Peter McCardle

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Peter McCardle (b. 28 September 1955) is a New Zealand politician. He was an MP from 1990 to 1999, first as a member of the National Party, then as a member of New Zealand First, and finally as an independent. As a politician, he was a crucial player in the coalition negotiations after the 1996 elections^{[citation needed]}.

[edit] Pre-parliamentary career

McCardle originally worked for the New Zealand Employment Service, and was prompted to enter politics by a desire to make a significant contribution to unemployment and welfare policy.

[edit] Member of Parliament

McCardle was first elected to Parliament in the 1990 elections as the National MP for the Heretaunga electorate. McCardle was re-elected in the 1993 elections, defeating Labour Party candidate Heather Simpson (now Helen Clark's Chief of Staff).

McCardle, however, found his party colleagues unwilling to adopt his radical employment policies, which were primarily based around the idea of "workfare". In 1996, after being involved in failed discussions with Mike Moore to form a new party, McCardle eventually decided to leave National and join the New Zealand First party, where he hoped to have greater influence.

McCardle was re-elected to Parliament as a New Zealand First list MP in the 1996 elections, also unsuccessfully contesting the Rimutaka seat. In the coalition government formed by National and New Zealand First, McCardle became Minister of Employment, and set about implementing some of his proposals. When the coalition began to collapse, McCardle joined the group that broke from New Zealand First to continue supporting the government. He did not retain his Employment portfolio, but was given other ministerial roles. He remained an independent for the duration of the parliamentary term, but did not choose to seek re-election.

McCardle is best known in political circles for his quiet achievement. As an electorate Member of Parliament he claimed to have knocked on every door in his electorate to defend his Heretaunga seat against a swing to the left.

[edit] Post-parliamentary career

Soon after the 1999 election Dr. Muriel Newman, the ACT Welfare Spokesman, hired McCardle as a consultant. McCardle eventually was offered the role as head of the ACT Parliamentary Research Unit.

In the 2001 local body elections and district health board elections McCardle was elected as a Upper Hutt City councillor and Hutt Valley District Health Board member, both roles he successfully defended in the 2004 elections.

McCardle left his ACT Parliamentary Office role before the 2005 election to write his memoirs.