Maurice Williamson
Encyclopedia
Maurice Donald Williamson (born 6 March 1951) is a New Zealand
politician, representing Pakuranga
in the House of Representatives
as a member of the National Party
. He holds several ministerial portfolios outside the Cabinet
: Building and Construction, Customs, Statistics and Small Business.
but spent nearly all his school years in Matamata
. After graduating with qualifications in computer science
and applied mathematics
from the University of Auckland
, he worked for twelve years developing airline planning software for mainframe computers.
Williamson is married to Raewyn and has three children. He is an Honorary Fellow of the New Zealand Computer Society
(HFNZCS).
. He has held a number of ministerial posts, including Minister of Communications, Minister of Broadcasting, Minister of Transport, and Minister Research, Science and Technology, and associate Minister of Health (1990-6). He was a strong supporter of reform of prostitution law
.
His 2005 election campaign saw one of the strongest results for National across New Zealand.
on 22 July 2003, after refusing to curtail his criticism of the National Party leader, Bill English
, who he blamed for poor performance in the polls. After English was replaced by Don Brash
, Williamson was reinstated. Since his return after suspension, Williamson has played an active role in National, and was elevated up the ranks to eighth position in the National lineup in 2008.
, the National Party formed a minority government. Despite his high list placing, Williamson was overlooked for cabinet due to a series of gaffes during the election campaign relating to the party's policy on road tolls. He was given ministerial responsibilities outside of cabinet for Customs, Building and Construction, Statistics and Small Business. One of the major matters under his governance is the ongoing Leaky homes crisis
in the country, which he noted as having the government "stumped" due to its enormousness.
In June 2009, Dr Richard Worth
left Parliament after Prime Minister John Key
losing confidence in him as a Minister over sexual allegations Williamson was made the acting Minister of Worth's portfolios of Internal Affairs, National Library and Archives 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, representing Pakuranga
Pakuranga (New Zealand electorate)
rightPakuranga is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate.It is currently held by Maurice Williamson MP, a member of the National Party.-Population centres:Pakuranga is one of sixty-three general electorates used in New Zealand general elections...
in the House of Representatives
New Zealand House of Representatives
The New Zealand House of Representatives is the sole chamber of the legislature of New Zealand. The House and the Queen of New Zealand form the New Zealand Parliament....
as a member of 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:...
. He holds several ministerial portfolios outside the 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...
: Building and Construction, Customs, Statistics and Small Business.
Before politics
Williamson was born in AucklandAuckland
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...
but spent nearly all his school years in Matamata
Matamata
Matamata is a rural Waikato town in New Zealand with a population of around 12,000 . It is located near the base of the Kaimai Ranges, and is a thriving farming area known for Thoroughbred horse breeding and training pursuits...
. After graduating with qualifications in computer science
Computer science
Computer science or computing science is the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and of practical techniques for their implementation and application in computer systems...
and applied mathematics
Applied mathematics
Applied mathematics is a branch of mathematics that concerns itself with mathematical methods that are typically used in science, engineering, business, and industry. Thus, "applied mathematics" is a mathematical science with specialized knowledge...
from 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...
, he worked for twelve years developing airline planning software for mainframe computers.
Williamson is married to Raewyn and has three children. He is an Honorary Fellow of the New Zealand Computer Society
New Zealand Computer Society
The New Zealand Computer Society Inc is a non-profit incorporated society in New Zealand. As New Zealand's ICT professional body, the NZCS exists to promote education and ensure a high level of professional practice amongst ICT professionals....
(HFNZCS).
Member of Parliament
Williamson is a member of the centre-right conservative National Party, and has been MP for Pakuranga since the 1987 electionsNew 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...
. He has held a number of ministerial posts, including Minister of Communications, Minister of Broadcasting, Minister of Transport, and Minister Research, Science and Technology, and associate Minister of Health (1990-6). He was a strong supporter of reform of prostitution law
Prostitution in New Zealand
Prostitution , brothel keeping, living off the proceeds of someone else's prostitution and street solicitation are legal and regulated in New Zealand...
.
His 2005 election campaign saw one of the strongest results for National across New Zealand.
Suspension
He was suspended from caucusCaucus
A caucus is a meeting of supporters or members of a political party or movement, especially in the United States and Canada. As the use of the term has been expanded the exact definition has come to vary among political cultures.-Origin of the term:...
on 22 July 2003, after refusing to curtail his criticism of the National Party leader, Bill English
Bill English
Simon William "Bill" English is the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Minister of Infrastructure of New Zealand.English entered parliament in 1990 as a National party MP representing the Wallace electorate...
, who he blamed for poor performance in the polls. After English was replaced by Don Brash
Don Brash
Donald "Don" Thomas Brash , a New Zealand politician, was Leader of the Opposition, parliamentary leader of the National Party from 28 October 2003 to 27 November 2006 and the leader of the ACT Party for 28th April 2011 - 26 November 2011...
, Williamson was reinstated. Since his return after suspension, Williamson has played an active role in National, and was elevated up the ranks to eighth position in the National lineup in 2008.
Minister
After the 2008 general 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...
, the National Party formed a minority government. Despite his high list placing, Williamson was overlooked for cabinet due to a series of gaffes during the election campaign relating to the party's policy on road tolls. He was given ministerial responsibilities outside of cabinet for Customs, Building and Construction, Statistics and Small Business. One of the major matters under his governance is the ongoing Leaky homes crisis
Leaky homes crisis
The leaky homes crisis is an ongoing construction and legal crisis in New Zealand, in which many thousands of newly constructed houses and apartment buildings built in the 1990s and early 2000s suffered from severe weathertightness problems...
in the country, which he noted as having the government "stumped" due to its enormousness.
In June 2009, Dr Richard Worth
Richard Worth
Richard Westwood Worth, OBE, VRD, KStJ is a former New Zealand politician. He was a member of the National Party parliamentary caucus until he resigned on Friday 12 June 2009.-Background:...
left Parliament after Prime Minister 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....
losing confidence in him as a Minister over sexual allegations Williamson was made the acting Minister of Worth's portfolios of Internal Affairs, National Library and Archives New Zealand.
External links
- Profile at National party
- Voting record at CommoNZ (conscience votes)
- Maurice Williamson at Times Online
- Executive Government 1993-6: Maurice Williamson
- Executive Government 1996-9: Maurice Williamson