Kerry Burke

For other uses, see Kerry Burke (reporter).
The Honourable
Sir Kerry Burke
22nd Speaker of the House of Representatives
In office
1987–1990
Prime Minister David Lange
Preceded by Gerard Wall
Succeeded by Robin Gray
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for West Coast
In office
1978 – 1990
Preceded by Paddy Blanchfield
Succeeded by Margaret Moir
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Rangiora
In office
1972 – 1975
Preceded by Herbert Pickering
Succeeded by Derek Quigley
Personal details
Born 24 March 1942
Christchurch, New Zealand
Nationality New Zealand
Political party Labour
Profession Teacher

Sir Thomas Kerry Burke (born 24 March 1942) served as Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives from 1987 to 1990. He was a member of the Labour Party, and served throughout the second term of the Fourth Labour Government.

Early life

Burke was born in Christchurch, New Zealand. In 1960, he began three years of study at the University of Canterbury, after which he studied for a year at the Christchurch College of Education. He taught for a number of years in Rangiora and in Greymouth.

Political career

Parliament of New Zealand
Years Term Electorate Party
1972–1975 37th Rangiora Labour
1978–1981 39th West Coast Labour
1981–1984 40th West Coast Labour
1984–1987 41st West Coast Labour
1987–1990 42nd West Coast Labour

Burke was first elected to Parliament as the Labour MP for Rangiora in the 1972 elections. In the 1975 elections, however, he lost his seat, and remained outside Parliament for three years. In the 1978 elections, Burke was elected as the Labour MP for the West Coast electorate.

When Labour won the 1984 elections, Burke became Minister of Immigration and Minister of Employment. He held these roles until the 1987 elections, when he was chosen to replace the outgoing Gerard Wall as Speaker. At 45 he was the second youngest Speaker in the history of the Parliament of New Zealand.

He served in this role for three years, losing the Speakership and his seat when Labour lost the 1990 elections.

He was first elected councillor of the Canterbury Regional Council in 1998 and was chairman from 2004. On 24 October 2007, following the local body elections, he was elected Chairman for a further term.[1] On 24 September 2009, Burke lost a motion of no confidence and was replaced as Chairman.[2] In 2010 the New Zealand Government fired Burke, and the remaining Regional Councillors of Environment Canterbury, two years after the previous Local Body Elections. They were replaced by Government-appointed Commissioners and elections for Environment Canterbury are to be held in 2013. The reason cited for the sacking was due to poor direction, "woeful" performance and governance and an overall collapse of confidence in the organisation.[3]

Outside politics

He was knighted in 1989. He is currently president of the board of Cholmondeley Children´s Home in Governors Bay.[4] In March 2012 Sir Kerry joined the board of the Draco Foundation (NZ) Charitable Trust, an organisation whose purpose is the protection and promotion of democracy and natural justice in New Zealand.[5]

References

  1. ↑ ECan chair re-elected, new deputy, Environment Canterbury Press Release, 24 October 2007, retrieved 9 December 2007.
  2. ↑ Environment Canterbury new chair, deputy chair unchanged, Environment Canterbury Press Release, 24-09-09, retrieved 24-09-09. See also Alec Neill replaces Sir Kerry, The Press/www.Stuff.co.nz on-line, 24-09-09, retrieved 24-09-09. Archived at WebCite
  3. ↑ "ECan council canned in favour of commissioners". Television New Zealand. 30 March 2010. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
  4. ↑ Glass, Amy (28 August 2011). "Happy days in home recalled". The Press. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  5. ↑ "About the Draco Foundation". Draco Foundation (NZ) Charitable Trust. Retrieved 14 March 2012.

Further reading

  • Regional development policy: supporting statement to submission to the Hon. Kerry Burke, Minister of Regional Development [prepared by Canterbury Regional Development Council and Canterbury United Council], Christchurch, [N.Z.]: The Councils, 1986
  • Submission to the review of financial assistance to students: presented to the Hon. Russell Marshall, Minister of Education and to Hon. Kerry Burke, The Minister of Employment, Hon. Koro Wētere, The Minister of Maori Affairs, Hon. Ann Hercus, The Minister of Social Welfare and of Women's Affairs, The Right Hon. David Lange, The Minister of Foreign Affairs., Wellington, [N.Z.]: NZUSA, 1985
  • Burke, Kerry (1985), Labour market assistance measures: a paper from the Minister of Employment, Wellington, [N.Z.]: Employment Promotion Conference
  • Burke, Kerry (1985), A new deal in training and employment opportunities, December 1985, Wellington, [N.Z.]: Dept. of Labour
  • Burke, Kerry (1986), From the Minister: the Minister of Employment Kerry Burke answers questions on the government's employment programmes, Wellington, [N.Z.]: Dept. of Labour
  • Scott, Noel (convenor); Austin, Margaret; Mallard, Trevor (1985), Interim report of Government Committee on Transition Education to Hon. Russell Marshall, Minister of Education, Hon. Kerry Burke, Minister of Employment, Wellington, [N.Z.]: The Committee
Political offices
Preceded by
Dr Gerard Wall		 Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives
1987–1990 		Succeeded by
Robin Gray
New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by
Herbert Pickering		 Member of Parliament for Rangiora
1972–1975 		Succeeded by
Derek Quigley
Preceded by
Paddy Blanchfield		 Member of Parliament for West Coast
1978–1990 		Succeeded by
Margaret Moir