Paul Adams (New Zealand)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Parl.	Electorate	List Pos.	Party
47th	List	8	United Future

Paul Adams is a former politician and former rally driver from New Zealand.

Adams was originally a carpenter, but later established a business making outdoor playground equipment. Later, he became a professional rally driver, and won three prestigious New Zealand rallies. He also owns a Kia Motors dealership in Auckland.

Adams also worked at the Pentecostal City Impact Church, and as a result, became involved in Christian politics in New Zealand. After first being a member of the Christian Heritage Party, Adams joined the religiously-based Future New Zealand party. Future New Zealand later merged with United New Zealand to form the modern United Future New Zealand group, which Adams remained a member of until 2005. In the 2002 elections, Adams was ranked ninth on the United Future party list. Thanks to the unexpectedly strong performance of United Future, the party gained enough votes for eight seats, leaving Adams just outside Parliament. Later, Kelly Chal, a higher-ranked candidate, was forced to withdraw because she did not have New Zealand citizenship, which she had not realised was necessary. Adams, as the next candidate on the list, entered Parliament in her place.

Adams was one of the more conservative members of Parliament. When elected, a comment made in 1993 that people with AIDS should not be allowed to "run loose" was widely reported. He also spoke out about subjects like abortion, and went on a hunger strike to oppose the civil unions legislation, which was passed regardless.

On 15 August 2005 Adams left United Future to stand as an independent in the East Coast Bays electorate. He was unsuccessful, placing third.

Adams is now a real estate agent for Barfoot and Thompson in and around Auckland.