Brian Donnelly
Encyclopedia
Brian Donnelly QSO
(1949 – 25 September 2008) was a New Zealand
politician. He was a member of the New Zealand First
party.
, and worked in the education sector for twenty years. He served for a time as principal of two schools.
, he stood for the newly-formed New Zealand First in the Whangarei
electorate, but was unsuccessful. In the 1996 election
, with the advent of the MMP system, Donnelly was ranked third on the New Zealand First party list, and entered Parliament. He has retained his third-place position in New Zealand First's list until his retirement.
When New Zealand First formed a coalition with the National Party
, Donnelly became Minister Responsible for the Education Review Office, Associate Minister of Education, and Associate Minister of Pacific Island Affairs. When the coalition disintegrated, and New Zealand First itself began to splinter, Donnelly was one of those MPs who remained loyal to the party. He was one of five New Zealand First MPs to avoid the collapse of the party's vote in the 1999 election
. After the 2002 election he was appointed chair of Parliament's Education and Science Committee.
Donnelly has been regarded as a social liberal within his caucus, and voted for civil unions in New Zealand
as well as Sue Bradford
's more recent private members bill to remove the provision allowing parents to use reasonable force in correcting their children. In retaliation, current New Zealand First Party President Dail Jones
threatened demotion of the long-serving List MP, as well as fellow repeal supporter Doug Woolerton
. In contrast to other New Zealand First Members of Parliament, Donnelly was widely respected by Members from other political parties.
In February 2008, Donnelly was appointed as New Zealand's High Commissioner to the Cook Islands, and Dail Jones
was sworn in to replace him as a list MP on 15 February 2008. Donnelly was a speaker of Cook Islands Māori, unlike most Foreign Affairs diplomats.
in 2008.
Brian Donnelly died on 25 September 2008.
Queen's Service Order
The Queen's Service Order was established by Queen Elizabeth II on 13 March 1975, awarded by the government of New Zealand "for valuable voluntary service to the community or meritorious and faithful services to the Crown or similar services within the public sector, whether in elected or...
(1949 – 25 September 2008) was a New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
politician. He was a member of the New Zealand First
New Zealand First
New Zealand First is a political party in New Zealand that was founded in 1993, following party founder Winston Peters' resignation from the National Party in 1992...
party.
Early career
Donnelly was trained as a teacherTeacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
, and worked in the education sector for twenty years. He served for a time as principal of two schools.
Member of Parliament
In the 1993 electionNew Zealand general election, 1993
The 1993 New Zealand general election was held on 6 November 1993 to determine the composition of the 44th New Zealand Parliament. It saw the governing National Party, led by Jim Bolger, win a second term in office, despite a major swing back towards the Labour Party. The new Alliance and New...
, he stood for the newly-formed New Zealand First in the Whangarei
Whangarei (New Zealand electorate)
rightWhangarei is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate.National Party MP Phil Heatley has held it since 2008.-Population Centres:The electorate includes the following population centres:* Whangarei* Hikurangi* Ruakaka...
electorate, but was unsuccessful. In the 1996 election
New Zealand general election, 1996
The 1996 New Zealand general election was held on 12 October 1996 to determine the composition of the 45th New Zealand Parliament. It was notable for being the first election to be held under the new Mixed Member Proportional electoral system, and produced a parliament considerably more diverse...
, with the advent of the MMP system, Donnelly was ranked third on the New Zealand First party list, and entered Parliament. He has retained his third-place position in New Zealand First's list until his retirement.
When New Zealand First formed a coalition with the National Party
New Zealand National Party
The New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:...
, Donnelly became Minister Responsible for the Education Review Office, Associate Minister of Education, and Associate Minister of Pacific Island Affairs. When the coalition disintegrated, and New Zealand First itself began to splinter, Donnelly was one of those MPs who remained loyal to the party. He was one of five New Zealand First MPs to avoid the collapse of the party's vote in the 1999 election
New Zealand general election, 1999
The 1999 New Zealand general election was held on 27 November 1999 to determine the composition of the 46th New Zealand Parliament. The governing National Party, led by Prime Minister Jenny Shipley, was defeated, being replaced by a coalition of Helen Clark's Labour Party and the smaller Alliance...
. After the 2002 election he was appointed chair of Parliament's Education and Science Committee.
Donnelly has been regarded as a social liberal within his caucus, and voted for civil unions in New Zealand
Civil unions in New Zealand
Civil union has been legal in New Zealand since 26 April 2005. The Civil Union Act to establish the institution of civil union for same-sex and opposite-sex couples was passed by the Parliament on 9 December 2004. The Act has been described as very similar to the Marriage Act with references to...
as well as Sue Bradford
Sue Bradford
Sue Bradford is a New Zealand politician who served as a list Member of Parliament representing the Green Party from 1999 to 2009.- Early life :...
's more recent private members bill to remove the provision allowing parents to use reasonable force in correcting their children. In retaliation, current New Zealand First Party President Dail Jones
Dail Jones
Dail Michael John Jones QSO is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the New Zealand First party, and was formerly in the National Party.-Early life:Jones was born in Karachi, Pakistan, and attended Karachi Grammar School...
threatened demotion of the long-serving List MP, as well as fellow repeal supporter Doug Woolerton
Doug Woolerton
Doug Woolerton is a New Zealand politician.-Early years:He was educated at Hamilton Boys' High School, and has a background in agriculture, having been a farmer for twenty-one years and director of a milk company for nine....
. In contrast to other New Zealand First Members of Parliament, Donnelly was widely respected by Members from other political parties.
In February 2008, Donnelly was appointed as New Zealand's High Commissioner to the Cook Islands, and Dail Jones
Dail Jones
Dail Michael John Jones QSO is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the New Zealand First party, and was formerly in the National Party.-Early life:Jones was born in Karachi, Pakistan, and attended Karachi Grammar School...
was sworn in to replace him as a list MP on 15 February 2008. Donnelly was a speaker of Cook Islands Māori, unlike most Foreign Affairs diplomats.
Illness and death
In August 2008, Donnelly resigned from his position due to ill health. He was made a Companion of the Queen's Service OrderQueen's Service Order
The Queen's Service Order was established by Queen Elizabeth II on 13 March 1975, awarded by the government of New Zealand "for valuable voluntary service to the community or meritorious and faithful services to the Crown or similar services within the public sector, whether in elected or...
in 2008.
Brian Donnelly died on 25 September 2008.