Pauline Wayman was born in Christchurch in 1947.[1] She received her education at New Brighton School (1952–1960) and Christchurch West High School (1961–1963). After school, she joined the New Zealand Women's Royal Army Corps (NZWRAC) for three years.[2]
Gardiner contested the Wellington Central electorate for National in the 1990 election against Fran Wilde, the incumbent of the Labour Party. On election night, Gardiner had a lead, but Wilde won when the special votes had been counted.[3]
In the 1993 election, Gardiner in turn defeated Laidlaw in the new Wellington-Karori electorate.[5] This was the only seat Labour lost at this election, which allowed National to govern with a majority of one. In 1995, Gardiner left the National Party to join six other MPs in the establishment of centrist party United New Zealand.[6] Like all United MPs but Peter Dunne, she was defeated in the 1996 election; she contested the Wellington Central electorate, where she came fourth.[7][8]
Gardiner is most well known for her campaign against drug abuse.[10] She is particularly critical of New Zealand's harm minimisation policy, which was introduced in 1990, and during this time, the country has become one of the highest users of drugs.[11]
Gardiner has three children by her former husband Wira Gardiner. Their daughter Ainsley Gardiner is a film producer who became well known through her 2010 film Boy.[12] She now lives in Whakatāne.[2] She is now married to real estate agent Gordon Fridge.[13]
