Catherine Judd
Encyclopedia
Catherine Isaac, formerly Catherine Judd (born c.1950), is a past president of the New Zealand
political party ACT, and managing director of Awaroa Partners. She was formerly director of JM Communications. She married former Business Roundtable director Roger Kerr
in 2010.
and completed a BA in English and Languages at the University of Canterbury
in 1970.
She worked for four years as a communications consultant to the New Zealand Treasury, the GST Launch Team and various ministers of the crown.
Prior to that, Isaac worked for three years as a public relations and communications consultant for a Washington DC consultancy. She spent three years working as a current affairs journalist for Television New Zealand
and four years in documentary film production with the New Zealand National Film Unit.
Isaac was a member of the Board of the Wellington Community Trust from 1999 to 2003.
She was a founding director of the St Lukes' Group from 1993 to 1996. From 1990 to 1994 she was a Trustee of the Royal New Zealand Ballet
. From 1995 to 2001 she served on the Board of Trustees of Wellington College
.
and Derek Quigley
. A key feature of her presidency was the Liberal Project, which was designed to focus the party on its classical liberal roots.
Isaac was one of a handful of people that Richard Prebble
confided in prior to announcing to the ACT caucus on 27 April 2004 that he intended to retire as leader of the party.http://www.act.org.nz/news-article.aspx/25571 Isaac oversaw the membership primary http://www.act.org.nz/news-article.aspx/25619 that the party ran to assist in selecting a new leader. Rodney Hide
was selected following the primary http://www.act.org.nz/news-article.aspx/25767 and a caucus vote http://www.act.org.nz/news-article.aspx/25764.
Isaac announced publicly in January 2006 that she would not be standing for re-election as party president.http://www.act.org.nz/news-article.aspx/27501 She stepped down at the March 2006 annual conference and was replaced by Hamilton businessman Garry Mallett
.
newspapers speculated that Isaac would run for the mayoralty of Wellington
in 2007, however, this did not occur.
Isaac is standing for parliament in the 2011 election
. She is ranked second on ACT's party list, but is not standing as an electorate candidate because of her husband's illness.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
political party ACT, and managing director of Awaroa Partners. She was formerly director of JM Communications. She married former Business Roundtable director Roger Kerr
Roger Kerr
Roger Lawrence Kerr, CNZM , a public policy and business leader, was the executive director of the New Zealand Business Roundtable, a free-market think-tank based in Wellington, New Zealand.-Career:...
in 2010.
Early life
Isaac was raised in ChristchurchChristchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
and completed a BA in English and Languages at the University of Canterbury
University of Canterbury
The University of Canterbury , New Zealand's second-oldest university, operates its main campus in the suburb of Ilam in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand...
in 1970.
Career prior to presidency of ACT New Zealand
Isaac was communications and public affairs manager for the National Provident Fund through its extensive restructuring from 1988 to 1991. In the 18 month lead-up to the completion of the NPF tender process Isaac was also General Manager, Regional Operations, responsible for management of six regional offices and five branch offices.She worked for four years as a communications consultant to the New Zealand Treasury, the GST Launch Team and various ministers of the crown.
Prior to that, Isaac worked for three years as a public relations and communications consultant for a Washington DC consultancy. She spent three years working as a current affairs journalist for Television New Zealand
Television New Zealand
Television New Zealand, more commonly referred to, and stylized as TVNZ, is a government-owned corporation television network broadcasting in New Zealand and parts of the Pacific. It operates TV1, TV2, TVNZ7, TVNZ Heartland, TVNZ U and new media services....
and four years in documentary film production with the New Zealand National Film Unit.
Isaac was a member of the Board of the Wellington Community Trust from 1999 to 2003.
She was a founding director of the St Lukes' Group from 1993 to 1996. From 1990 to 1994 she was a Trustee of the Royal New Zealand Ballet
Royal New Zealand Ballet
The Royal New Zealand Ballet is based in Wellington, New Zealand.The Royal New Zealand Ballet is a company of 32 dynamic dancers, performing an eclectic repertoire of outstanding dance, for national and international audiences, whilst continuing to build a style that is ultimately unique to the...
. From 1995 to 2001 she served on the Board of Trustees of Wellington College
Wellington College (New Zealand)
Wellington College is a state secondary school for boys in Mount Victoria in Wellington, New Zealand.-History:Wellington College opened in 1867 as Wellington Grammar School in Woodward Street, though Sir George Grey gave the school a deed of endowment in 1853. In 1874 it opened at its present...
.
Presidency of ACT New Zealand, 2001–2006
Isaac was elected President of ACT New Zealand in March 2001. Her bid for the presidency was support by the founders of ACT, Sir Roger DouglasRoger Douglas
Sir Roger Owen Douglas , is a New Zealand politician who formerly served as a senior New Zealand Labour Party Cabinet minister. He became arguably best-known for his prominent role in the radical economic restructuring undertaken by the Fourth Labour Government during the 1980s...
and Derek Quigley
Derek Quigley
Derek Francis Quigley, QSO is a former New Zealand politician. He was a prominent member of the National Party during the late 1970s and early 1980s, and was known for his support of free market economics and trade liberalization...
. A key feature of her presidency was the Liberal Project, which was designed to focus the party on its classical liberal roots.
Isaac was one of a handful of people that Richard Prebble
Richard Prebble
Richard William Prebble CBE, born 7 February 1948, was for many years a member of the New Zealand Parliament. Initially a member of the Labour Party, he joined the newly formed ACT New Zealand party under Roger Douglas in 1996.-Early and personal life:...
confided in prior to announcing to the ACT caucus on 27 April 2004 that he intended to retire as leader of the party.http://www.act.org.nz/news-article.aspx/25571 Isaac oversaw the membership primary http://www.act.org.nz/news-article.aspx/25619 that the party ran to assist in selecting a new leader. Rodney Hide
Rodney Hide
Rodney Hide is a New Zealand politician who was leader of the political party ACT New Zealand from 2004 to 2011. From 2005 to 2011 he represented the electorate of Epsom as its Member of Parliament. Rodney Hide was Minister of Local Government, Associate Minister of Commerce and Minister of...
was selected following the primary http://www.act.org.nz/news-article.aspx/25767 and a caucus vote http://www.act.org.nz/news-article.aspx/25764.
Isaac announced publicly in January 2006 that she would not be standing for re-election as party president.http://www.act.org.nz/news-article.aspx/27501 She stepped down at the March 2006 annual conference and was replaced by Hamilton businessman Garry Mallett
Garry Mallett
Garry B. Mallett is a New Zealand politician. He was the fourth President of ACT New Zealand, a right-wing liberal political party. As of 2010 he resides in Hamilton, New Zealand, and is an owner-operator of a branch of Les Mills International there....
.
Since retiring as president of ACT
A number of New ZealandNew Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
newspapers speculated that Isaac would run for the mayoralty of Wellington
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
in 2007, however, this did not occur.
Isaac is standing for parliament in the 2011 election
New Zealand general election, 2011
The 2011 New Zealand general election on Saturday 26 November 2011 determined the membership of the 50th New Zealand Parliament.One hundred and twenty-one MPs were elected to the New Zealand House of Representatives, 70 from single-member electorates, including one overhang seat, and 51 from party...
. She is ranked second on ACT's party list, but is not standing as an electorate candidate because of her husband's illness.