Martin Gallagher

Martin Owen Gallagher JP (born 11 February 1952)[1] is a New Zealand politician and was Labour member of Parliament representing the Hamilton West electorate until November 2008. Currently, he is councillor on the Hamilton City Council West Ward as well as Deputy Mayor of Hamilton.

For the Australian rugby league player, see Martin Gallagher (rugby league).

Martin Gallagher
JP
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Hamilton West
In office
6 November 1993 – 12 October 1996
Preceded byGrant Thomas
Succeeded byBob Simcock
In office
27 November 1999 – 8 November 2008
Preceded byBob Simcock
Succeeded byTim Macindoe
Personal details
Born (1952-02-11) 11 February 1952
Hamilton, New Zealand
Political partyLabour
ChildrenFour
OccupationTeacher

Early life

Gallagher was educated at Hamilton Boys' High School, and the University of Waikato where he completed a Bachelor of Social Science degree. He is a qualified teacher.[2]

Political career

Member of Parliament
New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate List Party
1993–1996 44th Hamilton West Labour
1999–2002 46th Hamilton West none Labour
2002–2005 47th Hamilton West 31 Labour
2005–2008 48th Hamilton West 32 Labour

He was first elected to Parliament in the 1993 election, when he won the Hamilton West electorate. In the 1996 election, however, he was defeated by National's Bob Simcock. In the 1999 election, he won back the electorate. At the 2005 election, he had a slender majority of 825 votes,[3] 2.0% more than his opponent. In the 2008 general election he was defeated by National's Tim Macindoe.[4] His list placing of 41 meant that he was not returned to Parliament. The swing in Hamilton West at the 2008 election against Gallagher was less than half the nationwide swing against his Government.

Gallagher was Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Select Committee and formerly the Law and Order Select Committee.

Local body politics

Before standing for Parliament, Gallagher was a councillor for the Hamilton City Council from 1985–1994, and served as Deputy Mayor of Hamilton from 1988 to 1993, and again from 2016 to 2019.[2][5]

After losing his Parliamentary seat in 2008, Gallagher returned to local body politics. In the 2010 and 2013 local elections, he ran for the Hamilton City Council and the Waikato District Health Board as an independent candidate.[6][7] He was returned for both positions in each election.[8][9]

Personal life

Gallagher has four children[2] and is a cousin of Sir William Gallagher, of the well known Waikato family who run Gallagher Group,[10] an international farming and security company.

Gallagher is a Justice of the Peace. He returned to teaching after being ousted in the 2008 election.[11]

References
    • Temple, Philip (1994). Temple's Guide to the 44th New Zealand Parliament. Dunedin: McIndoe Publishers. ISBN 0-86868-159-8.
  2. "Biography". Martin Gallagher. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
  3. "Official Count Results – Hamilton West". electionresults.org.nz. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
  4. "Official Count Results – Hamilton West". electionresults.org.nz. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
  5. "Martin Gallagher". Hamilton City Council. Archived from the original on 17 October 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
  6. Neems, Jeff. "Gallagher announces council, board bid". Waikato Times. Fairfax New Zealand. Archived from the original on 13 June 2011. Retrieved 28 August 2010.
  7. "Martin Gallagher". Elections 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
  8. "Martin Gallagher". Elections 2010. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
  9. "Martin Gallagher". Elections 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
  10. "Climate change-denying Hamilton mayoral hopeful James Casson puts up signs at Sir William Gallagher's mansion". Stuff. Retrieved 15 September 2019.
  11. Preston, Nikki (13 March 2010). "Wilson, Gallagher may stand". Waikato Times. Retrieved 14 April 2010.
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