Doug Woolerton
Encyclopedia
Doug Woolerton is a New Zealand politician.
, and has a background in agriculture, having been a farmer for twenty-one years and director of a milk company for nine.
, and stood for selection for the seat of Hamilton West
in 1990. However he was beaten by Grant Thomas
who later won the seat. Woolerton left the National Party in 1992 to form the New Zealand First
party with Winston Peters
.
, becoming a list MP after being ranked fifth on the New Zealand First party list. He remained an MP until his party lost all parliamentary seats in the 2008 general election
.
He was the president of New Zealand First
from the party's inception until 2005 when he resigned in protest against Winston Peters taking a visible role in the Labour
-led government as Minister of Foreign Affairs. More recently, there have been frictions between then New Zealand First Party President Dail Jones
on the one hand, and Woolerton and Brian Donnelly
on the other over the latter's support for Sue Bradford
's private members bill to outlaw parental corporal punishment of children (or smacking)
Early years
He was educated at Hamilton Boys' High SchoolHamilton Boys' High School
Hamilton Boys' High School is a boys' secondary school in Hamilton, New Zealand. The school was established as Hamilton High School in 1903 but was later split into separate boys' and girls' schools. The school crest features a lion, sash and star, and bears the motto "Sapiens Fortunam Fingit Sibi"...
, and has a background in agriculture, having been a farmer for twenty-one years and director of a milk company for nine.
Political career
Woolerton was originally a member of the National PartyNew 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:...
, and stood for selection for the seat of Hamilton West
Hamilton West (New Zealand electorate)
Hamilton West is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate.It has been held by Tim Macindoe MP of the National Party since the 2008 general election.-Population centres:...
in 1990. However he was beaten by Grant Thomas
Grant Thomas (politician)
Grant Thomas was the MP for Hamilton West for 1990–1993, and a Hamilton City Councillor from 1995 - including as Deputy Mayor. Councillor Thomas was educated at Southwell School and Hamilton Boys' High School....
who later won the seat. Woolerton left the National Party in 1992 to form 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 with Winston Peters
Winston Peters
Winston Raymond Peters is a New Zealand politician and leader of New Zealand First, a political party he founded in 1993. Peters has had a turbulent political career since entering Parliament in 1978. He served as Minister of Maori Affairs in the Bolger National Party Government before being...
.
Member of Parliament
Woolerton first entered Parliament in the 1996 electionsNew 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...
, becoming a list MP after being ranked fifth on the New Zealand First party list. He remained an MP until his party lost all parliamentary seats in the 2008 general election
New Zealand general election, 2008
The 2008 New Zealand general election was held on 8 November 2008 to determine the composition of the 49th New Zealand parliament. The conservative National Party, headed by its Parliamentary leader John Key, won a plurality of votes and seats, ending 9 years of government dominated by the social...
.
He was the president of 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...
from the party's inception until 2005 when he resigned in protest against Winston Peters taking a visible role in the Labour
New Zealand Labour Party
The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935....
-led government as Minister of Foreign Affairs. More recently, there have been frictions between then 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...
on the one hand, and Woolerton and Brian Donnelly
Brian Donnelly
Brian Donnelly QSO was a New Zealand politician. He was a member of the New Zealand First party.-Early career:Donnelly was trained as a teacher, and worked in the education sector for twenty years...
on the other over the latter's support for 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 private members bill to outlaw parental corporal punishment of children (or smacking)