George Hawkins (politician)

For other people with the same name, see George Hawkins.

The Honourable George Hawkins QSO
33rd Minister of Police
In office 10 December 1999 – 19 October 2005
Prime Minister	Helen Clark
Preceded by	Clem Simich
Succeeded by	Annette King
29th Minister of Internal Affairs
In office 13 November 2000 – 19 October 2005
Prime Minister	Helen Clark
Preceded by	Mark Burton
Succeeded by	Rick Barker
Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Manurewa
In office 27 October 1990 – 26 November 2011
Preceded by	Roger Douglas
Succeeded by	Louisa Wall
Personal details
Born	George Warren Hawkins 1946 (age 77–78) Mount Eden, Auckland, New Zealand
Political party	Labour
Profession	Schoolteacher

George Warren Hawkins QSO (born 1946) is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the Labour Party.

Early life

Hawkins was born on 15 May 1946 in the Auckland suburb of Mt Eden. He attended Dominion Road Primary School, Mount Albert Grammar School (1960–1963) and then Auckland Teachers' College.

He joined the Labour Party and became chair of Labour's Papakura branch. In early 1977 he stood as a candidate for the Labour Party nomination in the Mangere by-election, but he lost out to future Prime Minister David Lange. Later that year Hawkins stood for the nomination for the nearby seat of Papatoetoe, but was again unsuccessful.

Political career

Papakura

Hawkins was a councillor for Papakura City 1980–1983. He was elector Mayor of Papakura in 1983, and held that position until 1992. He was succeeded by his brother David Hawkins. In 1989, Papakura City became Papakura District as part of the local government reforms.

Member of Parliament

New Zealand Parliament

Years	Term	Electorate	List	Party
1990–1993	43rd	Manurewa			Labour
1993–1996	44th	Manurewa			Labour
1996–1999	45th	Manurewa	none		Labour
1999–2002	46th	Manurewa	none		Labour
2002–2005	47th	Manurewa	15		Labour
2005–2008	48th	Manurewa	none		Labour
2008–2011	49th	Manurewa	none		Labour

Hawkins served as MP for Manurewa from when he was first elected to Parliament in the 1990 general election. In November 1990 he was appointed as Labour's spokesperson for Local Government and Urban Affairs by Labour leader Mike Moore.

In July 1992 Hawkins was hospitalized suffering from and infection and exhaustion. While in hospital he suffered a pulmonary embolism leading him to an extended convalescence. He later decided to retire from the Papakura mayoralty.

He served as Minister of Internal Affairs, Minister of Police, Minister of Civil Defence, and Minister of Veterans' Affairs in the 2002–2005 parliamentary term. He has previously held office as mayor of Papakura. Before entering politics, he was a teacher.

Disappointed at being ranked 25th on the 2005 Labour Party list, he withdrew his name from the list, and won the Manurewa seat with a comfortable margin of over 12,000 votes (a similar majority to his 2002 election win). Although Hawkins was criticised over his handling of police issues, in particular 111 calls, he remained a Minister until he made the decision not to seek a new position in Cabinet after the 2005 election.

In the 2008 general election he again chose not to be placed on the party list, and again won his Manurewa seat. However his majority was cut by more than half.

In 2013 Hawkins was elected a member of the Manurewa Local Board.

Honors and recognition

In the 2013 New Year Honours, Hawkins was appointed a Companion of the Queen's Service Order for services as a member of Parliament.

External links

• Parliamentary page