Ross Robertson
New Zealand politician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Harold Valentine Ross Robertson QSO JP (born 22 May 1949), known as Ross Robertson, is a New Zealand politician for the Labour Party. He was a Member of Parliament from 1987 until his retirement in 2014. He also served as president of Parliamentarians for Global Action.[1]
22 May 1949
Ross Robertson | |
|---|---|
| |
| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Manukau East | |
| In office 12 October 1996 – 20 September 2014 | |
| Succeeded by | Jenny Salesa |
| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Papatoetoe | |
| In office 15 August 1987 – 12 October 1996 | |
| Preceded by | Eddie Isbey |
| Succeeded by | Constituency abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Harold Valentine Ross Robertson 22 May 1949 Wellington, New Zealand |
| Party | Labour |
Early life
Robertson was born in Wellington on 22 May 1949.[2] Before entering politics, he was an industrial engineer.
Political career
Member of Parliament
| Years | Term | Electorate | List | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987–1990 | 42nd | Papatoetoe | Labour | ||
| 1990–1993 | 43rd | Papatoetoe | Labour | ||
| 1993–1996 | 44th | Papatoetoe | Labour | ||
| 1996–1999 | 45th | Manukau East | none | Labour | |
| 1999–2002 | 46th | Manukau East | none | Labour | |
| 2002–2005 | 47th | Manukau East | none | Labour | |
| 2005–2008 | 48th | Manukau East | none | Labour | |
| 2008–2011 | 49th | Manukau East | none | Labour | |
| 2011–2014 | 50th | Manukau East | none | Labour | |
Robertson was first elected to Parliament in the 1987 election, representing Papatoetoe replacing the retiring Eddie Isbey.[3] He would hold the seat until the 1996 elections, when the Papatoetoe seat was abolished. That same year, Robertson was then elected to represent the replacement seat of Manukau East.[4] In November 1990 he was appointed as Labour's spokesperson for Energy and Statistics by Labour leader Mike Moore.[5]
In the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand he was an assistant speaker, able to preside when any of the other presiding officers are unavailable.[4]
In 2006 Robertson reported to the New Zealand Police that a marijuana dealer was operating next to his electorate office in Ōtara.[6]
In 2013, Robertson voted against the Marriage Amendment Bill, which aimed to permit same-sex marriage in New Zealand, with fellow Labour MPs William Sio, Rino Tirikatene and Damien O'Connor.
On 6 June 2013, Robertson announced that he would retire from Parliament in order to pursue a career in local-body politics.[7]
Robertson was appointed a Companion of the Queen's Service Order, for services as a Member of Parliament, in the 2015 New Year Honours.[8]
Local-body politics
Robertson was elected to the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board in the 2013 Auckland elections[9][10] and was re-elected in 2016[11] and 2019.[12]