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Richard Lewis (politician)
Encyclopedia
Richard Lewis is the leader of The Family Party, a political party
in New Zealand
, and was formerly leader of the now de registered Destiny New Zealand
, a conservative right-wing Christian
party associated with Destiny Church.
Lewis was born in Auckland
, New Zealand. At the age of twenty-two, he joined the New Zealand Police
. He served as a police officer for eleven years. In 2001, he became the manager of Destiny Social Services, a branch of the Auckland-based Destiny Church. In 2003 Lewis was instrumental in the establishment of the Destiny New Zealand
political party, the origins of which derived primarily from Destiny Church which is headed by Brian Tamaki
.
The party went on to stand 42 candidates in electorates nationwide, being one of only 3 parties to stand in all 7 Māori electorates
. While the party did not achieve representation at the 2005 general elections
, it was the highest polling party outside of parliament.
In the 2005 election
, Lewis stood as his party's candidate for Manukau East
and come third behind the two major party candidates from Labour
and National
with 1,111 votes (3.4%).
In 2007, Destiny New Zealand was disbanded, with Lewis instead becoming leader of the newly formed The Family Party.
However, The Family Party failed to gain access into parliament again in the 2008 election
. Lewis, who stood as the candidate for Manurewa
, gained only 514 votes.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in 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...
, and was formerly leader of the now de registered Destiny New Zealand
Destiny New Zealand
Destiny New Zealand was a Christian political party in New Zealand centred on the charismatic/pentecostal Destiny Church. The party described itself as "centre-right". It placed a strong focus on socially conservative values and argued that the breakdown of the traditional family was a primary...
, a conservative right-wing Christian
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
party associated with Destiny Church.
Lewis was born in Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
, New Zealand. At the age of twenty-two, he joined the New Zealand Police
New Zealand Police
The New Zealand Police is the national police force of New Zealand, responsible for enforcing criminal law, enhancing public safety, maintaining order and keeping the peace throughout New Zealand...
. He served as a police officer for eleven years. In 2001, he became the manager of Destiny Social Services, a branch of the Auckland-based Destiny Church. In 2003 Lewis was instrumental in the establishment of the Destiny New Zealand
Destiny New Zealand
Destiny New Zealand was a Christian political party in New Zealand centred on the charismatic/pentecostal Destiny Church. The party described itself as "centre-right". It placed a strong focus on socially conservative values and argued that the breakdown of the traditional family was a primary...
political party, the origins of which derived primarily from Destiny Church which is headed by Brian Tamaki
Brian Tamaki
Brian Raymond Tamaki heads Destiny Church, a Pentecostal Christian organisation in New Zealand which advocates strict adherence to fundamentalist biblical morality, and is notable for its position against homosexuality, its patriarchal views and for its calls for a return to biblical conservative...
.
The party went on to stand 42 candidates in electorates nationwide, being one of only 3 parties to stand in all 7 Māori electorates
Maori seats
In New Zealand politics, Māori electorates, colloquially also called Māori seats, are a special category of electorate that gives reserved positions to representatives of Māori in the New Zealand Parliament...
. While the party did not achieve representation at the 2005 general 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...
, it was the highest polling party outside of parliament.
In 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...
, Lewis stood as his party's candidate for Manukau East
Manukau East
Manukau East is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate.It is currently held by Ross Robertson MP.-Suburbs:In 2007, large changes were made to the Manukau East electorate. Its northern boundary extended past the Tāmaki River to almost as far as Sylvia Park Rd to incorporate Middlemore, Otahuhu and...
and come third behind the two major party candidates from 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....
and 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:...
with 1,111 votes (3.4%).
In 2007, Destiny New Zealand was disbanded, with Lewis instead becoming leader of the newly formed The Family Party.
However, The Family Party failed to gain access into parliament again in 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...
. Lewis, who stood as the candidate for Manurewa
Manurewa (New Zealand electorate)
Manurewa is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate.It is currently held by George Hawkins MP.-Population Centres:The electorate includes the following population centres:...
, gained only 514 votes.