Pete Hodgson

For other people named Peter Hodgson, see Peter Hodgson (disambiguation).
The Honourable
Pete Hodgson
Pete Hodgson in 2008
36th Minister of Health
In office
19 October 2005 – 5 November 2007
Preceded byAnnette King
Succeeded byDavid Cunliffe
21st Minister of Research, Science and Technology
In office
31 October 2007 – 19 November 2008
Preceded bySteve Maharey
Succeeded byWayne Mapp
In office
10 December 1999 – 21 December 2004
Preceded byMaurice Williamson
Succeeded bySteve Maharey
8th Minister of Commerce
In office
21 December 2004 – 19 October 2005
Prime MinisterHelen Clark
Preceded byMargaret Wilson
Succeeded byLianne Dalziel
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Dunedin North
In office
27 October 1990 – 2011
Preceded byStan Rodger
Succeeded byDavid Clark
Majority7,155 (2008)
Personal details
Born (1950-06-13) 13 June 1950 (age 74)
Whangārei, New Zealand
Political partyLabour
Children2
ProfessionVeterinarian

Peter Colin Hodgson[1] (born 13 June 1950) is a former New Zealand politician of the Labour Party and Member of Parliament for Dunedin North from 1990 to 2011.

Early life

Hodgson was born in Whangārei, and received a Bachelor's degree in veterinary science from Massey University. He has worked as a veterinarian, a high school teacher, and a fruit and vegetable retailer.

Member of Parliament

New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate List Party
1990–1993 43rd Dunedin North Labour
1993–1996 44th Dunedin North Labour
1996–1999 45th Dunedin North 30 Labour
1999–2002 46th Dunedin North 13 Labour
2002–2005 47th Dunedin North 13 Labour
2005–2008 48th Dunedin North 12 Labour
2008–2011 49th Dunedin North 6 Labour

Hodgson joined the Labour Party in 1976, and shortly afterwards became the manager for Stan Rodger's successful campaign in the Dunedin North seat. After holding a number of other Labour Party roles, including that of marginal seats organiser, he was himself nominated to replace Rodger in the 1990 election. He was successful, and became the MP for Dunedin North.

In November 1990 he was appointed as Labour's spokesperson for Science & Technology and Planning by Labour leader Mike Moore.[2]

When the Labour Party formed a government after the 1999 election, Hodgson was appointed to Cabinet. During Labour's nine years in power, Hodgson's portfolios included Economic Development; Tertiary Education; Research, Science and Technology; Health; Transport; Commerce; Land Information; Statistics; Energy (1999–2004); and Fisheries and Forestry. He was also Associate Minister of Health; Industry and Regional Development; and Foreign Affairs.[3]

In 2001, during the filming of The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy in New Zealand, Hodgson was given the title Minister of the Rings, responsible for investigating methods of capitalising on the boom in tourism to New Zealand that followed the release of the films.[4]

In May 2007, Hodgson briefed the Welsh Labour Party's executive on the practicalities of co-operation between Welsh parties outside a formal coalition, after the 2007 Welsh Assembly elections led to a Labour minority government looking likely.[5]

Labour was defeated in the 2008 general election. Hodgson retained his seat with a majority of 7,155.[6]

In opposition, Hodgson was Labour's "chief dirt-digger and mudslinger". The scandals he exposed caused two government ministers to resign.[7]

Hodgson retired from politics at the end of the 49th Parliament in 2011, after 21 years as the MP for Dunedin North.[8] He was succeeded by Labour's David Clark.

Life after Parliament

In 2013, Hodgson was appointed a member of the Representation Commission to determine New Zealand electoral boundaries.[9]

References

  1. ^ "New Zealand Hansard – Members Sworn [Volume:651;Page:2]". New Zealand Parliament.
  2. ^ "All Labour's 29 MPs get areas of responsibility". Otago Daily Times. 28 November 1990. p. 4.
  3. ^ "Hon Pete Hodgson". New Zealand Parliament. Retrieved 12 May 2011.
  4. ^ "Minister of the Rings". The New Zealand Herald. 6 September 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2019.
  5. ^ "Coalition 'non-starter' says AM". BBC News. 13 May 2007. Retrieved 13 May 2007.
  6. ^ Dunedin North results 2008. Archived 11 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ Bennett, Adam (23 December 2010). "Labour dirt-digger may not hit Key". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 23 December 2010.
  8. ^ Makenzie, Dene (5 June 2010). "Hodgson exits politics on 'own terms'". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 6 June 2010.
  9. ^ Collins, Judith (3 September 2013). "Representatives chosen to determine electoral boundaries". beehive.govt.nz. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Dunedin North
1990–2011 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Minister of Commerce
2004–2005 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister for Land Information
2004–2006 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister of Health
2005–2007 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister of Research, Science and Technology
1999–2004

2007–2008 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Succeeded by