Judith Collins
Encyclopedia
Judith Anne Collins is a New Zealand
National Party
politician and a lawyer. She is a front bench
Cabinet
minister with the portfolios of Police, Corrections and Veterans' Affairs in the Fifth National Government
.
. Her parents were dairy farmers Percy and Jessie Collins of Walton
in the Waikato
and she was the youngest of six children attending Walton Primary School. In 1977 and 1978 she studied at the University of Canterbury
. In 1979 she switched to the University of Auckland
, and obtained first an LLB
and then a LLM
(Hons)
and later a Master of Taxation Studies (MTaxS). She met her husband, part-Samoan
David Wong Tung, at university. He was then a police officer and had migrated from Samoa
as a child. They have one son.
After leaving university, she worked as a lawyer
, specializing in employment, property, commercial, and tax law. She was active in legal associations, and was President of the Auckland District Law Society
and Vice-President of the New Zealand Law Society
. She also served as chairperson of the Casino Control Authority.
Early in her married life, she and her husband bought into a restaurant. She had been a keen supporter of the Labour Party
from childhood, but personal reflection and life experiences impacted significantly enough on Collins that she switched her support to the National Party
.
as National MP for Clevedon
. Clevedon, although technically a new electorate, was largely based on the old Hunua
seat, held by National's Warren Kyd
. Collins' challenge to Kyd's candidacy in Clevedon was controversial, as sitting MPs were rarely opposed for re-selection. In Parliament, Collins became National's Associate Spokesperson on Health and Spokesperson on Internal Affairs. In 2003, these responsibilities were changed for those of Associate Spokesperson on Justice and Spokesperson on Tourism. She was generally regarded as having performed well, and she then served as Spokesperson on Social Welfare, Spokesperson on Family, and Spokesperson on Pacific Island Affairs. She is ranked seventh in the current National Party caucus.
Ms Collins' Clevedon seat disappeared under boundary changes for the 2008 general election
. She originally announced her intention to seek the National Party nomination for Howick
, which comprises the urban part of her former Clevedon seat. However, following objections made to the Electoral Commission over draft changes to the boundaries that saw a major redrawing of the adjacent constituency Pakuranga
, the draft Howick was redrawn and renamed Botany
. Ms Collins then sought and won the nomination for Papakura
(which comprises the other half of her former Clevedon seat) and allowed her colleague, National Party MP Pansy Wong
to seek nomination for Botany. Collins won Papakura with a majority of more than 10,000. The National Party formed a government and Collins entered Cabinet with the portfolios of Police, Corrections and Veterans' Affairs.
In 2009, Ms Collins was nicknamed "Crusher Collins" when she proposed legislation to crush
the cars of persistent ""boy racers". Waimakariri Opposition MP Clayton Cosgrove
stated "a boy racer's car was often the only asset they had to pay fines and court costs, and if crushed, those costs would be passed onto the taxpayer." Most road deaths in the South Island are caused by average drivers rather than "boy racers". Her no-nonsense approach to her role as Minister of Corrections led her into difficulties, for example, when the State Services Commissioner did not bow to her apparent wish for a personnel change at the top of the Corrections department.
Collins was quoted on 3 News
in September 2009 describing those University of Otago
and University of Canterbury
students involved in the Undie 500 student riots as "spoilt little rich kids, who think that they are going to be the future leaders of our country" and, further, that if they are the future leaders of our country, then "God help us".
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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...
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:...
politician and a lawyer. She is a front bench
Frontbencher
In many parliaments and other similar assemblies, seating is typically arranged in banks or rows, with each political party or caucus grouped together. The spokespeople for each group will often sit at the front of their group, and are then known as being on the frontbench and are described as...
Cabinet
New Zealand Cabinet
The Cabinet of New Zealand functions as the policy and decision-making body of the executive branch within the New Zealand government system...
minister with the portfolios of Police, Corrections and Veterans' Affairs in the Fifth National Government
Fifth National Government of New Zealand
The Fifth National Government of New Zealand is the current government of New Zealand. It is led by Prime Minister John Key.After the 2008 general election the National Party and its allies were able to form a government, taking over from Helen Clark's Fifth Labour Government. The National party...
.
Early life and career
Collins was born in HamiltonHamilton, New Zealand
Hamilton is the centre of New Zealand's fourth largest urban area, and Hamilton City is the country's fourth largest territorial authority. Hamilton is in the Waikato Region of the North Island, approximately south of Auckland...
. Her parents were dairy farmers Percy and Jessie Collins of Walton
Walton, North Island
Walton is a settlement in New Zealand. It is sited at the junction of Walton Road and Morrinsville Walton Road, in the Central Waikato Region.The area is predominantly dairying with some maize growing and meat chicken farming...
in the Waikato
Waikato
The Waikato Region is a local government region of the upper North Island of New Zealand. It covers the Waikato, Hauraki, Coromandel Peninsula, the northern King Country, much of the Taupo District, and parts of Rotorua District...
and she was the youngest of six children attending Walton Primary School. In 1977 and 1978 she studied at the University of Canterbury
University of Canterbury
The University of Canterbury , New Zealand's second-oldest university, operates its main campus in the suburb of Ilam in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand...
. In 1979 she switched to the University of Auckland
University of Auckland
The University of Auckland is a university located in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the largest university in the country and the highest ranked in the 2011 QS World University Rankings, having been ranked worldwide...
, and obtained first an LLB
Bachelor of Laws
The Bachelor of Laws is an undergraduate, or bachelor, degree in law originating in England and offered in most common law countries as the primary law degree...
and then a LLM
Master of Laws
The Master of Laws is an advanced academic degree, pursued by those holding a professional law degree, and is commonly abbreviated LL.M. from its Latin name, Legum Magister. The University of Oxford names its taught masters of laws B.C.L...
(Hons)
Honors student
An honors student is a person recognized for achieving high grades or high marks in their course work.Honors students may refer to# Students recognized for their academic achievement on lists published periodically throughout the school year, known as honor rolls, varying from school to school, and...
and later a Master of Taxation Studies (MTaxS). She met her husband, part-Samoan
Samoans
The Samoan people are a Polynesian ethnic group of the Samoan Islands, sharing genetics, language, history and culture. Due to colonialism, the home islands are politically and geographically divided between the country of Samoa, official name Independent State of Samoa ; and American Samoa, an...
David Wong Tung, at university. He was then a police officer and had migrated from Samoa
Samoa
Samoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
as a child. They have one son.
After leaving university, she worked as a lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
, specializing in employment, property, commercial, and tax law. She was active in legal associations, and was President of the Auckland District Law Society
Auckland District Law Society
The Auckland District Law Society is the professional body for barristers and solicitors practising in the Auckland region of New Zealand. It operates in conjunction with the New Zealand Law Society and was established in 1879. Membership is compulsory in accordance with the Law Practitioners Act...
and Vice-President of the New Zealand Law Society
New Zealand Law Society
The New Zealand Law Society is the parent body for barristers and solicitors in New Zealand. It was established in 1869, and regulates all lawyers practising in New Zealand...
. She also served as chairperson of the Casino Control Authority.
Early in her married life, she and her husband bought into a restaurant. She had been a keen supporter of the Labour Party
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....
from childhood, but personal reflection and life experiences impacted significantly enough on Collins that she switched her support to 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:...
.
Member of Parliament
Collins was elected to Parliament in the 2002 electionsNew Zealand general election, 2002
The 2002 New Zealand general election was held on 27 July 2002 to determine the composition of the 47th New Zealand Parliament. It saw the reelection of Helen Clark's Labour Party government, as well as the worst-ever performance by the opposition National Party.Arguably the most controversial...
as National MP for Clevedon
Clevedon (New Zealand electorate)
Clevedon was a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate from 2002 to 2008.It was held by Judith Collins MP throughout its existence.-Population Centres:...
. Clevedon, although technically a new electorate, was largely based on the old Hunua
Hunua
The Hunua electorate existed three times for the New Zealand House of Representatives beginning in 1978, based at the south end of the Auckland urban area, and named for the Hunua Ranges. It covered different geographical areas over those periods...
seat, held by National's Warren Kyd
Warren Kyd
Warren Kyd is a former New Zealand politician. He was an MP from 1987 to 2002, representing the National Party. He was first elected to Parliament in the 1987 elections, becoming MP for Clevedon. He held this seat until the 1993 elections, when he became MP for Hauraki. In the 1996 elections, he...
. Collins' challenge to Kyd's candidacy in Clevedon was controversial, as sitting MPs were rarely opposed for re-selection. In Parliament, Collins became National's Associate Spokesperson on Health and Spokesperson on Internal Affairs. In 2003, these responsibilities were changed for those of Associate Spokesperson on Justice and Spokesperson on Tourism. She was generally regarded as having performed well, and she then served as Spokesperson on Social Welfare, Spokesperson on Family, and Spokesperson on Pacific Island Affairs. She is ranked seventh in the current National Party caucus.
Ms Collins' Clevedon seat disappeared under boundary changes for 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...
. She originally announced her intention to seek the National Party nomination for Howick
Howick (New Zealand electorate)
Howick was a former New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, from 1993 to 1996 only.-Population Centres:This suburban electorate is in the southern part of greater Auckland.-History:...
, which comprises the urban part of her former Clevedon seat. However, following objections made to the Electoral Commission over draft changes to the boundaries that saw a major redrawing of the adjacent constituency Pakuranga
Pakuranga (New Zealand electorate)
rightPakuranga is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate.It is currently held by Maurice Williamson MP, a member of the National Party.-Population centres:Pakuranga is one of sixty-three general electorates used in New Zealand general elections...
, the draft Howick was redrawn and renamed Botany
Botany (New Zealand electorate)
Botany is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. It was contested for the first time at the 2008 general election, and won by Pansy Wong for the National Party...
. Ms Collins then sought and won the nomination for Papakura
Papakura (New Zealand electorate)
rightPapakura has been the name of two seats in the New Zealand House of Representatives, both based around the south Auckland town of Papakura. Historically, the name refers to an electorate that existed between 1978 and 1996, which with the advent of Mixed Member Proportional voting and resulting...
(which comprises the other half of her former Clevedon seat) and allowed her colleague, National Party MP Pansy Wong
Pansy Wong
Pansy Yu Fong Wong is a former New Zealand politician. She was New Zealand's first Asian MP, serving as a member of parliament for the National Party from 1996 to 2011...
to seek nomination for Botany. Collins won Papakura with a majority of more than 10,000. The National Party formed a government and Collins entered Cabinet with the portfolios of Police, Corrections and Veterans' Affairs.
In 2009, Ms Collins was nicknamed "Crusher Collins" when she proposed legislation to crush
Car crusher
A car crusher is an industrial device used to reduce the dimensions of derelict cars prior to transport for recycling.Car crushers are compactors and can be of two types: "pancake", where a scrap automobile is flattened by a huge descending hydraulically-powered plate, or the baling press type,...
the cars of persistent ""boy racers". Waimakariri Opposition MP Clayton Cosgrove
Clayton Cosgrove
Clayton James Cosgrove is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the Labour Party.-Early life:Cosgrove was born in Nelson, New Zealand. He received a BA, in American Studies and Political Science, from the University of Canterbury in 1992 and received an MBA in 1996...
stated "a boy racer's car was often the only asset they had to pay fines and court costs, and if crushed, those costs would be passed onto the taxpayer." Most road deaths in the South Island are caused by average drivers rather than "boy racers". Her no-nonsense approach to her role as Minister of Corrections led her into difficulties, for example, when the State Services Commissioner did not bow to her apparent wish for a personnel change at the top of the Corrections department.
Collins was quoted on 3 News
3 News
3 News is the television, internet and radio news service of New Zealand's TV3. Its flagship bulletin, which airs every evening at 6:00pm, is anchored by Hilary Barry and Mike McRoberts. Carolyn Robinson and Simon Shepherd are weekend and substitute anchors...
in September 2009 describing those University of Otago
University of Otago
The University of Otago in Dunedin is New Zealand's oldest university with over 22,000 students enrolled during 2010.The university has New Zealand's highest average research quality and in New Zealand is second only to the University of Auckland in the number of A rated academic researchers it...
and University of Canterbury
University of Canterbury
The University of Canterbury , New Zealand's second-oldest university, operates its main campus in the suburb of Ilam in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand...
students involved in the Undie 500 student riots as "spoilt little rich kids, who think that they are going to be the future leaders of our country" and, further, that if they are the future leaders of our country, then "God help us".
External links
- Judith Collins MP official site
- Profile at National party
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