George Hawkins (politician)

For other people of the same name, see George Hawkins.
The Honourable
George Hawkins
MP
Minister of Police
In office
10 December 1999  19 October 2005
Prime Minister Helen Clark
Succeeded by Annette King
Minister of Internal Affairs
In office
13 November 2000  19 October 2005
Prime Minister Helen Clark
Succeeded by Rick Barker
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Manurewa
In office
1990–2011
Preceded by Roger Douglas
Succeeded by Louisa Wall
Majority 6,726 (2008)
Personal details
Born 1946
Mount Eden, Auckland
Nationality  New Zealand
Political party Labour
Profession Teacher

George Warren Hawkins, QSO (born 1946), is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the Labour Party.

Early life

Hawkins was born on 15 May 1946 in the Auckland suburb of Mt Eden.[1] He attended Dominion Road Primary School,[2] Mount Albert Grammar School (1960–1963) and then Auckland Teachers' College.[3]

Political career

Papakura

Hawkins was a councillor for Papakura City 1980–1983. He was elector Mayor of Papakura in 1983, and held that position until 1992.[3] He was succeeded by his brother David Hawkins. In 1989, Papakura City became Papakura District as part of the local government reforms.

Member of Parliament

Parliament of New Zealand
Years Term Electorate List Party
19901993 43rd Manurewa Labour
19931996 44th Manurewa Labour
19961999 45th Manurewa none Labour
19992002 46th Manurewa none Labour
20022005 47th Manurewa 15 Labour
20052008 48th Manurewa none Labour
20082011 49th Manurewa none Labour

Hawkins has served as MP for Manurewa since he was first elected to Parliament in the 1990 elections. He served as Minister of Internal Affairs, Minister of Police, Minister of Civil Defence, and Minister of Veterans' Affairs in the 2002-2005 parliamentary term. He has previously held office as mayor of Papakura. Before entering politics, he was a teacher.

Disappointed at being ranked 25th on the 2005 Labour Party list, he withdrew his name from the list, and won the Manurewa seat with a comfortable margin of over 12,000 votes (a similar majority to his 2002 election win).

Although Hawkins was criticised over his handling of police issues, in particular 111 calls, he remained a Minister until he made the decision not to seek a new position in Cabinet after the 2005 election.

In the 2008 general election he again chose not to be placed on the party list, and again won his Manurewa seat. However his majority was cut by more than half.[4]

In the 2013 New Year Honours, Hawkins was made a Companion of the Queen's Service Order, for services as a Member of Parliament.[5]

Return to local body politics

After stepping down from Parliament in 2011, Hawkins was subsequently elected to the newly merged Auckland Council under the Manurewa Action Team ticket.

Political offices
Preceded by
Jack Farrell
Mayor of Papakura
1983–1992
Succeeded by
David Hawkins
New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by
Roger Douglas
Member of Parliament for Manurewa
1990–2011
Succeeded by
Louisa Wall

References

  1. Temple, Philip (1994). Temple’s Guide to the 44th New Zealand Parliament. Dunedin: McIndoe Publishers. p. 68. ISBN 0 86868 159 8.
  2. "Who am I?". TVNZ. Retrieved 21 October 2010.
  3. 1 2 "Hon George Hawkins". New Zealand Parliament. Retrieved 20 October 2010.
  4. Manurewa results 2008.
  5. New Year Honours List 2013. Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Retrieved 1 January 2013.

External links

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