Paul Swain
Encyclopedia
Paul Desmond Swain, QSO
(born 20 December 1951) is a New Zealand
politician. He is a member of the Labour Party
.
on 20 December 1951. He attended St. Patrick's College
in Wellington
. He has obtained a BA
from Victoria University of Wellington
.
Before entering politics, he worked in the social welfare sector, and has also been a bus driver
in Wellington
. Swain has a daughter with his wife Toni Reeves-Swain, and two sons from an earlier marriage.
from the 1990 election
until the 1996 elections
, when the electorate boundaries were changed and it became Rimutaka
. He won Rimutaka in 1996 and held the seat until the 2008 election
, which he did not contest, retiring from politics.
, Minister of Commerce, Minister of Communications, Minister of Corrections, Minister of Immigration, Minister for Information Technology, Minister of Labour, Minister of Statistics, Minister for State Owned Enterprises, Minister of Transport, and Associate Minister for Economic Development.
After the 2005 election
, Swain decided not to seek a Cabinet post in the new government.
He is employed by the Crown as their lead negotiator for a settlement of historical grievances with Ngāti Porou
.
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...
(born 20 December 1951) is 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 is a member 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....
.
Early life
Swain was born in Palmerston NorthPalmerston North
Palmerston North is the main city of the Manawatu-Wanganui region of the North Island of New Zealand. It is an inland city with a population of and is the country's seventh largest city and eighth largest urban area. Palmerston North is located in the eastern Manawatu Plains near the north bank...
on 20 December 1951. He attended St. Patrick's College
St. Patrick's College, Wellington
- History :Founded by Archbishop Francis Redwood SM, St Patrick's opened on June 1, 1885 with nine day-boys and twelve boarders.The College represents one of the earliest educational establishments of the Society of Mary the religious congregation whose members accompanied Bishop Jean Baptiste...
in Wellington
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
. He has obtained a BA
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
from Victoria University of Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington was established in 1897 by Act of Parliament, and was a former constituent college of the University of New Zealand. It is particularly well known for its programmes in law, the humanities, and some scientific disciplines, but offers a broad range of other courses...
.
Before entering politics, he worked in the social welfare sector, and has also been a bus driver
Bus driver
A bus driver, bus operator or omnibus driver is a person who drives buses professionally. Bus drivers typically drive their vehicles between bus stations or stops. They often drop off and pick up passengers on a predetermined route schedule. In British English a different term, coach drivers, is...
in Wellington
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
. Swain has a daughter with his wife Toni Reeves-Swain, and two sons from an earlier marriage.
Member of Parliament
He was MP for the seat of Eastern HuttEastern Hutt
Eastern Hutt is a former New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, from 1978 to 1996.-Population Centres:The main population centre in the electorate was the city of Lower Hutt in the Hutt Valley.-History:...
from the 1990 election
New Zealand general election, 1990
The 1990 New Zealand general election was held on 27 October to determine the composition of the 43rd New Zealand parliament. The governing Labour Party was defeated, ending its controversial two terms in office...
until 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...
, when the electorate boundaries were changed and it became Rimutaka
Rimutaka (New Zealand electorate)
Rimutaka is an electorate returning one member to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current representative is Chris Hipkins. He is a member of the Labour Party, and has represented the seat since 2008....
. He won Rimutaka in 1996 and held the seat until the 2008 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...
, which he did not contest, retiring from politics.
Minister
Swain has held a number of ministerial portfolios, including Associate Minister of FinanceMinister of Finance (New Zealand)
The Minister of Finance is a senior figure within the government of New Zealand. The position is often considered to be the most important Cabinet role after that of the Prime Minister....
, Minister of Commerce, Minister of Communications, Minister of Corrections, Minister of Immigration, Minister for Information Technology, Minister of Labour, Minister of Statistics, Minister for State Owned Enterprises, Minister of Transport, and Associate Minister for Economic Development.
After the 2005 election
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...
, Swain decided not to seek a Cabinet post in the new government.
Life after politics
Swain was made a Companion of the Queen's Service Order (QSO) in March 2009 for services as a Member of Parliament.He is employed by the Crown as their lead negotiator for a settlement of historical grievances with Ngāti Porou
Ngati Porou
Ngāti Porou is a Māori iwi traditionally located in the East Cape and Gisborne regions of the North Island of New Zealand. Ngāti Porou has the second-largest affiliation of any iwi in New Zealand, with 71,910 registered members in 2006...
.