Ross Robertson Explained

Harold Valentine Ross Robertson (born 22 May 1949), known as Ross Robertson, is a New Zealand politician for the Labour Party. He was a Member of Parliament from until his retirement in 2014. He also served as president of Parliamentarians for Global Action.^[1]

Early life

Robertson was born in Wellington on 22 May 1949.^[2] Before entering politics, he was an industrial engineer.

Political career

Member of Parliament

Robertson was first elected to Parliament in the 1987 election, representing Papatoetoe replacing the retiring Eddie Isbey. He would hold the seat until the 1996 elections, when the Papatoetoe seat was abolished. That same year, Robertson was then elected to represent the replacement seat of Manukau East.^[3] In November 1990 he was appointed as Labour's spokesperson for Energy and Statistics by Labour leader Mike Moore.^[4]

In the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand he was an assistant speaker, able to preside when any of the other presiding officers are unavailable.

In 2006 Robertson reported to the New Zealand Police that a marijuana dealer was operating next to his electorate office in Ōtara.^[5]

In 2013, Robertson voted against the Marriage Amendment Bill, which aimed to permit same-sex marriage in New Zealand, with fellow Labour MPs William Sio, Rino Tirikatene and Damien O'Connor.

On 6 June 2013, Robertson announced that he would retire from Parliament in order to pursue a career in local-body politics.^[6]

Robertson was appointed a Companion of the Queen's Service Order, for services as a Member of Parliament, in the 2015 New Year Honours.^[7]

Local-body politics

Robertson was elected to the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board in the 2013 Auckland elections^{[8] [9]} and was re-elected in 2016^[10] and 2019.^[11]

References

• Book: Norton, Clifford . New Zealand Parliamentary Election Results 1946-1987: Occasional Publications No 1, Department of Political Science . 1988 . Victoria University of Wellington . Wellington . 0-475-11200-8.

Notes and References

1. Web site: About Us - Who's Who . . 19 September 2014.
2. Book: Temple, Philip . Temple's Guide to the 44th New Zealand Parliament . 1994 . McIndoe Publishers . Dunedin . 0-86868-159-8 . 80.
3. Web site: Ross Robertson . . 29 May 2015 . 22 September 2014.
4. News: . All Labour's 29 MPs get areas of responsibility . 28 November 1990 . 4 .
5. News: MP reported tinnie house next door to his office . . . 10 April 2006 . 18 October 2010.
6. News: Labour MP Ross Robertson retires from Parliament . Kate . Shuttleworth . . 6 June 2013 . 6 June 2013.
7. Web site: New Year honours list 2015 . 31 December 2014 . Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet . 15 January 2018.
8. Web site: auckland.scoop.co.nz » Voter turnout appalling – Ross Robertson. 2020-10-19. en.
9. Web site: Local elections 2013: Full Auckland results. 2020-10-19. NZ Herald. en-NZ.
10. Web site: Archived copy . 2016-10-15 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20161019000339/http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/EN/AboutCouncil/HowCouncilWorks/Elections/Documents/Confirmedlocalelectionresults2016.pdf . 19 October 2016 . dmy-all .
11. Web site: Auckland Council. 2019 local elections final results.