Martin Gallagher (politician)
Encyclopedia
Martin Owen Gallagher JP (born 1952) is a New Zealand
politician and was Labour
member of Parliament representing the Hamilton West
electorate until November 2008. Currently, he is councillor on the Hamilton City Council.
, and the University of Waikato
where he completed a Bachelor of Social Science degree. He is qualified as a teacher.
, when he won the Hamilton West
electorate. In the 1996 elections
, however, he was defeated by National
's Bob Simcock
. In the 1999 elections
, he won back the electorate. At the 2005 elections
, he had a slender majority of 825 votes, 2.0% more than his opponent. In the 2008 general election
he was defeated by National
's Tim Macindoe
. His list placing of 41 meant that he was not returned to Parliament. The swing in Hamilton West at the 2008 election against Gallagher was less than half the nationwide swing against his Government.
Gallagher was Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Select Committee and formerly the Law and Order Select Committee.
In the 2010 local elections, Gallagher was standing for places on the Hamilton City Council and the Waikato District Health Board in the 2010 elections
as an independent candidate
. He came first in both contests and was returned.
. Gallagher is related to the well known Waikato family who run Gallagher Group, an international farming and security company.
Gallagher returned to teaching after being ousted in the 2008 election.
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 and was 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....
member of Parliament representing the 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:...
electorate until November 2008. Currently, he is councillor on the Hamilton City Council.
Early life
Gallagher 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 the University of Waikato
University of Waikato
The University of Waikato is located in Hamilton and Tauranga, New Zealand, and was established in 1964. It has strengths across a broad range of subject areas, particularly its degrees in Computer Science and in Management...
where he completed a Bachelor of Social Science degree. He is qualified as a teacher.
Member of Parliament
He was first elected to Parliament in the 1993 electionsNew 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...
, when he won the 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:...
electorate. In the 1996 elections
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...
, however, he was defeated by National
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:...
's Bob Simcock
Bob Simcock
Robert Simcock is a New Zealand politician. He was a Member of Parliament and then Mayor of Hamilton.-Early career:Simcock attended St John's College before graduating from the University of Waikato with a M Soc Sci ....
. In the 1999 elections
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...
, he won back the electorate. At the 2005 elections
New Zealand general election, 2005
The 2005 New Zealand general election held on 17 September 2005 determined the composition of the 48th New Zealand Parliament. No party won a majority in the unicameral House of Representatives, but the Labour Party of Prime Minister Helen Clark secured two more seats than nearest rival, the...
, he had a slender majority of 825 votes, 2.0% more than his opponent. 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 defeated by National
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:...
's Tim Macindoe
Tim Macindoe
Tim Macindoe is a New Zealand politician who was elected as a Member of Parliament in 2008 for the Hamilton West electorate. Macindoe represents the National Party.-Early life:...
. His list placing of 41 meant that he was not returned to Parliament. The swing in Hamilton West at the 2008 election against Gallagher was less than half the nationwide swing against his Government.
Gallagher was Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Select Committee and formerly the Law and Order Select Committee.
Local body politics
Before standing for Parliament, he had been a city councillor and Deputy Mayor of Hamilton.In the 2010 local elections, Gallagher was standing for places on the Hamilton City Council and the Waikato District Health Board in the 2010 elections
New Zealand local elections, 2010
The 2010 New Zealand local elections were triennial elections to select local government officials and district health board members. All elections are conducted by postal ballot, with election day being Saturday 9 October 2010.Elected were:...
as an independent candidate
Independent (politician)
In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do...
. He came first in both contests and was returned.
Personal life
He is a Justice of the PeaceJustice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
. Gallagher is related to the well known Waikato family who run Gallagher Group, an international farming and security company.
Gallagher returned to teaching after being ousted in the 2008 election.