Doug Graham

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Sir Douglas Arthur Montrose "Doug" Graham KNZM (12 January 1942 - ) is a former New Zealand politician. He was an MP from 1984 to 1999, representing the National Party.

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[edit] Early life

Graham was born in Auckland, and attended Southwell School and Auckland Grammar School. He obtained an LLB from the University of Auckland and became a lawyer, establishing his own practice in 1968. From 1973 to 1983, he lectured in legal ethics at the University of Auckland.

[edit] Member of Parliament

Graham was elected to Parliament in the 1984 elections as MP for the Auckland electorate of Remuera.

[edit] Cabinet Minister

When the National Party won the 1990 elections, Graham was appointed to Cabinet, becoming Minister of Justice, Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control, and Minister of Cultural Affairs. In 1991, he became Minister in Charge of Treaty Negotiations, perhaps his most prominent role. He was widely praised by both Pākehā and Māori for his work on numerous Treaty settlements, although opponents of the process have voiced criticisms of his policies. Later, Graham also became Attorney General and Minister for Courts. In the 1996 elections, when the Remuera seat was abolished, Graham became a list MP. He was ranked sixth on National's party list, a relatively high placing.

[edit] Life after politics

He retired from politics at the 1999 elections.

He was made a Knight Companion in the New Zealand Order of Merit on 31 December 1998.