Grant Thomas (politician)
Encyclopedia
Grant Thomas was the MP for Hamilton West
for 1990–1993, and a Hamilton
City Councillor from 1995 - including as Deputy Mayor
. Councillor Thomas was educated at Southwell School
and Hamilton Boys' High School
.
In the 1990 election
Thomas stood for the National Party
, taking the Hamilton West
electorate from Trevor Mallard
. However he lost it back to Labour
's Martin Gallagher in the 1993 election
.
Thomas was a Hamilton
City Councillor from 1995 to 2007, when he stood down. Thomas served under five mayors during his twelve years of office in the council. In 2003 a comment about then-mayor David Braithwaite being a dictator
prompted fellow councillor Bill Ward to question Thomas' support for the mayor. This led to Jody Garrett nominating Ward in a bid to replace Thomas as deputy mayor. The move ultimately failed, with ten councillors backing Thomas and only four supporting Ward.
In 2005 Thomas claimed that the thirteen members of the city council were excessive, saying "[their] salary is too high for the workload". By reducing the number to ten, Thomas explained that the council could save NZ$
150,000 annually.
Hamilton West (New Zealand electorate)
Hamilton West is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate.It has been held by Tim Macindoe MP of the National Party since the 2008 general election.-Population centres:...
for 1990–1993, and a Hamilton
Hamilton, New Zealand
Hamilton is the centre of New Zealand's fourth largest urban area, and Hamilton City is the country's fourth largest territorial authority. Hamilton is in the Waikato Region of the North Island, approximately south of Auckland...
City Councillor from 1995 - including as Deputy Mayor
Mayor of Hamilton, New Zealand
The Mayor of Hamilton, New Zealand is the head of the municipal government of Hamilton, New Zealand, and presides over the Hamilton City Council.In the 2010 Local Government elections, Julie Hardaker was elected as mayor, defeating incumbent Bob Simcock....
. Councillor Thomas was educated at Southwell School
Southwell School
Southwell School is an independent co-educational Anglican preparatory school located in Hamilton, New Zealand. Southwell School caters for the academic, cultural, sporting and spiritual needs of 4 to 13 year olds...
and Hamilton Boys' High School
Hamilton Boys' High School
Hamilton Boys' High School is a boys' secondary school in Hamilton, New Zealand. The school was established as Hamilton High School in 1903 but was later split into separate boys' and girls' schools. The school crest features a lion, sash and star, and bears the motto "Sapiens Fortunam Fingit Sibi"...
.
In the 1990 election
New Zealand general election, 1990
The 1990 New Zealand general election was held on 27 October to determine the composition of the 43rd New Zealand parliament. The governing Labour Party was defeated, ending its controversial two terms in office...
Thomas stood for the 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:...
, taking the Hamilton West
Hamilton West (New Zealand electorate)
Hamilton West is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate.It has been held by Tim Macindoe MP of the National Party since the 2008 general election.-Population centres:...
electorate from Trevor Mallard
Trevor Mallard
Trevor Colin Mallard is a New Zealand politician. He was a Cabinet Minister in the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand holding portfolios including Environment, Labour, Broadcasting, State Owned Enterprises, Rugby World Cup and Education. He was also Associate Minister of Finance.-Early...
. However he lost it back to Labour
New Zealand Labour Party
The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935....
's Martin Gallagher in the 1993 election
New Zealand general election, 1993
The 1993 New Zealand general election was held on 6 November 1993 to determine the composition of the 44th New Zealand Parliament. It saw the governing National Party, led by Jim Bolger, win a second term in office, despite a major swing back towards the Labour Party. The new Alliance and New...
.
Thomas was a Hamilton
Hamilton, New Zealand
Hamilton is the centre of New Zealand's fourth largest urban area, and Hamilton City is the country's fourth largest territorial authority. Hamilton is in the Waikato Region of the North Island, approximately south of Auckland...
City Councillor from 1995 to 2007, when he stood down. Thomas served under five mayors during his twelve years of office in the council. In 2003 a comment about then-mayor David Braithwaite being a dictator
Dictator
A dictator is a ruler who assumes sole and absolute power but without hereditary ascension such as an absolute monarch. When other states call the head of state of a particular state a dictator, that state is called a dictatorship...
prompted fellow councillor Bill Ward to question Thomas' support for the mayor. This led to Jody Garrett nominating Ward in a bid to replace Thomas as deputy mayor. The move ultimately failed, with ten councillors backing Thomas and only four supporting Ward.
In 2005 Thomas claimed that the thirteen members of the city council were excessive, saying "[their] salary is too high for the workload". By reducing the number to ten, Thomas explained that the council could save NZ$
New Zealand dollar
The New Zealand dollar is the currency of New Zealand. It also circulates in the Cook Islands , Niue, Tokelau, and the Pitcairn Islands. It is divided into 100 cents....
150,000 annually.