Tuariki Delamere
Encyclopedia
Tuariki John Delamere is a former New Zealand
politician. He served as an MP from 1996 to 1999, and was a member of Cabinet
for the duration of his term.
, and was educated in Tauranga
. In 1967 and 1969, he was recognised as the top Māori student in New Zealand. He then attended Washington State University
in Pullman, Washington
, having won an athletics scholarship. He obtained a BA
in 1974. He later obtained an MBA
from Long Island University
. For a time, Delamere served in the United States Army
, being stationed at Fort Leonard Wood
in Missouri
. He later joined the staff of the West Point military academy
. After leaving the United States, Delamere worked as chief financial officer for Polynesian Airlines
. He also held a number of bureaucratic
roles. Delamere has also been successful in sporting events; setting records in long jump
and triple jump
, and representing New Zealand
in those events in the 1974 Commonwealth Games at Christchurch.
, when he successfully stood as a candidate for the New Zealand First
party in the Te Tai Rawhiti
electorate, defeating Sir Peter Tapsell
and becoming one of the group known as the Tight Five
. Immediately after being elected, he was appointed to Cabinet
as part of New Zealand First's coalition deal with the National Party
. Among the roles he held during his ministerial career were those of Minister of Immigration, Minister of Pacific Island Affairs, Associate Minister of Finance
, and Associate Minister of Health
.
In 1998, the coalition between New Zealand First and the National Party began to break apart, and significant tensions emerged in New Zealand First itself. On 11 August, it was claimed by ACT MP Rodney Hide
that Delamere was planning a coup against New Zealand First leader Winston Peters
, an allegation which Delamere denied. Two days later, Delamere acknowledged that he had been exploring the possibility a new political party based around the so-called "tight five", New Zealand First's group of Māori MPs (not counting Peters himself). When Peters was sacked from Cabinet, Delamere openly supported the move, and pledged his support to the National Party government regardless of his party's stance. Delamere formally resigned from New Zealand First on 18 August 1998, saying that the party would be better known as "Winston First".
On 22 December 1998, Delamere announced gay and lesbian couples applying for permanent residency
would have the same rights as straight de facto couples: a change Max Bradford
, when Minister of Immigration, stated was too difficult.
In late 1999, however, he lost his role as Minister of Immigration after a scandal regarding the application of immigration rules. Specifically, it emerged that Delamere had approved permanent residency
for a group of Chinese
businessmen provided they invested generously in various Māori development schemes. Delamere was widely criticised for using his authority to ensure that money was given to certain groups. Delamere himself claimed that his actions were a perfectly reasonable method of addressing Māori development needs. Although he lost the immigration portfolio, he retained his other roles.
Shortly before the 1999 elections
, Delamere joined the small Māori Te Tawharau
party, giving it its first representation in Parliament. He had previously declined to join the Mauri Pacific
party, established by five other former New Zealand First MPs (including three of his "tight five" colleagues). Shortly prior to the election, Delamere announced that his party would support only a Labour Party government on confidence and supply if it won seats in the new Parliament. This was at odds with Delamere's unwavering support of the legislative programme of the Shipley Administration. In the elections, Delamere contested the new Waiariki
electorate — he placed second, with 20.01% of the vote. The winner was Mita Ririnui
of the Labour Party
. He was also placed second on the party list of the Mana Māori Movement
, which Te Tawharau was affiliated with, but the party did not win any seats.
In 2000 Delamere rejoined the New Zealand National Party
, the party he had started his political career with. However he ruled out a return to Parliament to concentrate on his business concerns.
In March and November 2005, Delamere appeared in court on charges of fraud; the trial began in the High Court in Auckland on 7 February 2007. After a 4 week trial, which cost him $1m to clear his name, it took the jury only 2 hours to find him innocent of all charges on 2 March 2007.
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. He served as an MP from 1996 to 1999, and was a member of Cabinet
New Zealand Cabinet
The Cabinet of New Zealand functions as the policy and decision-making body of the executive branch within the New Zealand government system...
for the duration of his term.
Before politics
Delamere was born in 1951 at a military hospital in PapakuraPapakura
The Papakura District was the name of a local council territory in New Zealand's Auckland Region that existed from 1989 until 2010. The area made up the southernmost part of the Auckland metropolitan area....
, and was educated in Tauranga
Tauranga
Tauranga is the most populous city in the Bay of Plenty region, in the North Island of New Zealand.It was settled by Europeans in the early 19th century and was constituted as a city in 1963...
. In 1967 and 1969, he was recognised as the top Māori student in New Zealand. He then attended Washington State University
Washington State University
Washington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
in Pullman, Washington
Pullman, Washington
Pullman is the largest city in Whitman County, Washington, United States. The population was 24,675 at the 2000 census and 29,799 according to the 2010 census...
, having won an athletics scholarship. He obtained a BA
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in 1974. He later obtained an MBA
Master of Business Administration
The Master of Business Administration is a :master's degree in business administration, which attracts people from a wide range of academic disciplines. The MBA designation originated in the United States, emerging from the late 19th century as the country industrialized and companies sought out...
from Long Island University
Long Island University
Long Island University is a private, coeducational, nonsectarian institution of higher education in the U.S. state of New York.-History:...
. For a time, Delamere served in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, being stationed at Fort Leonard Wood
Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri
Fort Leonard Wood is a census-designated place in Pulaski County, Missouri, United States. The population was 13,667 at the 2000 census. It is named in honor of Major General Leonard Wood, who was awarded the Medal of Honor...
in Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
. He later joined the staff of the West Point military academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
. After leaving the United States, Delamere worked as chief financial officer for Polynesian Airlines
Polynesian Airlines
Polynesian Airlines is the national airline of Samoa and has its headquarters in the Samoa National Provident Fund Building in the capital, Apia. It formerly flew all over the Pacific but with the establishment of Polynesian Blue by the government and Virgin Blue , Polynesian Airlines has...
. He also held a number of bureaucratic
Bureaucracy
A bureaucracy is an organization of non-elected officials of a governmental or organization who implement the rules, laws, and functions of their institution, and are occasionally characterized by officialism and red tape.-Weberian bureaucracy:...
roles. Delamere has also been successful in sporting events; setting records in long jump
Long jump
The long jump is a track and field event in which athletes combine speed, strength, and agility in an attempt to leap as far as possible from a take off point...
and triple jump
Triple jump
The triple jump is a track and field sport, similar to the long jump, but involving a “hop, bound and jump” routine, whereby the competitor runs down the track and performs a hop, a bound and then a jump into the sand pit.The triple jump has its origins in the Ancient Olympics and has been a...
, and representing 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...
in those events in the 1974 Commonwealth Games at Christchurch.
New Zealand First
Delamere entered politics in the 1996 electionsNew Zealand general election, 1996
The 1996 New Zealand general election was held on 12 October 1996 to determine the composition of the 45th New Zealand Parliament. It was notable for being the first election to be held under the new Mixed Member Proportional electoral system, and produced a parliament considerably more diverse...
, when he successfully stood as a candidate for the New Zealand First
New Zealand First
New Zealand First is a political party in New Zealand that was founded in 1993, following party founder Winston Peters' resignation from the National Party in 1992...
party in the Te Tai Rawhiti
Te Tai Rawhiti
Te Tai Rawhiti or "the east side" was one of the five new New Zealand Parliamentary Māori electorates created in 1996 for MMP. It was renamed in 1999 to Ikaroa-Rāwhiti.-Population Centres:The electorate includes the following population centres:...
electorate, defeating Sir Peter Tapsell
Peter Tapsell (New Zealand)
Sir Peter Wilfred Tapsell, KNZM, MBE, FRCS, FRCSEd was Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives from 1993 to 1996...
and becoming one of the group known as the Tight Five
Tight Five
-Parliamentary terms:-History:The Tight Five was a nickname given to the five Māori elected to the New Zealand Parliament in 1996 from the centrist/nationalist New Zealand First party....
. Immediately after being elected, he was appointed to Cabinet
New Zealand Cabinet
The Cabinet of New Zealand functions as the policy and decision-making body of the executive branch within the New Zealand government system...
as part of New Zealand First's coalition deal with 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:...
. Among the roles he held during his ministerial career were those of Minister of Immigration, Minister of Pacific Island Affairs, Associate Minister of Finance
Minister of Finance (New Zealand)
The Minister of Finance is a senior figure within the government of New Zealand. The position is often considered to be the most important Cabinet role after that of the Prime Minister....
, and Associate Minister of Health
Minister of Health (New Zealand)
The Minister of Health is a minister in the government of New Zealand with responsibility for the New Zealand Ministry of Health and the District Health Boards.The present Minister is Tony Ryall, a member of the National Party.-History:...
.
In 1998, the coalition between New Zealand First and the National Party began to break apart, and significant tensions emerged in New Zealand First itself. On 11 August, it was claimed by ACT MP Rodney Hide
Rodney Hide
Rodney Hide is a New Zealand politician who was leader of the political party ACT New Zealand from 2004 to 2011. From 2005 to 2011 he represented the electorate of Epsom as its Member of Parliament. Rodney Hide was Minister of Local Government, Associate Minister of Commerce and Minister of...
that Delamere was planning a coup against New Zealand First leader Winston Peters
Winston Peters
Winston Raymond Peters is a New Zealand politician and leader of New Zealand First, a political party he founded in 1993. Peters has had a turbulent political career since entering Parliament in 1978. He served as Minister of Maori Affairs in the Bolger National Party Government before being...
, an allegation which Delamere denied. Two days later, Delamere acknowledged that he had been exploring the possibility a new political party based around the so-called "tight five", New Zealand First's group of Māori MPs (not counting Peters himself). When Peters was sacked from Cabinet, Delamere openly supported the move, and pledged his support to the National Party government regardless of his party's stance. Delamere formally resigned from New Zealand First on 18 August 1998, saying that the party would be better known as "Winston First".
Independent and Te Tawharau
As an independent, Delamere continued to support the National government, and retained his ministerial portfolios.On 22 December 1998, Delamere announced gay and lesbian couples applying for permanent residency
Permanent residency
Permanent residency refers to a person's visa status: the person is allowed to reside indefinitely within a country of which he or she is not a citizen. A person with such status is known as a permanent resident....
would have the same rights as straight de facto couples: a change Max Bradford
Max Bradford
Maxwell Robert Bradford is a former New Zealand politician and Cabinet Minister. He was an MP for the National Party from 1990 to 2002, and is known for introducing reforms to the electricity industry in 1998.-Early life:...
, when Minister of Immigration, stated was too difficult.
In late 1999, however, he lost his role as Minister of Immigration after a scandal regarding the application of immigration rules. Specifically, it emerged that Delamere had approved permanent residency
Permanent residency
Permanent residency refers to a person's visa status: the person is allowed to reside indefinitely within a country of which he or she is not a citizen. A person with such status is known as a permanent resident....
for a group of Chinese
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
businessmen provided they invested generously in various Māori development schemes. Delamere was widely criticised for using his authority to ensure that money was given to certain groups. Delamere himself claimed that his actions were a perfectly reasonable method of addressing Māori development needs. Although he lost the immigration portfolio, he retained his other roles.
Shortly before the 1999 elections
New Zealand general election, 1999
The 1999 New Zealand general election was held on 27 November 1999 to determine the composition of the 46th New Zealand Parliament. The governing National Party, led by Prime Minister Jenny Shipley, was defeated, being replaced by a coalition of Helen Clark's Labour Party and the smaller Alliance...
, Delamere joined the small Māori Te Tawharau
Te Tawharau
Te Tawharau was a Māori political party in New Zealand.Te Tawharau briefly had representation in Parliament when Tuariki Delamere, a former New Zealand First MP, transferred his loyalty to it. In the 1999 elections, Te Tawharau contested electorates under its own banner, but contested the party...
party, giving it its first representation in Parliament. He had previously declined to join the Mauri Pacific
Mauri Pacific
Mauri Pacific was a short-lived political party in New Zealand. It was formed in 1998 by five former members of the New Zealand First party. It has often been described as a Māori party. Officially, Mauri Pacific was a multiculturalist party, welcoming anyone who supported racial and cultural...
party, established by five other former New Zealand First MPs (including three of his "tight five" colleagues). Shortly prior to the election, Delamere announced that his party would support only a Labour Party government on confidence and supply if it won seats in the new Parliament. This was at odds with Delamere's unwavering support of the legislative programme of the Shipley Administration. In the elections, Delamere contested the new Waiariki
Waiariki (New Zealand electorate)
Waiariki is a New Zealand Parliamentary Māori electorate.It is currently held by Te Ururoa Flavell MP.-Population Centres:The electorate includes the following population centres:* Tauranga* Whakatane* Rotorua* Taupo-Tribal Areas:...
electorate — he placed second, with 20.01% of the vote. The winner was Mita Ririnui
Mita Ririnui
Mita Michael Ririnui is a New Zealand politician and a member of the Labour Party. He has been a member of parliament since 1999.-Early years:...
of the Labour Party
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....
. He was also placed second on the party list of the Mana Māori Movement
Mana Maori Movement
The Mana Māori Movement was a New Zealand political party. It advocated on behalf of the Māori people. It was founded by Eva Rickard, a prominent Māori activist. Rickard was originally a member of Mana Motuhake, another Māori party, but quit when Mana Motuhake joined the Alliance...
, which Te Tawharau was affiliated with, but the party did not win any seats.
After politics
Since leaving Parliament, Delamere has established himself as an immigration consultant, founding the company of Tuariki Delamere & Associates. He also owns a successful cabaret restaurant in Auckland.In 2000 Delamere rejoined the New Zealand 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:...
, the party he had started his political career with. However he ruled out a return to Parliament to concentrate on his business concerns.
In March and November 2005, Delamere appeared in court on charges of fraud; the trial began in the High Court in Auckland on 7 February 2007. After a 4 week trial, which cost him $1m to clear his name, it took the jury only 2 hours to find him innocent of all charges on 2 March 2007.