Maurice Williamson
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Parl. | Electorate | List Pos. | Party |
42nd | Pakuranga | n/a | National |
43rd | Pakuranga | n/a | National |
44th | Pakuranga | n/a | National |
45th | Pakuranga | 20 | National |
46th | Pakuranga | 13 | National |
47th | Pakuranga | none | National |
48th | Pakuranga | 17 | National |
Maurice Donald Williamson (b 1951) is a New Zealand politician. He was born in Auckland but spent nearly all his school years in Matamata. After graduating with qualifications in computer science and applied mathematics, Williamson worked for 12 years developing airline planning software for mainframe computers. He is a member of the conservative National Party. Williamson has been MP for Pakuranga since the 1987 elections, and has held a number of ministerial posts, including Minister of Communications, Minister of Broadcasting, Minister of Transport, and Minister Research, Science and Technology. Williamson is seen to be socially liberal but economically dry and is a strong advocate of the free-market and competition.
In 2003, he was suspended from caucus after refusing to curtail his criticism of the party's leader, Bill English, and its president, Michelle Boag. After English was replaced as leader by Don Brash, Williamson was rehabilitated. Since his rehabilitation after suspension, Williamson has played an active role in National, and was elevated up the ranks to a mid-bench position in the National lineup.
His 2005 election campaign saw one of the strongest results for National across New Zealand. Williamson is mooted as a potential future Mayor of Manukau City, the territorial local authority (council) that encompasses the electorate of Pakuranga and surrounding electorates.
Williamson is married to Raewyn and has three children.