Simon Power
| The Honourable Simon Power MP |
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|---|---|
| 46th Minister of Justice | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 19 November 2008 |
|
| Prime Minister | John Key |
| Preceded by | Annette King |
| Minister for State-Owned Enterprises | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 19 November 2008 |
|
| Prime Minister | John Key |
| Preceded by | Trevor Mallard |
| Minister of Commerce | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 19 November 2008 |
|
| Prime Minister | John Key |
| Preceded by | Lianne Dalziel |
| Deputy Leader of the House | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 19 November 2008 |
|
| Prime Minister | John Key |
| Preceded by | Darren Hughes |
| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Rangitikei |
|
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 1999 |
|
| Preceded by | Denis Marshall |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 5 December 1969  New Zealand |
| Political party | National |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Simon James Power (born 5 December 1969) is a former New Zealand politician. He is a prominent member of the National Party. Power was a cabinet minister in the 2008-2011 John Key Government. He had previously served as the National Party's chief whip, and as its justice and corrections spokesman. He has an office in Marton.
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[edit] Early years
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Power was educated in Palmerston North, attending St. Peter's College. He was prominent in the life of St. Peter's, captaining two senior sports teams and chairing the School Council. He later studied at Victoria University in Wellington, gaining first a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and then a Bachelor of Laws degree. For two years, he was President of the Victoria University Law Students' Society. He completed his university study in 1993.
After leaving university, Power worked as a lawyer in Palmerston North. For a brief period, he also worked in Auckland. In 1998, he decided to enter national politics. Having been a member of the National Party since the year he left university, he secured the party's nomination for Rangitikei, a predominantly rural area just outside Palmerston North. The seat was being vacated by sitting National MP Denis Marshall.
[edit] Member of Parliament
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| Years | Term | Electorate | List | Party |
| 1999–2002 | 46th | Rangitikei | 37 | National |
| 2002–2005 | 47th | Rangitikei | 13 | National |
| 2005–2008 | 48th | Rangitikei | 3 | National |
| 2008–2011 | 49th | Rangitīkei | 4 | National |
In the 1999 election, Power won Rangitikei. He defeated his opponent, the Labour Party's Craig Walsham, by slightly under three hundred votes. Once in parliament, Power became his party's spokesman on Labour, Industrial Relations, and Youth Affairs. After he retained his seat in the 2002 elections, these roles were swapped for Justice, Tertiary Education, and Workplace Skills. In 2003, when Don Brash became leader of the National Party, Power's responsibilities were once again reshuffled, giving him the portfolios of Defence, Veterans' Affairs, and Youth Affairs.
In May 2004, Power caused controversy for his statement that (as regards defence and foreign affairs) "where Britain, the United States and Australia go, we go". Power later expressed regret for how the statement was interpreted, and party leader Don Brash said that it did not reflect National Party policy. In August of the same year, Power was moved from the defence position to that of chief whip.[1]
The Misuse Of Drugs Act 1975 was due for review by the Law commission with a report released on 11 Feb 2010. Power decided to ignore the recommendations opting for keeping the "status quo".[2]
Power is currently ranked in fourth place within the current National Party caucus. On 2 March 2011 he announced he would be stepping down at the upcoming general election.[3] On 3 May it was announced that Power would be Consumer Affairs Minister until the end of the 49th Parliament. In January 2012 he becomes the head of Westpac Private Bank.[4]
[edit] References
- ^ "New Zealand Parliament – Simon Power". Archived from the original on 30 Jan 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080130151146/http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/MPP/MPs/MPs/7/c/6/48MP30621-Power-Simon.htm.
- ^ "Minister welcomes issues paper on Misuse of Drugs Act". http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/minister+welcomes+issues+paper+misuse+drugs+act.
- ^ Martin Kay (2 March 2011). "Justice Minister Simon Power to retire". Stuff.co.nz. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/4721936/Justice-Minister-Simon-Power-to-retire. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
- ^ "Simon Power going to Westpac Bank". The New Zealand Herald. 11 October 2011. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10758292. Retrieved 11 October 2011.
[edit] External links
- Profile at National party
- Profile at New Zealand Parliament
- Releases and speeches at Beehive.govt.nz
- Record in Parliament at TheyWorkForYou.co.nz
