Ewen McQueen
Encyclopedia
Ewen McQueen is a New Zealand
politician who is currently a member of the New Zealand National Party
. He was the third and final leader of Christian Heritage New Zealand
, a religious political party
in New Zealand
that is now defunct.
in 1965, although spent most of his youth in the North Shore
(part of the greater Auckland
area). He attended Takapuna Grammar School
(where he was head prefect) and the University of Auckland
. His primary field of study at university was economics
, in which he eventually gained a Master's degree
with honours. His masters thesis was on the topic "A Christian Perspective on Neo-Classical Economics." He currently works as a project manager for the Auckland District Health Board.
in 1998, in which he placed fifth. He also served as his party's deputy leader and finance spokesperson until 1999.
McQueen narrowly missed election to parliament as a Christian Heritage candidate in the New Zealand general election, 1996
.
In August 2003, McQueen was elected as the new leader of Christian Heritage, and replaced the retiring Graham Capill
. His primary opponent was Vic Jarvis, an employment relations consultant from Palmerston North.
McQueen became a Christian
when aged eighteen, and said that his belief gave "hope, meaning, direction and strength." He stated a belief that he was "called to politics" in the same way that others might be called "to be a pastor or evangelist or such like." His main priorities for Christian Heritage were opposition to abortion
and the strengthening of traditional marriage
and family
structures.
In October 2006, McQueen announced the closure of Christian Heritage New Zealand, blaming its demise on Graham Capill's convition and imprisonment as a serial paedophile, although he hoped to be involved with a new conservative Christian political party .
and sought selection as the National candidate in the North Shore
electorate for the 2011 general election
, losing to Maggie Barry
. He also unsuccessfully sought selection for the Epsom
seat.
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...
politician who is currently a member of the New Zealand National Party
New Zealand National Party
The New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:...
. He was the third and final leader of Christian Heritage New Zealand
Christian Heritage New Zealand
The Christian Heritage Party of New Zealand was a New Zealand political party espousing Christian values...
, a religious political party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in New Zealand
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...
that is now defunct.
Early years
McQueen was born in Palmerston NorthPalmerston North
Palmerston North is the main city of the Manawatu-Wanganui region of the North Island of New Zealand. It is an inland city with a population of and is the country's seventh largest city and eighth largest urban area. Palmerston North is located in the eastern Manawatu Plains near the north bank...
in 1965, although spent most of his youth in the North Shore
North Shore, New Zealand
North Shore City was the name of a city that existed in the Auckland region of New Zealand from 1989 until 2010. The city had a population of making it the fourth most populous city in New Zealand prior to November 2010...
(part of the greater Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
area). He attended Takapuna Grammar School
Takapuna Grammar School
Takapuna Grammar School is a decile 10 secondary school located in the suburb of Belmont, North Shore City, Auckland, New Zealand. Established in 1927, TGS currently has a roll of around 1600 students from the North Shore. It serves many communities such as Bayswater, Belmont, Devonport, Takapuna...
(where he was head prefect) and the University of Auckland
University of Auckland
The University of Auckland is a university located in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the largest university in the country and the highest ranked in the 2011 QS World University Rankings, having been ranked worldwide...
. His primary field of study at university was economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
, in which he eventually gained a Master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
with honours. His masters thesis was on the topic "A Christian Perspective on Neo-Classical Economics." He currently works as a project manager for the Auckland District Health Board.
Christian Heritage
McQueen joined the Christian Heritage Party in 1992, and stood as a Christian Heritage candidate on five occasions. Four of his campaigns were in the Auckland electorates of Eden, Epsom and Mt Roskill, but his most successful election campaign was in the Taranaki-King Country by-electionTaranaki-King Country by-election 1998
The Taranaki-King Country by-election was a by-election in the New Zealand electorate of Taranaki-King Country, a large and predominantly rural district in the west of New Zealand's North Island. It took place on 2 May 1998, and was precipitated by the resignation from parliament of sitting MP Jim...
in 1998, in which he placed fifth. He also served as his party's deputy leader and finance spokesperson until 1999.
McQueen narrowly missed election to parliament as a Christian Heritage candidate in the New Zealand general election, 1996
New Zealand general election, 1996
The 1996 New Zealand general election was held on 12 October 1996 to determine the composition of the 45th New Zealand Parliament. It was notable for being the first election to be held under the new Mixed Member Proportional electoral system, and produced a parliament considerably more diverse...
.
In August 2003, McQueen was elected as the new leader of Christian Heritage, and replaced the retiring Graham Capill
Graham Capill
Graham John Capill is a former New Zealand Christian leader and politician. He served as the first leader of the now-defunct Christian Heritage Party, stepping down in 2003. In 2005 he was convicted of multiple sexual offences against girls under 12 years of age and sentenced to nine years...
. His primary opponent was Vic Jarvis, an employment relations consultant from Palmerston North.
McQueen became a Christian
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
when aged eighteen, and said that his belief gave "hope, meaning, direction and strength." He stated a belief that he was "called to politics" in the same way that others might be called "to be a pastor or evangelist or such like." His main priorities for Christian Heritage were opposition to abortion
Abortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
and the strengthening of traditional marriage
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
and family
Family
In human context, a family is a group of people affiliated by consanguinity, affinity, or co-residence. In most societies it is the principal institution for the socialization of children...
structures.
In October 2006, McQueen announced the closure of Christian Heritage New Zealand, blaming its demise on Graham Capill's convition and imprisonment as a serial paedophile, although he hoped to be involved with a new conservative Christian political party .
Later years
McQueen later joined the New Zealand National PartyNew Zealand National Party
The New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:...
and sought selection as the National candidate in the North Shore
North Shore (New Zealand electorate)
North Shore is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for North Shore is Wayne Mapp MP of the National Party...
electorate for the 2011 general 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...
, losing to Maggie Barry
Maggie Barry
Maggie Barry, CNZM, is a New Zealand politician and a member of the New Zealand House of Representatives, first elected in the 2011 general election. She is a member of the National Party...
. He also unsuccessfully sought selection for the Epsom
Epsom (New Zealand electorate)
Epsom is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Epsom is Rodney Hide MP of the ACT Party. He has held this position since 2005.-Population centres:...
seat.
Further reading
- Martin Freeman: Christian Political Parties of New Zealand: Thesis 99/J94: 2001: University of Auckland, New Zealand
- Ewen McQueen: A Christian Perspective on Neoclassical Economics: Honours Thesis: 1990: University of Auckland, New Zealand