A science teacher and education administrator, Margaret was involved in the establishment of the NZ Science Teachers’ Association and the NZ Educational Administration Society.  In 1984, she was elected to Parliament, and through to 1996 her portfolio responsibilities included Research Science and Technology, Internal Affairs, Arts and Culture, Civil Defence and Education.  Between 1999 and 2005, Margaret was Chancellor of Lincoln University.  From 1999 - 2007 she chaired the National Commission for UNESCO in NZ and from 2003-2007 was elected president of the Chairs of National Commissions and consultant to the Director General until 2009.

In 2006, she was elected to the Council of the Royal Society of NZ.  She is currently patron of Rutherford’s Den, chairs the community advisory board for Pegasus Health and leads the Mackenzie Tourism and Development Trust Working Party on securing world heritage status for a starlight reserve in the Aoraki/Mt Cook – Lake Tekapo District.  Margaret was awarded the MNZM in 1997, made a Companion of the Royal Society in 2003 and awarded the CNZM in 2008. 

Margaret has been an Arts Centre trustee since August 2010, representing the Christchurch Civic Trust.