Grant Thomas (politician)
| Parliament of New Zealand | ||||
| Years | Term | Electorate | Party | |
| 1990–1993 | 43rd | Hamilton West | National | |
Grant Thomas was the MP for Hamilton West for 1990–1993,[1] and a Hamilton City Councillor from 1995 - including as Deputy Mayor. Councillor Thomas was educated at Southwell School and Hamilton Boys' High School.
In the 1990 election Thomas stood for the National Party, taking the Hamilton West electorate from Trevor Mallard. However he lost it back to Labour's Martin Gallagher in the 1993 election.[1]
Thomas was a Hamilton City Councillor from 1995 to 2007, when he stood down.[2][3] Thomas served under five mayors during his twelve years of office in the council.[3] In 2003 a comment about then-mayor David Braithwaite being a dictator prompted fellow councillor Bill Ward to question Thomas' support for the mayor. This led to Jody Garrett nominating Ward in a bid to replace Thomas as deputy mayor. The move ultimately failed, with ten councillors backing Thomas and only four supporting Ward.[4]
In 2005 Thomas claimed that the thirteen members of the city council were excessive, saying "[their] salary is too high for the workload".[5] By reducing the number to ten, Thomas explained that the council could save NZ$150,000 annually.[5]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "MP Gallagher leaves with sense of honour". Waikato Times. 21 November 2008. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
- ↑ "Hamilton city has elected Bob Simcock as mayor" (Press release). Hamilton City Council. 13 October 2007. Archived from the original on 13 October 2007. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Rasmussen, Warwick (27 September 2007). "Long-time councillor says goodbye". Waikato Times (Fairfax Media). p. 3.
- ↑ Taylor, Geoff (22 May 2003). "Bid to unseat city deputy mayor fails". Waikato Times (Fairfax Media). p. 3.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Gill, Mary Anne (4 November 2005). "Too many city councillors: Thomas". Waikato Times (Fairfax Media). p. 1.