Lockwood Smith
Encyclopedia
Alexander Lockwood Smith (born 13 November 1948) is a New Zealand politician
, the 28th and current Speaker of the House of Representatives
. Smith is a member of the New Zealand National Party
, who has served as a Member of Parliament (MP)
since 1984
. He represented first the Kaipara
electorate and then Rodney
, and has held a number of Cabinet
positions, including Minister of Education, Minister of Agriculture, Minister for International Trade, and Associate Minister of Finance
. On 4 July 2009, he married longtime girlfriend Alexandra Lang in the Legislative Council Chamber of Parliament.
in 1961. He has a PhD in Animal science from the University of Adelaide
. Before entering politics he lectured at Massey University
, worked as a television presenter for a children's quiz show, and was Marketing Manager at the New Zealand Dairy Board
.
. He represented this electorate until it was abolished in 1996 during the shift to MMP
. Since then he has been the representative for Rodney
.
from 1990 until 1996 in the Fourth National Government of New Zealand
. During this period he implemented a number of changes to the tertiary education sector (universities and technical institutions). One high-profile change involved a radical increase in student fees, as recommended by the Todd Report, which the government had commissioned to address issues of funding.
As opposition education spokesman in 1990, Smith promised to remove the Labour Government
's tertiary tuition fee of $
1250, if elected. Once in office, he kept this promise on a technicality: he shifted the burden of charging fees for courses from the government to the institutions, who then had to charge even higher tuition fees due to decreased government funding.
Smith's term as Education Minister also saw the introduction of means-testing for student allowances, with the effect that students of middle-class parents became ineligible for allowances until they reached 25 years of age.
In 1996 Smith took up the Agriculture
and Trade Negotiation portfolios: Wyatt Creech
succeeded him as Education Minister. Smith also became Minister for International Trade and for Tourism, as well as holding responsibilities as Associate Minister of Finance, Associate Minister of Immigration (International Access and Processing), and Minister Responsible for Contact Energy
Ltd.
As Trade Minister, Smith spearheaded New Zealand's efforts at the 1999 APEC
negotiations. He successfully negotiated New Zealand's free-trade agreement with Singapore
, which became the NZ – Singapore Closer Economic Partnership
. At the WTO Ministerial
in Seattle, he took part in efforts which later lead to the Doha Development Round.
, Smith held a number of spokesperson roles for the National Party, including those of Foreign Affairs, Commerce, and Immigration. In his role as Immigration spokesman, Smith challenged Mangere
MP Taito Phillip Field
over alleged impropriety in Field's dealings with constituents.
During the 2008 election campaign, on 22 October 2008, Smith made some comments in an interview with the Marlborough Express
concerning seasonal Asian and Pacific workers that caused controversy. Regarding Pacific workers he said that some employers "are having to teach them things like how to use a toilet or shower..." And he said that for pruning trees: "some of the Asian workers have been more productive... because their hands are smaller." Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia
described these remarks as "racist", and the Prime Minister Helen Clark
characterised them as "absolutely daft". Smith later stated that the media had presented his comments out of context, and that he had repeated the views of employers whom he had talked to; he expressed regret at any unintended offence taken. The parliamentary leader of the National Party, John Key
, subsequently referred to this statement as an apology.
, Members of Parliament unanimously elected Smith as Speaker of the House
. Smith has taken a rather different approach from his predecessor, being more active in requiring ministers to provide answers to oral questions.
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Politics of New Zealand
The politics of New Zealand take place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic monarchy. The basic system is closely patterned on that of the Westminster System, although a number of significant modifications have been made...
, the 28th and current Speaker of the House of Representatives
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...
. Smith is 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:...
, who has served as a Member of Parliament (MP)
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
since 1984
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...
. He represented first the Kaipara
Kaipara (New Zealand electorate)
-Population Centres:The electorate is rural and north of Auckland city, in the North Auckland region.-History:The electorate was created in 1902, and abolished in 1946. From 1911 the seat was represented by Gordon Coates , until he died in 1943...
electorate and then Rodney
Rodney (New Zealand electorate)
rightRodney is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Rodney is Mark Mitchell of the National Party...
, and has held a number of Cabinet
New Zealand Cabinet
The Cabinet of New Zealand functions as the policy and decision-making body of the executive branch within the New Zealand government system...
positions, including Minister of Education, Minister of Agriculture, Minister for International Trade, and Associate Minister of Finance
Minister of Finance (New Zealand)
The Minister of Finance is a senior figure within the government of New Zealand. The position is often considered to be the most important Cabinet role after that of the Prime Minister....
. On 4 July 2009, he married longtime girlfriend Alexandra Lang in the Legislative Council Chamber of Parliament.
Early years
Smith attended Auckland Grammar SchoolAuckland Grammar School
Auckland Grammar School is a state secondary school for years 9 to 13 boys in Auckland, New Zealand. It had a roll of 2,483 in 2008, including a number of boarders who live in nearby Tibbs' House, making it one of the largest schools in New Zealand...
in 1961. He has a PhD in Animal science from the University of Adelaide
University of Adelaide
The University of Adelaide is a public university located in Adelaide, South Australia. Established in 1874, it is the third oldest university in Australia...
. Before entering politics he lectured at Massey University
Massey University
Massey University is one of New Zealand's largest universities with approximately 36,000 students, 20,000 of whom are extramural students.The University has campuses in Palmerston North , Wellington and Auckland . Massey offers most of its degrees extramurally within New Zealand and internationally...
, worked as a television presenter for a children's quiz show, and was Marketing Manager at the New Zealand Dairy Board
Fonterra
Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited is a New Zealand multinational dairy co-operative owned by almost 10,500 New Zealand farmers. The company is responsible for approximately 30% of the world's dairy exports and with revenue exceeding NZ$19.87 billion, is New Zealand's largest company.- History :In...
.
Member of Parliament
Smith was first elected in 1984 as the MP for KaiparaKaipara (New Zealand electorate)
-Population Centres:The electorate is rural and north of Auckland city, in the North Auckland region.-History:The electorate was created in 1902, and abolished in 1946. From 1911 the seat was represented by Gordon Coates , until he died in 1943...
. He represented this electorate until it was abolished in 1996 during the shift to MMP
Mixed member proportional representation
Mixed-member proportional representation, also termed mixed-member proportional voting and commonly abbreviated to MMP, is a voting system originally used to elect representatives to the German Bundestag, and nowadays adopted by numerous legislatures around the world...
. Since then he has been the representative for Rodney
Rodney (New Zealand electorate)
rightRodney is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Rodney is Mark Mitchell of the National Party...
.
Minister in the Fourth National Government
Smith served as Minister of EducationMinister of Education (New Zealand)
The Minister of Education is a minister in the government of New Zealand with responsibility for the country's schools, and is in charge of the Ministry of Education.The present Minister is Anne Tolley, a member of the National Party.-History:...
from 1990 until 1996 in the Fourth National Government of New Zealand
Fourth National Government of New Zealand
The Fourth National Government of New Zealand was the government of New Zealand from 2 November 1990 to 27 November 1999. Following in the footsteps of the previous Labour government, the fourth National government embarked on an extensive programme of spending cuts...
. During this period he implemented a number of changes to the tertiary education sector (universities and technical institutions). One high-profile change involved a radical increase in student fees, as recommended by the Todd Report, which the government had commissioned to address issues of funding.
As opposition education spokesman in 1990, Smith promised to remove the Labour Government
Fourth Labour Government of New Zealand
The Fourth Labour Government of New Zealand was the government of New Zealand from 26 July 1984 to 2 November 1990. It enacted major social and economic reforms, including reformation of the tax system. The economic reforms were known as Rogernomics after Finance Minister Roger Douglas...
's tertiary tuition fee of $
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....
1250, if elected. Once in office, he kept this promise on a technicality: he shifted the burden of charging fees for courses from the government to the institutions, who then had to charge even higher tuition fees due to decreased government funding.
Smith's term as Education Minister also saw the introduction of means-testing for student allowances, with the effect that students of middle-class parents became ineligible for allowances until they reached 25 years of age.
In 1996 Smith took up the Agriculture
Minister of Agriculture (New Zealand)
The Minister of Agriculture is a ministerial portfolio in the government of New Zealand. the Minister of Agriculture is David Carter, of the New Zealand National Party...
and Trade Negotiation portfolios: Wyatt Creech
Wyatt Creech
Wyatt Beetham Creech, CNZM is a former New Zealand politician. He served as Deputy Prime Minister in Jenny Shipley's National Party government from August 1998 to December 1999.-Early life:...
succeeded him as Education Minister. Smith also became Minister for International Trade and for Tourism, as well as holding responsibilities as Associate Minister of Finance, Associate Minister of Immigration (International Access and Processing), and Minister Responsible for Contact Energy
Contact Energy
Contact Energy Limited is a New Zealand electricity generator, natural gas wholesaler and electricity, natural gas, and LPG retailer.The company is the second-largest electricity generator in New Zealand , generating 24 percent of New Zealand's electricity in the year ending 31 December 2009, and...
Ltd.
As Trade Minister, Smith spearheaded New Zealand's efforts at the 1999 APEC
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation is a forum for 21 Pacific Rim countries that seeks to promote free trade and economic cooperation throughout the Asia-Pacific region...
negotiations. He successfully negotiated New Zealand's free-trade agreement with Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, which became the NZ – Singapore Closer Economic Partnership
Agreement between New Zealand and Singapore on a Closer Economic Partnership
The Agreement between New Zealand and Singapore on a Closer Economic Partnership entered into force on 1 January 2001. It is the most comprehensive trading agreement, outside of Closer Economic Relations with Australia, that New Zealand has negotiated...
. At the WTO Ministerial
WTO Ministerial Conference of 1999
The WTO Ministerial Conference of 1999 was a meeting of the World Trade Organization, convened at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in Seattle, Washington, USA, over the course of three days, beginning November 30, 1999. A week before the meeting, delegates admitted failure to agree...
in Seattle, he took part in efforts which later lead to the Doha Development Round.
Opposition, 1999–2008
In oppositionOfficial Opposition (New Zealand)
The Official Opposition in New Zealand is usually the largest political party or coalition which is not a member of the ruling government. This means that the political party, while still involved with the political process in New Zealand, they do not have ministers or their supporters in a...
, Smith held a number of spokesperson roles for the National Party, including those of Foreign Affairs, Commerce, and Immigration. In his role as Immigration spokesman, Smith challenged Mangere
Mangere (New Zealand electorate)
Māngere is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Māngere is Su'a William Sio, elected for the Labour Party. He has held this seat since 2008....
MP Taito Phillip Field
Taito Phillip Field
Taito Phillip Hans Field is a Samoan New Zealand politician. He was a Member of Parliament for south Auckland electorates from 1993 to 2008. Field was a minister outside Cabinet in a Labour-led government from 2003 to 2005. Following charges of bribery and perverting the course of justice, he was...
over alleged impropriety in Field's dealings with constituents.
During the 2008 election campaign, on 22 October 2008, Smith made some comments in an interview with the Marlborough Express
The Marlborough Express
The Marlborough Express is a newspaper servicing the Marlborough area of New Zealand. Its headquarters are in Blenheim and has been published there since 1866. It became a daily in 1880 and took over its rivals the Marlborough Times in 1895 and the Marlborough Press in 1948. In 1998 it was sold to...
concerning seasonal Asian and Pacific workers that caused controversy. Regarding Pacific workers he said that some employers "are having to teach them things like how to use a toilet or shower..." And he said that for pruning trees: "some of the Asian workers have been more productive... because their hands are smaller." Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia
Tariana Turia
Tariana Turia is a New Zealand politician. She gained considerable prominence during the foreshore and seabed controversy, and eventually broke with her party as a result...
described these remarks as "racist", and the Prime Minister Helen Clark
Helen Clark
Helen Elizabeth Clark, ONZ is a New Zealand political figure who was the 37th Prime Minister of New Zealand for three consecutive terms from 1999 to 2008...
characterised them as "absolutely daft". Smith later stated that the media had presented his comments out of context, and that he had repeated the views of employers whom he had talked to; he expressed regret at any unintended offence taken. The parliamentary leader of the National Party, John Key
John Key
John Phillip Key is the 38th Prime Minister of New Zealand, in office since 2008. He has led the New Zealand National Party since 2006....
, subsequently referred to this statement as an apology.
Speaker of the House
Following the National Party's successes in the 2008 electionNew Zealand general election, 2008
The 2008 New Zealand general election was held on 8 November 2008 to determine the composition of the 49th New Zealand parliament. The conservative National Party, headed by its Parliamentary leader John Key, won a plurality of votes and seats, ending 9 years of government dominated by the social...
, Members of Parliament unanimously elected Smith as Speaker of the House
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...
. Smith has taken a rather different approach from his predecessor, being more active in requiring ministers to provide answers to oral questions.
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