Pete Hodgson

For other people named Peter Hodgson, see Peter Hodgson (disambiguation).

The Honourable Pete Hodgson
Pete Hodgson in 2008
36th Minister of Health
In office 19 October 2005 – 5 November 2007
Preceded by	Annette King
Succeeded by	David Cunliffe
21st Minister of Research, Science and Technology
In office 31 October 2007 – 19 November 2008
Preceded by	Steve Maharey
Succeeded by	Wayne Mapp
In office 10 December 1999 – 21 December 2004
Preceded by	Maurice Williamson
Succeeded by	Steve Maharey
8th Minister of Commerce
In office 21 December 2004 – 19 October 2005
Prime Minister	Helen Clark
Preceded by	Margaret Wilson
Succeeded by	Lianne Dalziel
Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Dunedin North
In office 27 October 1990 – 2011
Preceded by	Stan Rodger
Succeeded by	David Clark
Majority	7,155 (2008)
Personal details
Born	(1950-06-13) 13 June 1950 Whangārei, New Zealand
Political party	Labour
Children	2
Profession	Veterinarian

Peter Colin Hodgson (born 13 June 1950) is a former New Zealand politician of the Labour Party and Member of Parliament for Dunedin North from 1990 to 2011.

Early life

Hodgson was born in Whangārei, and received a Bachelor's degree in veterinary science from Massey University. He has worked as a veterinarian, a high school teacher, and a fruit and vegetable retailer.

Member of Parliament

New Zealand Parliament

Years	Term	Electorate	List	Party
1990–1993	43rd	Dunedin North			Labour
1993–1996	44th	Dunedin North			Labour
1996–1999	45th	Dunedin North	30		Labour
1999–2002	46th	Dunedin North	13		Labour
2002–2005	47th	Dunedin North	13		Labour
2005–2008	48th	Dunedin North	12		Labour
2008–2011	49th	Dunedin North	6		Labour

Hodgson joined the Labour Party in 1976, and shortly afterwards became the manager for Stan Rodger's successful campaign in the Dunedin North seat. After holding a number of other Labour Party roles, including that of marginal seats organiser, he was himself nominated to replace Rodger in the 1990 election. He was successful, and became the MP for Dunedin North.

In November 1990 he was appointed as Labour's spokesperson for Science & Technology and Planning by Labour leader Mike Moore.

When the Labour Party formed a government after the 1999 election, Hodgson was appointed to Cabinet. During Labour's nine years in power, Hodgson's portfolios included Economic Development; Tertiary Education; Research, Science and Technology; Health; Transport; Commerce; Land Information; Statistics; Energy (1999–2004); and Fisheries and Forestry. He was also Associate Minister of Health; Industry and Regional Development; and Foreign Affairs.

In 2001, during the filming of The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy in New Zealand, Hodgson was given the title Minister of the Rings, responsible for investigating methods of capitalising on the boom in tourism to New Zealand that followed the release of the films.

In May 2007, Hodgson briefed the Welsh Labour Party's executive on the practicalities of co-operation between Welsh parties outside a formal coalition, after the 2007 Welsh Assembly elections led to a Labour minority government looking likely.

Labour was defeated in the 2008 general election. Hodgson retained his seat with a majority of 7,155.

In opposition, Hodgson was Labour's "chief dirt-digger and mudslinger". The scandals he exposed caused two government ministers to resign.

Hodgson retired from politics at the end of the 49th Parliament in 2011, after 21 years as the MP for Dunedin North. He was succeeded by Labour's David Clark.

Life after Parliament

In 2013, Hodgson was appointed a member of the Representation Commission to determine New Zealand electoral boundaries.

External links

• Media related to Pete Hodgson at Wikimedia Commons
• Pete Hodgson at the New Zealand Parliament website