Dame Margaret Clark: key obituary facts
Is Dame Margaret Clark dead? Yes. Dame Margaret Clark died on September 11, 2026, at age 85.
Cause of death: Dame Margaret Clark's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was Dame Margaret Clark known for?
She was a New Zealand political scientist.
More about Dame Margaret Clark
Born: 28 January 1941.
Place of birth: Wellington.
Gender: female.
Occupation: academic.
Nationality: New Zealand.
Education: Columbia University, Victoria University of Wellington, Universiti Malaya.
Employer: Victoria University of Wellington, Australian National University, City University of New York, University of Melbourne.
Awards: Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George, Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Also known as: Dame Margaret Clark.
Dame Margaret Clark, a New Zealand political scientist, died on September 11, 2026, aged 85.
Born in Wellington on 28 January 1941, she became a leading political science academic and was the first New Zealand woman to be appointed a professor in political science. Clark studied at Wellington Teachers’ Training College and Victoria University College, later completing further study at the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur after winning a Rotary Foundation Fellowship.
She went on to hold academic posts at Victoria University of Wellington and was named an emeritus professor of politics there. Clark was also recognised with honours including the CMG and appointments as a Distinguished Companion and later Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.