David Cunliffe facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Honourable David Cunliffe QSO
Cunliffe in 2018
34th Leader of the Opposition
In office 15 September 2013 – 27 September 2014
Prime Minister	John Key
Deputy	David Parker
Preceded by	David Shearer
Succeeded by	Andrew Little
15th Leader of the Labour Party
In office 15 September 2013 – 27 September 2014
Deputy	David Parker
Preceded by	David Shearer
Succeeded by	Andrew Little
37th Minister of Health
In office 31 October 2007 – 19 November 2008
Prime Minister	Helen Clark
Preceded by	Pete Hodgson
Succeeded by	Tony Ryall
51st Minister of Immigration
In office 19 October 2005 – 11 November 2007
Prime Minister	Helen Clark
Preceded by	Paul Swain
Succeeded by	Clayton Cosgrove
Minister of Communications and Information Technology
In office 15 August 2002 – 19 November 2008
Prime Minister	Helen Clark
Preceded by	Paul Swain
Succeeded by	Steven Joyce
Member of Parliament for New Lynn Titirangi (1999–2002)
In office 27 November 1999 – 23 April 2017
Preceded by	Electorate re-established
Succeeded by	Deborah Russell
Personal details
Born	David Richard Cunliffe (1963-04-30) 30 April 1963 (age 62) Te Aroha, New Zealand
Political party	Labour
Spouse	Karen Price (1984–2015)
Relations	Richard Seddon (great-great uncle)
Children	2
Alma mater	University of Otago Massey University Harvard University

David Richard Cunliffe (born 30 April 1963) is a New Zealand management consultant and a former politician. He was the Leader of the New Zealand Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition from September 2013 to September 2014.

He served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for the Labour Party from 1999 to 2017. During his time in government, he was a minister for different areas. These included Health, Communications and Information Technology, and Immigration.

After the Labour Party lost the 2008 election, David Cunliffe became the party's spokesperson for finance. He tried to become the party leader in 2011 but lost. In 2013, he tried again and was elected leader on 15 September 2013. He resigned as leader in September 2014 after Labour lost the general election.

Early Life and Education

David Cunliffe was born in Te Aroha, New Zealand, on 30 April 1963. His family moved several times during his childhood. His father, Bill, was an Anglican minister and was involved in the Labour Party.

As a teenager, David won a scholarship to study in Wales. He later studied politics at the University of Otago in New Zealand. He also worked as a diplomat for several years. In 1993, he earned a diploma in economics from Massey University. He then studied at Harvard University in the United States, earning a Master of Public Administration degree. Before becoming a politician, he worked as a management consultant in Auckland.

Member of Parliament (MP)

David Cunliffe was first elected to the New Zealand Parliament in the 1999 election. He represented the Titirangi area for the Labour Party. When Labour formed the government, he became the Chair of the Commerce Select Committee.

For the 2002 election, he ran for the New Lynn seat and won. He continued to serve in the government. In 2003, he became a Minister outside of the main Cabinet. After the 2005 election, he was promoted to a full Cabinet Minister.

He kept his seat in Parliament in the 2008, 2011, and 2014 elections. During these years, the Labour Party was not in government, so he served in the Opposition. He held important roles, like being the Finance Spokesperson.

David Cunliffe retired from Parliament in April 2017.

Cabinet Minister (2005–2008)

David Cunliffe became a Cabinet Minister in 2005. He was part of the Labour Government's third term. He was first appointed as the Minister of Immigration, Minister of Communications, and Minister for Information Technology.

In 2007, he became the Minister of Health. This was a more senior role.

Immigration Minister

As Immigration Minister in 2006, David Cunliffe started a big review of the laws about immigration. This review later led to a new Immigration Act in 2009.

Communications and Information Technology Minister

Cunliffe was in charge of Communications and Information Technology. He announced important changes to the telecommunications industry. These changes aimed to increase competition among phone and internet companies.

In 2008, he was given the title of Honorary Fellow of the NZCS. This was from the New Zealand Computer Society. It recognized his important work for the technology sector.

In Opposition (2008–2013)

After the Labour Party lost the 2008 election, David Cunliffe became Labour's spokesperson for Finance. He was seen as a possible future leader of the party.

After Labour lost the 2011 election, the party leader, Phil Goff, stepped down. David Cunliffe ran for the leadership but narrowly lost to David Shearer. Cunliffe still held senior roles in the party, focusing on economic development and finance.

Labour Party Leadership Contest, 2013

On 22 August 2013, David Shearer resigned as Labour leader. David Cunliffe decided to run for the leadership again. He formally announced his candidacy.

The 2013 New Zealand Labour Party leadership election was the first time Labour members and unions had a direct say. On 15 September 2013, David Cunliffe was elected leader. He had strong support from Labour Party members and unions.

Leader of the Opposition (2013–2014)

Cunliffe speaking at a conference in October 2013

As Leader of the Opposition, David Cunliffe led the Labour Party from outside the government. His election as leader initially boosted support for Labour in opinion polls.

The Labour Party faced challenges leading up to the 2014 general election. There was not much time to prepare a full campaign.

2014 General Election

Labour officially started its campaign for the 2014 general election on 21 July. David Cunliffe announced several key policies. One promise was free doctor visits and prescriptions for pregnant women, children under 13, and people over 65. He said healthcare should be based on need, not how much money someone has.

The election results were challenging for Labour. The party received 25.1% of the votes, which was its lowest share since 1922. The National Party won the election. David Cunliffe first said he would stay on as leader. However, on 27 September, he officially resigned. He later decided not to run in the next leadership election.

Political Views

David Cunliffe has expressed a belief that New Zealand will become a republic in the future. This means New Zealand would have its own head of state, instead of the British monarch.

Life After Politics

After leaving Parliament on 21 April 2017, David Cunliffe joined a management consulting firm. He worked with both government and private businesses. In 2020, he became a director of Polis Consulting Group.

In 2018, David Cunliffe was appointed a Companion of the Queen's Service Order. This award recognized his service as a Member of Parliament.

In February 2020, he became the chair of the Selwyn Foundation. This is a large charity in New Zealand that helps older people and their families.

Personal Life

Family

David Cunliffe's partner is Anna Kominik. He has two sons from his previous marriage. His great-great uncle was Richard Seddon, who was New Zealand's longest-serving Prime Minister.

Religious Views

David Cunliffe was raised in the Church of England, as his father was an Anglican minister. He describes himself as a "liberal Anglican."

See also

• Shadow Cabinet of David Cunliffe

Images for kids

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  Cunliffe closing the 2005 Auckland BioBlitz

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  Cunliffe marching with Labour members in a parade at the Auckland Pride Festival, February 2016