Janet Hesketh

Janet May Hesketh (née Mackenzie; 23 December 1934 – 29 August 2018) was a New Zealand women's leader. She served as president of the National Council of Women of New Zealand (NCWNZ) between 1994 and 1998.

Early life and education Hesketh was born Janet May Mackenzie on 23 December 1934 in Hamilton, to Lilian May Harris and electrical engineer Eric Bruce Mackenzie. She attended primary school in Nelson, and then attended Wellington East Girls' College after the family moved to Wellington in 1946. She worked as a geography demonstrator and began studying for a master's degree. She also taught at Otago Girls' High School for a year.

Honours and awards In the 1988 Queen's Birthday Honours, Hesketh was awarded the Queen's Service Medal for public services. In the 1996 Queen's Birthday Honours, she was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to the National Council of Women.