Kerry Burke
Encyclopedia
Sir Thomas Kerry Burke (born 24 March 1942) served as Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives
from 1987 to 1990. He was a member of the Labour Party
, and served throughout the second term of the Fourth Labour Government.
, New Zealand. In 1960, he began three years of study at the University of Canterbury
, after which he studied for a year at the Christchurch College of Education. He taught for a number of years in Rangiora and in Greymouth
.
as the Labour
MP for Rangiora
in the 1972 elections
. In the 1975 elections
, however, he lost his seat, and remained outside Parliament for three years. In the 1978 elections
, Burke was elected as the Labour MP for the West Coast
electorate.
When Labour won the 1984 elections
, Burke became Minister of Immigration and Minister of Employment. He held these roles until the 1987 elections
, when he was chosen to replace the outgoing Gerard Wall
as Speaker
. At 45 he was the second youngest Speaker
in the history of the Parliament of New Zealand.
He served in this role for three years, losing the Speakership
and his seat when Labour lost the 1990 elections
.
He was first elected councillor of the Canterbury Regional Council
in 1998 and was chairman from 2004. On 24 October 2007, following the local body elections, he was elected Chairman for a further term.
On 24 September 2009, Burke lost a motion of no confidence and was replaced as Chairman. In 2010 the New Zealand Government fired Burke, and the remaining Regional Councillors of Environment Canterbury, two years after the previous Local Body Elections. They were replaced by Government-appointed Commissioners and elections for Environment Canterbury are to be held in 2013. The reason cited for the sacking was due to poor direction, "woeful" performance and governance and an overall collapse of confidence in the organisation.
in 1989. He is currently president of the board of Cholmondeley Children´s Home
in Governors Bay
.
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Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives
In New Zealand the Speaker of the House of Representatives is the individual who chairs the country's legislative body, the New Zealand House of Representatives...
from 1987 to 1990. He was a member of the Labour Party
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....
, and served throughout the second term of the Fourth Labour Government.
Early life
Burke was born in ChristchurchChristchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
, New Zealand. In 1960, he began three years of study at the University of Canterbury
University of Canterbury
The University of Canterbury , New Zealand's second-oldest university, operates its main campus in the suburb of Ilam in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand...
, after which he studied for a year at the Christchurch College of Education. He taught for a number of years in Rangiora and in Greymouth
Greymouth
Greymouth is the largest town in the West Coast region in the South Island of New Zealand, and the seat of the Grey District Council. The population of the whole Grey District is , which accounts for % of the West Coast's inhabitants...
.
Political career
Burke was first elected to ParliamentParliament of New Zealand
The Parliament of New Zealand consists of the Queen of New Zealand and the New Zealand House of Representatives and, until 1951, the New Zealand Legislative Council. The House of Representatives is often referred to as "Parliament".The House of Representatives usually consists of 120 Members of...
as the 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....
MP for Rangiora
Rangiora (New Zealand electorate)
Rangiora is a former New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, based on the town of Rangiora.-Population Centres:The electorate is based on the town of Rangiora and the surrounding rural area, and is north of Christchurch in North Canterbury.-History:...
in the 1972 elections
New Zealand general election, 1972
The New Zealand general election of 1972 was held to elect MPs to the 37th session of the New Zealand Parliament. The Labour Party, led by Norman Kirk, defeated the governing National Party.-Background:...
. In the 1975 elections
New Zealand general election, 1975
The 1975 New Zealand general election was held to elect MPs to the 38th session of the New Zealand Parliament. It was the first election in New Zealand where 18-20 year olds and all permanent residents of New Zealand were eligible to vote, although only citizens were able to be...
, however, he lost his seat, and remained outside Parliament for three years. In the 1978 elections
New Zealand general election, 1978
The 1978 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to elect the 39th New Zealand Parliament. It saw the governing National Party, led by Robert Muldoon, retain office, although the opposition Labour Party managed to win the largest share of the vote...
, Burke was elected as the Labour MP for the West Coast
West Coast (New Zealand electorate)
West Coast is a former New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, from 1972 to 1996.-History:The West Coast and Tasman electorates replaced the former Buller and Westland electorates in 1972....
electorate.
When Labour won the 1984 elections
New Zealand general election, 1984
The 1984 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the 41st New Zealand Parliament. It marked the beginning of the Fourth Labour Government, with David Lange's Labour Party defeating long-serving Prime Minister Robert Muldoon of the National Party. It was also the...
, Burke became Minister of Immigration and Minister of Employment. He held these roles until the 1987 elections
New Zealand general election, 1987
The 1987 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the 43rd sitting of the New Zealand Parliament. The governing New Zealand Labour Party, led by Prime Minister David Lange, was re-elected for a second term, although the Opposition National Party made gains...
, when he was chosen to replace the outgoing Gerard Wall
Gerard Wall
Gerard Aloysius Wall, FRCS, was a surgeon and a politician in New Zealand. He was Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives from 1985 to 1987....
as Speaker
Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives
In New Zealand the Speaker of the House of Representatives is the individual who chairs the country's legislative body, the New Zealand House of Representatives...
. At 45 he was the second youngest Speaker
Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives
In New Zealand the Speaker of the House of Representatives is the individual who chairs the country's legislative body, the New Zealand House of Representatives...
in the history of the Parliament of New Zealand.
He served in this role for three years, losing the Speakership
Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives
In New Zealand the Speaker of the House of Representatives is the individual who chairs the country's legislative body, the New Zealand House of Representatives...
and his seat when Labour lost the 1990 elections
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...
.
He was first elected councillor of the Canterbury Regional Council
Canterbury Regional Council
Canterbury Regional Council is the regional council for Canterbury, the largest region in the South Island of New Zealand. It is part of New Zealand's structure of local government...
in 1998 and was chairman from 2004. On 24 October 2007, following the local body elections, he was elected Chairman for a further term.
On 24 September 2009, Burke lost a motion of no confidence and was replaced as Chairman. In 2010 the New Zealand Government fired Burke, and the remaining Regional Councillors of Environment Canterbury, two years after the previous Local Body Elections. They were replaced by Government-appointed Commissioners and elections for Environment Canterbury are to be held in 2013. The reason cited for the sacking was due to poor direction, "woeful" performance and governance and an overall collapse of confidence in the organisation.
Outside politics
He was knightedKnight Bachelor
The rank of Knight Bachelor is a part of the British honours system. It is the most basic rank of a man who has been knighted by the monarch but not as a member of one of the organised Orders of Chivalry...
in 1989. He is currently president of the board of Cholmondeley Children´s Home
Cholmondeley Children´s Home
Cholmondeley Children's Home a children's home in Governors Bay near Christchurch. Its mission is to provide quality short-term or emergency residential care for children, usually between the ages of 3–12 years, and support for their families...
in Governors Bay
Governors Bay
Governors Bay is a small settlement in Canterbury, New Zealand.-Geography and transport:It is located on Banks Peninsula at the foot and on the south side of the Port Hills near the head of Lyttelton Harbour...
.
Further reading
- Burke's contribution is entitled: "The youthful, united cabinet."
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