Shane Ardern

Shane Ardern
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Taranaki-King Country
In office
12 May 1998 – 14 August 2014
Preceded by Jim Bolger
Succeeded by Barbara Kuriger
Majority 15,618 (2008)
Personal details
Born (1960-01-26) 26 January 1960
Opunake
Nationality  New Zealand
Political party National

Philip Shane Ardern (known as Shane Ardern) (born 26 January 1960) is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the National Party and represented the electorate of Taranaki-King Country from 1998 to 2014.

Early years

Ardern was born and raised in Opunake, and attended Opunake High School. Before entering politics, Ardern was a dairy farmer, and many of his political activities have been on behalf of the farming community.

Member of Parliament

New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate List Party
1998–1999 45th Taranaki-King Country National
1999–2002 46th Taranaki-King Country 35 National
2002–2005 47th Taranaki-King Country none National
2005–2008 48th Taranaki-King Country 21 National
2008–2011 49th Taranaki-King Country 24 National
2011–2014 50th Taranaki-King Country 27 National

He was first elected in the Taranaki-King Country by-election of 1998, which was prompted by the retirement from politics of former Prime Minister Jim Bolger. He held that seat from 1998 to 2014.[1]

Ardern was one of the driving forces behind the legislation that enabled the setting up of dairy giant Fonterra.[2] He gained nationwide recognition in late 2003 when, having driven a tractor up the front steps of Parliament House as part of a protest against a proposed agricultural emissions research levy, nicknamed the "flatulence" or "fart tax", he was investigated by police for dangerous conduct and charged with disorderly conduct.[1] From 2008-2014 he was appointed Chairman of the Primary Production Select Committee, a role that he held until his retirement. It was speculated by media and bloggers in late 2013, early 2014 that Ardern was one of the MPs likely to retire due to the need for caucus rejuvenation.

Retirement

Ardern announced he was stepping down from his seat in December 2013 and that he would remain an MP until the end of the 50th New Zealand Parliament.[3] Since retiring from Parliament, Ardern has returned to his Central North Island Farms, having been succeeded in the Taranki-King Country seat by Barbara Kuriger.[2] Ardern has also begun advocating again at the grassroots levels for the Taranaki farming communities that supply Fonterra having been noted at several post-election forums held by the Dairy Industry.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 Fox, Michael (3 December 2013). "Shane Ardern to retire". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  2. 1 2 O'Dowd, Sue (2 January 2014). "MP: Tractor protest well worth it". Taranaki Daily News. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  3. ↑ "Shane Ardern to Step Down". Radio NZ. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  4. ↑ "Fonterra Urged to Grow Globally". stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by
Jim Bolger		 Member of Parliament for Taranaki-King Country
1998–2014 		Succeeded by
to be determined
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