Robin Gray (New Zealand politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Robin Gray
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|---|---|
| 23rd Speaker of the House of Representatives | |
| In office 28 November 1990 – 21 December 1993 |
|
| Prime Minister | Jim Bolger |
| Preceded by | Kerry Burke |
| Succeeded by | Peter Tapsell |
| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Clutha |
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| In office 1978–1996 |
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| Preceded by | Peter Gordon |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 2 July 1931 Borgue, Scotland |
| Died | 2 April 2022 (aged 90) Mosgiel, New Zealand |
| Nationality | New Zealand |
| Political party | National |
| Profession | Farmer |
Sir Robert McDowall Gray (2 July 1931 – 2 April 2022), generally known as Robin Gray, was a New Zealand politician. He was an MP from 1978 to 1996, and served as Speaker of the House of Representatives between 1990 and 1993.
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Early life
Gray was born in Borgue, Scotland. After serving in the British Army, he moved to New Zealand to take up farming in 1952,at Waitahuna, Central Otago. After retiring from politics he settled in Mosgiel.
Member of Parliament
| New Zealand Parliament | ||||
| Years | Term | Electorate | Party | |
| 1978–1981 | 39th | Clutha | National | |
| 1981–1984 | 40th | Clutha | National | |
| 1984–1987 | 41st | Clutha | National | |
| 1987–1990 | 42nd | Clutha | National | |
| 1990–1993 | 43rd | Clutha | National | |
| 1993–1996 | 44th | Clutha | National | |
He joined the National Party in 1956, and held a number of positions in its internal hierarchy. In the 1978 election, he was elected to replace Peter Gordon as MP for Clutha.
Gray became the National Party's Junior Whip in 1985 and the Senior Whip in 1987.
Speaker of the House of Representatives
When National won office in the 1990 election, Gray was made Speaker of the House of Representatives. After the 1993 election, however, the National Party held a majority of only a single seat – as the Speaker could not vote, re-appointing Gray to the Speakership would leave Parliament deadlocked. National therefore offered the Speakership to Peter Tapsell of the Labour Party. Gray was appointed to the sinecure of Minister of State, and also became Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs.
In the 1994 New Year Honours, Gray was appointed a Knight Bachelor. He retired from politics at the 1996 election.
As Speaker of the House of Representatives, Gray was entitled to the title of The Honourable, and he was granted use of the honorific for the rest of his life in 1994.
Life after Parliament
Gray effectively retired following his stepping down as an MP but continued to make occasional appearances and commentary at various conferences around New Zealand. He was mildly critical of the National Party for failing to promote members' interests at conferences, to which he achieved a degree of success in ensuring delegates had more opportunity for engagement at the formal meetings.
Gray was the founding president on the board of trustees for the New Zealand Business and Parliament Trust. He died at his home in Mosgiel on 2 April 2022.
