Chris Auchinvole
New Zealand politician
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Christopher John Auchinvole JP (born 7 March 1945) is a Scottish-born New Zealand former politician. He represented the National Party in the House of Representatives from 2005 to 2014.
Chris Auchinvole | |
|---|---|
| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for National Party list | |
| In office 26 November 2011 – 20 September 2014 | |
| In office 17 September 2005 – 8 November 2008 | |
| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for West Coast-Tasman | |
| In office 8 November 2008 – 26 November 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Damien O'Connor |
| Succeeded by | Damien O'Connor |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Christopher John Auchinvole 7 March 1945 |
| Party | National |
| Spouse | Elspeth |
Early years
Auchinvole was born in Prestwick, Ayrshire, Scotland, on 7 March 1945,[1] and attended the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst in England. He later moved to New Zealand and became a naturalised New Zealander in 1980.[1] In New Zealand he has been involved with the export industry, and operated a company based on the West Coast. He has also been involved in the Uniting Church, becoming a lay preacher.[citation needed]
Member of Parliament
In the 2005 election, Auchinvole stood as the National Party's candidate for the West Coast-Tasman electorate. Despite reducing the incumbent's majority by 5,568 votes, he was unsuccessful.[2] Nevertheless, he entered Parliament as a list MP, having been ranked 34th.[3] In the 2008 election, Auchinvole won the electorate with a small majority beating Labour's Damien O'Connor who had represented the West Coast since 1993.[4] Damien O'Connor regained the electorate in 2011 despite a record defeat for the Labour Party.[5]
Auchinvole is a wedding celebrant, and officiated at the wedding in Parliament of fellow MP Tau Henare on 7 March 2012.[6] He was a strong supporter of the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill which sought to legalise same-sex marriage in New Zealand. His speech in support of the bill during its second reading was well received.[7]
Retirement
On 2 October 2013 Auchinvole confirmed that he would be stepping down at the 2014 election.[8] Auchinvole was replaced for the 2014 election by Maureen Pugh, former Westland District mayor as the West Coast-Tasman candidate. However, she did not win the seat, but later entered Parliament on the list following Tim Groser's resignation. Following the 2014 election Auchinvole has retired with his wife to raise Highland Cattle on their West Coast properties in Moana near Lake Brunner on the West Coast.