Philip Shane Ardern (b. 26 January 1960) 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

Politician

A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...

. He is a member of 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:...

, representing the electorate of Taranaki-King Country

Taranaki-King Country

rightTaranaki-King Country is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Taranaki-King Country is Shane Ardern of the National Party...

.

Early years

Ardern was born and raised in Opunake

Opunake

Opunake is a small town on the southwest coast of Taranaki in New Zealand's North Island. It is located 45 kilometres southwest of New Plymouth. Rahotu is 16 km to the northwest. Manaia is 29 km to the southeast. State Highway 45 passes through the town.The population was 1368 in the...

, and attended Opunake High School

Opunake High School

Opunake High School is a state co-educational secondary school in Opunake, New Zealand.-Notable alumni:* Shane Ardern - Member of Parliament* Jim Bolger - former Prime Minister of New Zealand, and former NZ Ambassador to the United States of America...

.

Before entering politics, Ardern was a dairy farmer, and many of his political activities have been on behalf of the farming community.

Member of Parliament

He was first elected in the Taranaki-King Country by-election of 1998, which was prompted by the retirement from politics of former Prime Minister

Prime Minister of New Zealand

The Prime Minister of New Zealand is New Zealand's head of government consequent on being the leader of the party or coalition with majority support in the Parliament of New Zealand...

 Jim Bolger

Jim Bolger

James Brendan "Jim" Bolger, ONZ was the 35th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1990 to 1997. Bolger was elected on the promise of delivering a "Decent Society" following the previous Labour government's economic reforms, known as Rogernomics...

. He has held that seat since.

He gained nationwide recognition when, having driven a tractor

Tractor

A tractor is a vehicle specifically designed to deliver a high tractive effort at slow speeds, for the purposes of hauling a trailer or machinery used in agriculture or construction...

 up the front steps of Parliament

Parliament of New Zealand

The Parliament of New Zealand consists of the Queen of New Zealand and the New Zealand House of Representatives and, until 1951, the New Zealand Legislative Council. The House of Representatives is often referred to as "Parliament".The House of Representatives usually consists of 120 Members of...

 as part of a protest against a proposed agricultural emissions research levy, nicknamed the "flatulence" or "fart tax", he was investigated by the police for dangerous conduct.

External links

• Shane Ardern MP official site
• Profile at National party

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