor Fiona Barker, Head of School at the School of History, Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations, and a former student of Dame Margaret.
“Her famous first-year course bridged the theory and practice of politics, brought the political world to campus, and inspired countless students. Margaret took real joy in teaching and followed her students' careers with great interest, as they entered public service, academia, or embarked on a life in politics.”
During her time at Victoria University, Dame Margaret organised several conferences, including a series run in conjunction with the Stout Research Centre and the Association of Former Members of Parliament, which resulted in a landmark series of books on the country’s political parties and Prime Ministers of the 20th Century.
Dame Margaret was also heavily involved in the life and governance of the University, including as a leader of the Students’ Association, a staff representative on the University Council, Chair of the Department of Political Science (as it was then known) and Dean of the Faculty of Commerce and Administration.
From 1980 to 1985, Dame Margaret served as a human rights commissioner. In 1993, she was appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George for services to education. She was appointed a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to education in 2006, a title which was redesignated to Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2009.
In 2010, she was awarded the title of Emerita Professor in recognition of her career of valued and distinguished service to the University, the first such appointment in the history of the University’s Political Science and International Relations programme.
In 2012, the Margaret Clark Prize was established in honour of her service and contributions. The prize is awarded each year to an Honours or Master’s student in the Political Science and International Relations programme who has completed an outstanding essay on an aspect of NZ government, politics, or international relations.
In 1980, Dame Margaret married Bernie Galvin, who served as Secretary to the Treasury from 1980 to 1986. Mr Galvin died in 2010.
Dame Margaret came from a high-achieving family. Her brother, Dr David Hamilton Clark OBE, also studied at Victoria University, completing a Bachelor of Science and PhD in Space Physics before going on to a career in Astrophysics in the United Kingdom, including as Head of Space Astronomy at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. Dr Clark died in 2025.
Dame Margaret is survived by her stepchildren Vincent, Susan, Michael and Peter.