Mark Blumsky
Encyclopedia
Mark Herbert Blumsky QSO
(born 1957) is a New Zealand
politician. He was Mayor of Wellington
from 1995 to 2001, and Member of Parliament
for the National Party
from 2005 to 2008. Blumsky is of Polish and Jewish origin.
In September 2010, Blumsky was appointed New Zealand's High Commissioner
to Niue
, replacing acting High Commissioner John Bryan
.
in 1995 and re-elected in 1998. One of his main policies during the 1995 election campaign was that he would not allow the council to sell its shares in the recently privatised Capital Power. However during his first term in office Blumsky controversially agreed to sell the council's stake in the company, citing commercially sensitive information. The remainder of his mayoralty focused on building Wellington's image as an exciting and diverse city to visit and to live in. He was also the inaugural Patron of the Wellington Gay Business group GAP. Among other things, he developed Totally Wellington (the regional tourism promoter), established the Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency, and established infrastructure for the film industry.
Financial problems at Mischief Shoes, subsequent to his entering politics, prompted questions from critics and the media about whether he was responsible.
He took pride in living in an inner-city apartment and going out on the town in the evenings. A long-running saga was his good-humoured battle with well-known Courtenay Place busker 'Kenny', a cowboy hat-wearing country music singer whose amplifier was confiscated by the council after the volume annoyed other city apartment-dwellers.
Mark Blumsky retired in 2001 and endorsed then deputy mayor Kerry Prendergast
as his successor. She went on to win the mayoralty in 2001 and was re-elected in 2004 and 2007.
The Lord of the Rings trilogy and managed the marketing of The Lord of the Rings collectibles for Weta Workshop
. During the shooting of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
he took an active role, and was persuaded to throw the severed heads over a set wall onto a group of Knights. The results of which can be seen in the film during the build up to the battle at Gondor
.
From September 2002 to July 2004 he was founding director of Creative HQ, a business incubator for high-growth export-oriented start-ups. From August 2004 to May 2005 he was director (sales and marketing) for Norsewear, an iconic New Zealand clothing company with a multi-million dollar turnover. Mark Blumsky was made a member of the Queen's Service Order for Public Service in the Queen's Birthday Golden Jubilee Honours in 2002.
In early 2004 Mark Blumsky joined United Future at the urging of its leader Peter Dunne
, an old school friend. Blumsky, dubbed by media the man with "the most charismatic eyebrows in politics", served as Party President and confirmed he was considering running for Parliament for the party. However, he resigned soon afterwards, citing a conflict of interest.
In October 2004, Blumsky announced that he would seek the National Party
candidacy for the Wellington Central electorate
, and was nominated unopposed in November. In June 2005 the National Party released its party list for the elections later that year and Blumsky was ranked 36.
His campaign was marred by an incident in which he received a black eye and other abrasions when returning home late at night. He said he did not recall the incident but believed he had been assaulted. Political opponents suggested he had been inebriated, and a witness reported that he was inebriated when she helped him to his door. Police investigated but no assailant was charged.
Blumksy was elected as a National list MP in the 2005 general election
although his challenge to incumbent Wellington Central MP Marian Hobbs
was unsuccessful, losing by 6,180 votes. In 2007, he announced that he would not stand again in the next election.
In September 2010 he was appointed high commissioner
to Niue
.
Queen's Service Order
The Queen's Service Order was established by Queen Elizabeth II on 13 March 1975, awarded by the government of New Zealand "for valuable voluntary service to the community or meritorious and faithful services to the Crown or similar services within the public sector, whether in elected or...
(born 1957) is a 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...
politician. He was Mayor of Wellington
Mayor of Wellington
The Mayor of Wellington is the head of the municipal government of Wellington, New Zealand, and presides over the Wellington City Council. The Mayor of Wellington administers only Wellington City itself — other municipalities in adjacent areas of the Wellington Region such as Lower Hutt, Upper...
from 1995 to 2001, and Member of Parliament
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,...
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:...
from 2005 to 2008. Blumsky is of Polish and Jewish origin.
In September 2010, Blumsky was appointed New Zealand's High Commissioner
High Commissioner
High Commissioner is the title of various high-ranking, special executive positions held by a commission of appointment.The English term is also used to render various equivalent titles in other languages.-Bilateral diplomacy:...
to Niue
Niue
Niue , is an island country in the South Pacific Ocean. It is commonly known as the "Rock of Polynesia", and inhabitants of the island call it "the Rock" for short. Niue is northeast of New Zealand in a triangle between Tonga to the southwest, the Samoas to the northwest, and the Cook Islands to...
, replacing acting High Commissioner John Bryan
John Bryan (diplomat)
John Bryan is a career diplomat who was appointed by the New Zealand foreign minister to the office of High Commissioner of the Cook Islands on 6 September 2005. Bryan had previously served as High Commissioner of Niue...
.
Life before politics
Blumsky started work at Hannah's Footwear Company in 1976 aged 17. He progressed from salesperson, to merchandise manager, to footwear buyer, to national sales manager. In 1989 he founded Mischief Shoes, which grew into a nationwide multi-million dollar chain. In 1995 he left to enter politics.Mayor of Wellington
Mark Blumsky was elected mayor of WellingtonMayor of Wellington
The Mayor of Wellington is the head of the municipal government of Wellington, New Zealand, and presides over the Wellington City Council. The Mayor of Wellington administers only Wellington City itself — other municipalities in adjacent areas of the Wellington Region such as Lower Hutt, Upper...
in 1995 and re-elected in 1998. One of his main policies during the 1995 election campaign was that he would not allow the council to sell its shares in the recently privatised Capital Power. However during his first term in office Blumsky controversially agreed to sell the council's stake in the company, citing commercially sensitive information. The remainder of his mayoralty focused on building Wellington's image as an exciting and diverse city to visit and to live in. He was also the inaugural Patron of the Wellington Gay Business group GAP. Among other things, he developed Totally Wellington (the regional tourism promoter), established the Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency, and established infrastructure for the film industry.
Financial problems at Mischief Shoes, subsequent to his entering politics, prompted questions from critics and the media about whether he was responsible.
He took pride in living in an inner-city apartment and going out on the town in the evenings. A long-running saga was his good-humoured battle with well-known Courtenay Place busker 'Kenny', a cowboy hat-wearing country music singer whose amplifier was confiscated by the council after the volume annoyed other city apartment-dwellers.
Mark Blumsky retired in 2001 and endorsed then deputy mayor Kerry Prendergast
Kerry Prendergast
Kerry Leigh Prendergast, CNZM was the 33rd Mayor of Wellington . She was the second woman to serve as Mayor of Wellington, succeeding Mark Blumsky.-Before politics:...
as his successor. She went on to win the mayoralty in 2001 and was re-elected in 2004 and 2007.
In between politics
After leaving office, Blumsky returned to business life. From October 2001 to September 2002 he co-ordinated the highly successful Wellington premieres of the first two movies in Peter Jackson'sPeter Jackson
Sir Peter Robert Jackson, KNZM is a New Zealand film director, producer, actor, and screenwriter, known for his The Lord of the Rings film trilogy , adapted from the novel by J. R. R...
The Lord of the Rings trilogy and managed the marketing of The Lord of the Rings collectibles for Weta Workshop
Weta Workshop
Weta Workshop is a special effects and prop company based in Miramar, New Zealand, producing effects for television and film.Founded in 1987 by Richard Taylor and Tania Rodger as RT Effects, Weta Workshop has produced creatures and makeup effects for the TV series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys...
. During the shooting of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is a 2003 epic fantasy-drama film directed by Peter Jackson that is based on the second and third volumes of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings...
he took an active role, and was persuaded to throw the severed heads over a set wall onto a group of Knights. The results of which can be seen in the film during the build up to the battle at Gondor
Gondor
Gondor is a fictional kingdom in J. R. R. Tolkien's writings, described as the greatest realm of Men in the west of Middle-earth by the end of the Third Age. The third volume of The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, is concerned with the events in Gondor during the War of the Ring and with...
.
From September 2002 to July 2004 he was founding director of Creative HQ, a business incubator for high-growth export-oriented start-ups. From August 2004 to May 2005 he was director (sales and marketing) for Norsewear, an iconic New Zealand clothing company with a multi-million dollar turnover. Mark Blumsky was made a member of the Queen's Service Order for Public Service in the Queen's Birthday Golden Jubilee Honours in 2002.
Member of Parliament
| Parl. | Electorate | List Pos. | Party |
| 48th 48th New Zealand Parliament The 48th New Zealand Parliament was a term of the Parliament of New Zealand. Its composition was determined at a general election held on 17 September 2005. The new parliament met for the first time on 7 November 2005... |
List | 36 | National 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:... |
In early 2004 Mark Blumsky joined United Future at the urging of its leader Peter Dunne
Peter Dunne
Peter Dunne is a New Zealand politician and Member of Parliament who leads the United Future political party. He has served as a Cabinet minister in governments dominated by the centre-left Labour Party as well as by the centre-right National Party...
, an old school friend. Blumsky, dubbed by media the man with "the most charismatic eyebrows in politics", served as Party President and confirmed he was considering running for Parliament for the party. However, he resigned soon afterwards, citing a conflict of interest.
In October 2004, Blumsky announced that he would seek 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:...
candidacy for the Wellington Central electorate
Wellington Central
rightWellington Central is a suburb of New Zealand's capital, Wellington, consisting of the flat, mostly reclaimed land, west of Lambton Harbour and the part of The Terrace immediately above it. It is bounded on the north by the suburb Pipitea and extends as far south as Civic Square...
, and was nominated unopposed in November. In June 2005 the National Party released its party list for the elections later that year and Blumsky was ranked 36.
His campaign was marred by an incident in which he received a black eye and other abrasions when returning home late at night. He said he did not recall the incident but believed he had been assaulted. Political opponents suggested he had been inebriated, and a witness reported that he was inebriated when she helped him to his door. Police investigated but no assailant was charged.
Blumksy was elected as a National list MP in the 2005 general election
New Zealand general election, 2005
The 2005 New Zealand general election held on 17 September 2005 determined the composition of the 48th New Zealand Parliament. No party won a majority in the unicameral House of Representatives, but the Labour Party of Prime Minister Helen Clark secured two more seats than nearest rival, the...
although his challenge to incumbent Wellington Central MP Marian Hobbs
Marian Hobbs
Marian Leslie Hobbs , a New Zealand politician, was a Labour Member of Parliament from 1996 to 2008. She was initially a list MP and then represented the Wellington Central electorate...
was unsuccessful, losing by 6,180 votes. In 2007, he announced that he would not stand again in the next election.
Community involvement
Mark Blumsky is currently involved in the following organisations:- Wellington School of MedicineUniversity of Otago Wellington School of MedicineThe Wellington School of Medicine and Health Sciences is one of three medical schools that make up the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Otago. All Otago University medical students who gain entry after a first year "Health Sciences" program, or who gain graduate entry spend their second and...
Surgical Research Trust, trustee. - Mary Potter Hospice Trust, trustee.
- Wellington Free AmbulanceWellington Free AmbulanceThe Wellington Free Ambulance provides free to the patient ambulance services in the Wellington Region of New Zealand.-History:The ambulance service was created on 9 November 1927 by the mayor of Wellington, Sir Charles Norwood, and initially operated out of the Old Navals boatshed...
, trustee. - St Mary's After School Care, parent representative.
- Karori Sanctuary TrustKarori Wildlife SanctuaryZealandia, formerly known as the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary, is a protected natural area in Wellington, New Zealand, where the biodiversity of 225 ha of forest is being restored...
, trustee. - BrewNZ, director.
- Cuba Street CarnivalCuba Street CarnivalThe Cuba Street Carnival is a major street parade and creative celebration in Cuba Street, Wellington, New Zealand.Founded by Chris Morley-Hall in 1998, the festival involves hundreds of artists, performers, and a weekend audience of over 125,000...
, trustee. - New Zealand Incubation Association, director.
- Samuel Marsden Collegiate SchoolSamuel Marsden Collegiate SchoolSamuel Marsden Collegiate School is located in the Wellington suburb of Karori in New Zealand. It has a socio-economic decile of 10 and provides private preschool to year 13 education for girls, but with co-educational kindergarten facilities...
Board of Management, board member. - Wellington Streetrace Supporters Club, president.
- Wellington Foundation, trustee.
- Creative HQ and Fashion HQ, board member.
- Board member and mentor to three startup businesses.
In September 2010 he was appointed high commissioner
High Commissioner
High Commissioner is the title of various high-ranking, special executive positions held by a commission of appointment.The English term is also used to render various equivalent titles in other languages.-Bilateral diplomacy:...
to Niue
Niue
Niue , is an island country in the South Pacific Ocean. It is commonly known as the "Rock of Polynesia", and inhabitants of the island call it "the Rock" for short. Niue is northeast of New Zealand in a triangle between Tonga to the southwest, the Samoas to the northwest, and the Cook Islands to...
.
External links
- Candidate profile on National PartyNew Zealand National PartyThe 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:...
website.