David Farrar (New Zealand)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is about New Zealand political blogger David Farrar. For the film star, see David Farrar.

David Peter Farrar (11 September 1967) is a New Zealand political activist, blogger and pollster who is also a frequent commentator in the media on Internet issues. Farrar had held many roles within the New Zealand National Party, including Volunteer Campaign Manager for National's Wellington Central candidate Mark Blumsky in the 2005 general election. He has worked in Parliament for the last four National Party Leaders. Farrar was educated at St Mark's Church School and Rongotai College.

His blog, Kiwiblog, is one of the most widely read in New Zealand and receives three to four times as many comments as any other New Zealand blog. In August 2006, former National Party leader Don Brash commented on the blog^[1].

1 Young Nationals
2 Education
3 Internet advocacy
4 Employment history
5 Political beliefs
6 See also
7 References

[edit] Young Nationals

Farrar is an honorary life member of the Young Nationals, due to his many years of service to the organisation.

He survived some media calls for his resignation as National Secretary when he was arrested for his part in a joke press release announcing that maverick National MP Michael Laws had been assassinated and that the Prime Minister was one of over 10,000 suspects. The joke press release was made with the New Zealand Police logo and he was subsequently arrested, although was not convicted of any crime as he chose to participate in a diversion scheme for first time offenders of minor crime. The infamous fax and related media items are now displayed at the Backbencher Bar on Molesworth Street in Wellington.

[edit] Education

Farrar studied at Otago University and later at Victoria University of Wellington. He served on the Council of Otago University as a student representative, was President of the Commerce Faculty and chaired the student representative council.

[edit] Internet advocacy

Farrar is Vice-President of the Internet Society of New Zealand, InternetNZ, and is a frequent commentator in both broadcast and print media on Internet issues.

[edit] Employment history

Farrar is a director of New Zealand Domain Name Registry Ltd (.nz Registry Services)^[2], and owns his own market research firm Curia Farrar is also a member of the Market Research Society of New Zealand.

Previously, Farrar worked as a staff member of the Leader of the Opposition (1999-2004), a staff member at National Head Office (1999 and 2004), a staff member in the Office of the Prime Minister (under Jim Bolger and later Jenny Shipley) 1997-1999.

[edit] Political beliefs

Farrar tends to take a classical liberal approach to politics. Farrar supports a New Zealand republic, and is on the National Council of the New Zealand Republican Movement.