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Wikipedia

Shane Jones

Shane Geoffrey Jones (born 3 September 1959) is a New Zealand politician. He served as a New Zealand First list MP from 2017 to 2020 and was previously a Labour list MP from 2005 to 2014.

Shane Jones
Jones in April 2018
3rd Minister for Infrastructure
In office
26 October 2017 – 6 November 2020
Prime MinisterJacinda Ardern
Preceded bySteven Joyce
Succeeded byGrant Robertson
31st Minister for Forestry
In office
26 October 2017 – 6 November 2020
Prime MinisterJacinda Ardern
Preceded byVacant (last held by David Carter)
Succeeded byStuart Nash
1st Minister for Regional Economic Development
In office
26 October 2017 – 6 November 2020
Prime MinisterJacinda Ardern
Succeeded byStuart Nash
Minister for Building and Construction
In office
31 October 2007 – 19 November 2008
Prime MinisterHelen Clark
Preceded byClayton Cosgrove
Succeeded byMaurice Williamson
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for New Zealand First list
In office
23 September 2017 – 17 October 2020
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Labour Party list
In office
17 September 2005 – 22 May 2014
Succeeded byKelvin Davis[n 1]
Personal details
Born (1959-09-03) 3 September 1959 (age 63)
Awanui, New Zealand
Political partyNZ First (2017–present)
Labour (2005–2017)
Spouses
  • Ngareta Jones[1]
  • Dorothy Pumipi[2]
Children7
Alma mater

Jones was a cabinet minister in the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand, becoming Minister of Building and Construction in his first term. He was a senior opposition MP from 2008 to 2014 and contested the leadership of the Labour Party in a 2013 leadership election, but lost to David Cunliffe.[3][4] He left parliament at the end of May 2014[5] before returning as a New Zealand First MP at the 2017 general election. Jones was Minister for Regional Economic Development in the New Zealand First–Labour coalition government.

Early life and career

Jones is Māori, of Te Aupōuri and Ngāi Takoto descent, as well as having English, Welsh and Croatian ancestry.[6][7] He was born in Awanui, near Kaitaia, one of six children to parents Peter, a farmer, and Ruth, a teacher.[8][9]

Jones' secondary education was taken at St Stephen's School, a boarding school for Māori boys in Bombay, south of Auckland.[10] His time there overlapped with future Māori Party MPs Hone Harawira and Te Ureroa Flavell.[10] Jones next studied at Victoria University of Wellington where he earned a Bachelor of Arts.[10] In 1990, he was awarded a Harkness Fellowship to study at Harvard Kennedy School at Harvard University where he completed a Master of Public Administration.[10][11] Jones returned to Victoria University in the 1990s as a lecturer in Māori studies.[12]

Jones was a public servant in the 1980s. He worked in the Māori secretariat in the Ministry for the Environment and later in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, providing advice to the Fourth Labour Government on settling Treaty of Waitangi breaches. When the Fourth National Government began the settlements process in the 1990s, he was brought on as a member of the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission. He became chair of the commission in August 2000 and completed the allocation of fisheries resources among iwi in 2004.[9] He also chaired the Māori-owned fishing corporation Sealord during which period the company was merged with Nippon Suisan Kaisha.[13][14] A 2004 "power list" by the New Zealand Listener ranked him the ninth most powerful New Zealander.[15]

Jones has seven children with his former wife Ngāreta,[8] from whom he separated in 2011.[16] She died from cancer in 2015.[17] Jones began a relationship with former beauty queen Dorothy (Dot) Pumihi in 2011 while she was his campaign manager.[18]

Member of Parliament

New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate List Party
2005–2008 48th List 27 Labour
2008–2011 49th List 16 Labour
2011–2014 50th List 16 Labour
2017–2020 52nd List 8 NZ First

Jones spent twelve years as a member of Parliament—first with the Labour Party for nine years from 2005 to 2014, then with New Zealand First from 2017 to 2020—and was a Cabinet minister under both parties. Although he had often been speculated by the media and among his colleagues as a future leader of the Labour Party,[7] Jones' move away from Labour was not a surprise. Before his election as a Labour MP, Sir Graham Latimer had tried, unsuccessfully, to recruit him for the National Party.[9] Instead, Jones joined Labour in part because he had been impressed by David Lange and the Fourth Labour Government.[8] Over time he felt less comfortable in the "modern Labour Party," and openly stated in 2014 that he was not "naturally left-leaning."[9] He had been speculated as a New Zealand First candidate since at least 2015 before officially joining the party in 2017, in part due to his close relationship with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters.[19][20][21]

 
Jones in 2007

Fifth Labour Government, 2005–2008

After the fisheries settlement was passed by Parliament in 2004, Jones announced he was interested in standing for the Labour Party at the upcoming election. He was approved as the candidate for the Northland electorate and was ranked 27 on the party list. This was the highest position given by Labour to someone who was not already a member of Parliament. While Jones did not win Northland, he entered Parliament as a list MP and was immediately made the chair of the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee.

On 31 October 2007, by then still in his first term, Jones was promoted into Cabinet. He became Minister for Building and Construction and held additional responsibilities as associate minister in charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, Immigration and Trade. He scrapped a government proposal requiring new buildings to have low flow showers heads, prior to the 2008 general election.[22]

Opposition, 2008–2014

Labour was defeated at the election and Jones contested the Northland electorate unsuccessfully, but was returned to parliament as a list member due to his high list placing of 16.[23] Labour lost again in the 2011 election; Jones was defeated in Tāmaki Makaurau but remained a list MP. During his six years as an opposition MP, Jones held various portfolios in the Goff, Shearer and Cunliffe shadow cabinets including building and construction, infrastructure, economic development, transport, fisheries, forestry and Māori affairs.

He was twice removed from his portfolios under controversy. On 10 June 2010, after the release of ministerial credit card records, Jones admitted to having used a Crown credit card for personal expenditure, but assured the public that he had reimbursed the Crown in full for the expenditure. Later that day Jones admitted that he had used the card to hire pornographic films at hotels while on ministerial business.[24] The credit card record showed that he chartered an executive jet for $1200, which he claimed was due to bad weather which forced a change in his schedule.[25] Four days later, opposition leader Phil Goff demoted Jones along with two other Labour MPs for misuse of ministerial credit cards.[26]

As Associate Minister of Immigration in 2008, Jones approved the citizenship application of Labour Party donor, Chinese businessman and later convicted money launderer William Yan, also known as Bill Liu. Four years later, Yan was charged with making false declarations on immigration documents. On 23 May 2012, Jones stood down from the front bench and his shadow portfolios while an investigation took place. Labour Party leader David Shearer asked the Auditor-General to investigate Jones' handling of the citizenship application. Jones had acted against officials' advice that he should decline the application because of questions about Yan's multiple identities and a warrant for his arrest in China. Jones defended his decision, saying it was based on humanitarian grounds because a high-level Government official had told him that Yan faced execution if he returned to China. Shearer said Jones supported the decision to refer the matter to the Auditor-General because Jones must be given a chance to clear his name.[27][28] On 24 May 2012, Yan was found not guilty on all the immigration charges.[29] The Auditor-General investigation commenced on 30 May 2012.[30] When it reported back the following year, it found no evidence that there was any improper motive, collusion, or political interference in the decision to authorise citizenship.[31]

In 2014, while economic development spokesperson, Jones alleged that Progressive Enterprises, owner of Countdown supermarkets, was involved in racketeering and extortion.[32][33][34] A Commerce Commission investigation found no evidence to support the claims.[35]

Leadership contest and resignation

David Shearer resigned the Labour leadership in August 2013. Jones was the second MP to declare his candidacy, following Shearer's former deputy leader Grant Robertson. The pair would be joined by the party's economic development spokesperson David Cunliffe, who secured sufficient support from party delegates to win the leadership. Jones later said his candidacy was to honour Labour stalwart Parekura Horomia who had died earlier that year. Jones won the votes of seven out of 34 caucus colleagues and a minority of members' and affiliated unions' votes. Crucially, he did not have the support of senior Māori Labour MPs Nanaia Mahuta and Louisa Wall.[9]

On 22 April 2014, Jones announced his intention to step down as a Labour Party MP, leaving at the end of May. He was appointed to the newly created role of Pacific Economic Ambassador by Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully.[5] Kelvin Davis succeeded him as Labour list MP.

New Zealand First

 
Shane Jones (Economic Development Minister) at an event at Victoria University of Wellington in 2018

On 30 June 2017, after months of speculation, Jones was confirmed as the New Zealand First candidate for Whangarei for the 2017 general election.[36] Jones was also placed eighth on the party list for New Zealand First, above some of the members of the New Zealand First caucus of the Parliament at the time, increasing his chances of re-entering Parliament.[37] New Zealand online magazine, The Spinoff hosted a live debate on Facebook, among seven of the 2017 election's candidates that the magazine found "most exciting", including Jones, representing New Zealand First.[38] Jones placed third in Whangarei, behind National candidate Shane Reti and Labour candidate Tony Savage,[39] but was elected as one of New Zealand First's nine list MPs.[40]

New Zealand First held the balance of power. Jones was part of the negotiating team that ultimately saw Winston Peters select a coalition with Labour over National. Jones was appointed Minister for Infrastructure, Minister of Forestry and Minister for Regional Economic Development and associate minister for finance and transport.[41] As Minister for Regional Economic Development Jones was responsible for the $3 billion Provincial Growth Fund and announced a number of grants for the development of various regions, e.g. for Southland, the West Coast and the Wairarapa.[42][43][44] The first grants in February 2018 included $6 million for the Whanganui rail line, $5 million for the Napier-Wairoa rail line and $2.3 million for the Gisborne port.[45] Further grants were announced for Hillside Engineering in South Dunedin ($20 million) as a major heavy engineering and KiwiRail servicing hub.[46][47][48] The fund was criticised by National for being a "slush fund" targeted toward marginal electorates and for the links between some fund applications and New Zealand First.[49][50][51]

Jones continued to court controversy in his new party. On 25 September 2019, Jones and Labour MP Kieran McAnulty were ejected from Parliament by the Speaker of the House Trevor Mallard after trading barbs with National MPs during a parliamentary debate about Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's meeting with US President Donald Trump.[52] In mid-October 2019, Jones drew media attention when he was photographed using an AR-15 style rifle while on holiday. The AR-15 rifle was among the semi-automatic weapons banned by New Zealand Government's Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Act 2019 following the Christchurch mosque shootings.[53][54]

Jones drew further criticism when he made a series of anti-Indian remarks in October and November 2019 and again in February 2020. In response to members of the Indian New Zealand community's criticism of Immigration New Zealand's recent decision to tighten partnership visas for those on arranged marriages,[55] Jones had said:

"I would just say to the activists from the Indian community, tame down your rhetoric, you have no legitimate expectations in my view to bring your whole village to New Zealand and if you don't like it and you're threatening to go home – catch the next flight home."[56]

Jones' comments were condemned by the Waitakere Indian Association, who called on Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Minister for Ethnic Communities Jenny Salesa to demand a public apology from Jones and to address the Indian community's concerns.[57][58] A rally in protest of Jones' remarks was held on 3 November 2019 by members of the Migrant Workers Association and Love Aotearoa Hate Racism.[59] Jones' remarks were also condemned by the broadcaster Patrick Gower, who described Jones as a "gutless wonder."[60] Prime Minister Ardern, Trade Minister Damien O'Connor, and Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway have disavowed Jones' remarks as not representative of the New Zealand Government.[61][62] On 5 November 2019, Jones described the community response as a "Bollywood reaction" and claimed that he was speaking for New Zealanders who were anxious about immigration.[62] On 6 November 2019, the Government reversed the partnership visa decision, restoring the exception for non-resident Indian marriages.[63]

The following year, Jones claimed in a television interview that immigration was placing "enormous stress" on the country's social and economic infrastructure and that the large number of international students from India had ruined New Zealand tertiary institutions.[64] Jones' remarks were criticised by Prime Minister Ardern, the Waitakere Indian Association, National Party leader Simon Bridges, Green Party co-leader James Shaw, and Labour MP Iain Lees-Galloway.[65][66] The Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon also condemned them as "racist, ignorant and harmful." Jones defended his comments, claiming that members of the Indian community were exploiting their own people.[67]

As Forestry Minister, Jones' flagship policy was to plant one billion trees. A farmers' protest in November 2019 against the Government's forestry policy caught Jones' ire; he described them as "rednecks."[68] Federated Farmers vice president Andrew Hoggard described Jones' comments as unhelpful and alleged that the Government was ignoring the agricultural sector's concerns.[69][70] In 2020, Jones described climate change activists for advocating reduced meat consumption as "medieval torture chamber workers" hellbent on "preaching this gospel of absolutism" in response to the Government's recent announcement that they would be introducing climate change education in schools.[71][72]

Jones was selected as New Zealand First's Northland candidate for the 2020 election. He was defeated, coming third place with 5,119 votes behind Labour's Willow-Jean Prime (17,066) and National's Matt King (16,903).[73][74] New Zealand First also lost all its parliamentary seats, gaining only 2.6% percent of the party vote, below the five percent threshold needed to enter Parliament.[75] Since leaving Parliament for the second time, Jones has provided media commentary critical of the Sixth Labour Government.[76]

Notes

  1. ^ Normally, list MPs do not have individual predecessors or successors, but Jones resigned during a sitting parliament and therefore was succeeded by Davis.

References

  1. ^ "Jones: 'The right man in the wrong party'". Herald on Sunday. 27 April 2014.
  2. ^ Tracy Watkins, Andrea Vance (1 September 2013). "Labour of love for the partners". Stuff.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  3. ^ Trevett, Claire (22 August 2013). "Jones' hat in ring to lead Labour". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
  4. ^ "Cunliffe wins Labour leadership". Stuff. 15 September 2013. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
  5. ^ a b Trevett, Claire (22 April 2014). "Labour MP Shane Jones to step down". The New Zealand Herald.
  6. ^ . New Zealand Government. Archived from the original on 15 October 2008. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
  7. ^ a b Ralston, Bill (16 June 2007). "The Man from Mangonui". New Zealand Listener. 208 (3501).
  8. ^ a b c "Jones, Shane: Address in Reply – New Zealand Parliament". www.parliament.nz. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  9. ^ a b c d e "'Right man in the wrong party'". NZ Herald. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  10. ^ a b c d "Jones, Shane: Valedictory Statements – New Zealand Parliament". www.parliament.nz. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  11. ^ "Jones nets Cabinet post". Stuff. 31 January 2009.
  12. ^ Metge, Joan; Jones, Shane (1 January 1995). "He Taonga Tuku Ihō no Ngā Tūpuna: Māori Proverbial Sayings — a Literary Treasure". The Journal of New Zealand Studies. 5 (2). doi:10.26686/jnzs.v5i2.471. ISSN 2324-3740.
  13. ^ "Sealord Purchased For NZ$207,750,000". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  14. ^ "Sealord's job catch undersized so far". NZ Herald. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  15. ^ "Scribe's got the power – New Zealand News". NZ Herald. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  16. ^ Vance, Tracy Watkins and Andrea (31 August 2013). "Labour of love for the partners". Stuff. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  17. ^ Team, Waatea (6 September 2015). "Lifelong worker for change Ngareta Jones dies". Waatea News: Māori Radio Station. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  18. ^ Vance, Andrea; Watkins, Tracy (31 August 2013). "Labour of love for the partners". Stuff. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  19. ^ Husband, Dale (5 December 2015). "Shane Jones: No silver spoon. No shyness either". E-Tangata. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  20. ^ Moir, Jo (3 September 2016). "The NZ First succession plan: Shane Jones vs Ron Mark". Stuff. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  21. ^ "Shane Jones to stand for NZ First in Whangarei". RNZ. 30 June 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  22. ^ Gibson, Eloise (15 October 2008). "Low flow shower plan down the gurgler". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 12 June 2010.
  23. ^ "Party Lists of Successful Registered Parties". www.electionresults.govt.nz. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
  24. ^ 3 News (10 June 2010). "Shane Jones talks about porn scandal". 3 News. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
  25. ^ "Shane Jones, Minister of Pornography". Stuff. 10 June 2010. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
  26. ^ "Rising stars to replace shamed trio". The New Zealand Herald. 15 June 2010. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  27. ^ "Businessman not guilty of fraud". The New Zealand Herald. 23 May 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  28. ^ "Shearer stands Shane Jones down". NZ Herald. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  29. ^ Field, Michael (23 May 2012). "Not guilty decision in Yong Ming Yan Case". Stuff. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  30. ^ "Auditor General to investigate Jones". NZ Herald. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  31. ^ "Inquiry into decision by Hon Shane Jones to grant citizenship to Mr Yang Liu". Office of the Auditor-General New Zealand. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  32. ^ "Jones accuses Countdown of corruption". interest.co.nz. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  33. ^ RUTHERFORD, HAMISH (13 February 2014). "Countdown allegations 'very serious' – Minister". Stuff. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  34. ^ "Shane Jones: I'm vindicated – New Zealand News". NZ Herald. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  35. ^ "Countdown off the hook". NZ Herald. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  36. ^ "Shane Jones confirmed as NZ First candidate for Whangarei". Stuff. 30 June 2017. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  37. ^ "Shane Jones in eighth place as NZ First reveals its list". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
  38. ^ "The Spinoff Great Debate – 7pm Tonight on Facebook Live". The Spinoff. 6 September 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
  39. ^ "Whangarei – Official Result". Electoral Commission. from the original on 17 January 2020. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  40. ^ "2017 General Election – Official Result Successful Candidates". Electoral Commission. from the original on 17 January 2020. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  41. ^ "Ministerial List". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  42. ^ "Labour-led government 2017–2020 regional economic development". The Beehive. November 2018.
  43. ^ "Shane Jones reveals the panel who will help steer the $3b Provincial Growth Fund". Stuff (Fairfax). 13 March 2018.
  44. ^ "Southlanders in running for slice of $3-billion Provincial Growth Fund". Stuff (Fairfax). 1 August 2018.
  45. ^ "Shane Jones doles out millions to Northland, Hawkes Bay and (to) rail regeneration". Stuff (Fairfax). 23 February 2018.
  46. ^ McNeilly, Hamish (30 October 2019). "Dunedin projects secure multimillion-dollar Provincial Growth Fund investment". Stuff. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
  47. ^ Loughrey, David (30 October 2019). "$20m to revitalise 'vital' Hillside Workshop". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
  48. ^ "PGF payout: Dunedin gets $40m for Hillside workshop, waterfront". Radio New Zealand. 30 October 2019. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
  49. ^ "The Provincial Growth Fund's last ride". Newsroom. 13 October 2020. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  50. ^ "Shane Jones must explain his shady PGF meetings". New Zealand National Party. Scoop. 21 January 2020. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  51. ^ "National calls for investigation into Shane Jones and forestry company". 1 News. 21 January 2020. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  52. ^ Small, Zane (25 September 2019). "Labour MP Kieran McAnulty booted from House for mocking Simon Bridges". Newshub. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  53. ^ Palmer, Scott (14 October 2019). "Shane Jones photographed with firearm banned in New Zealand". Newshub. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  54. ^ Jancic, Boris (14 October 2019). "Shane Jones on shooting photos: I'm 'more of a shotgun guy'". Newstalk ZB. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  55. ^ Walters, Laura (22 October 2019). "Immigration NZ partnership visa policy labelled 'racist'". Newsroom. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  56. ^ "Indian association demands public apology from Shane Jones". The New Zealand Herald. 26 October 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  57. ^ "WIA condemns statement by Shane Jones". Waitakere Indian Association. Scoop. 25 October 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  58. ^ Bhatia, Ripue (25 October 2019). "NZ First MP Shane Jones under fire for 'derogatory' comments towards Indian community". Stuff. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  59. ^ Tokalau, Torika (3 November 2019). "Migrant and racism action group calls for Shane Jones' resignation for 'blatant racism'". Stuff. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
  60. ^ Quinlivan, Mark (4 November 2019). "'Gutless': Patrick Gower unleashes on Shane Jones following migrant comments". Newshub. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
  61. ^ "Shane Jones' comments about NZ Indian community 'not the position' of Labour, Jacinda Ardern says". 1 News. 4 November 2019. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
  62. ^ a b Small, Zane (5 November 2019). "'Bollywood overreaction': Shane Jones digs in after angering Indian community". Newshub. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
  63. ^ Bradford, Katie (6 November 2019). "Controversial partnership visa decision set to be reversed by Immigration New Zealand". 1 News. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  64. ^ Satherley, Dan (29 February 2020). "Shane Jones says Indian students have 'ruined' NZ academic institutions". Newshub. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  65. ^ McCullough, Yvette (3 March 2020). "PM Jacinda Ardern publicly reprimands Shane Jones over Indian immigrant remarks". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  66. ^ Lynch, Jenna (3 March 2020). "Major ruction in Government over Shane Jones' 'racist' Indian remarks". Newshub. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  67. ^ Ensor, Jamie (3 March 2020). "Shane Jones' Indian comments 'racist, ignorant, harmful' – Race Relations Commissioner". Newshub. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  68. ^ Desmarais, Felix; Devlin, Collette (14 November 2019). "Shane Jones calls protesting farmers 'rednecks' following rowdy march on Parliament". Stuff. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  69. ^ Walls, Jason (14 November 2019). "NZ First Minister Shane Jones calls hundreds of farmer protesters outside Parliament 'rednecks'". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  70. ^ Quinlivan, Mark; Herbert, Delphine (14 November 2019). "Shane Jones' redneck comments 'remarkable show of disrespect' – Todd Muller". Newshub. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  71. ^ "Shane Jones unleashes on 'bible-bashing' climate change activists". Newshub. 20 January 2020. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  72. ^ Walls, Jason (20 January 2020). "NZ First MP and Minister Shane Jones takes aim at 'eco-bible-bashing' climate-change activists". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  73. ^ "Northland – Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  74. ^ Manch, Thomas; Jancic, Boris (18 October 2020). "Election 2020: Shane Jones drowns his sorrows during harrowing night for NZ First". Stuff. from the original on 18 October 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  75. ^ "2020 General Election and Referendums – Official Result Nationwide Party Votes Results". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  76. ^ "Shane Jones: A rerun of St Jacinda and Labouring on with salami politics". NZ Herald. Retrieved 17 November 2022.

External links

  • at Inthehouse.co.nz
  • Profile on NZ Parliament site
Political offices
Preceded by Minister for Building and Construction
2007–2008
Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister for Infrastructure
2017–2020
Succeeded by
In abeyance
Title last held by
David Carter
Minister for Forestry
2017–2020
Succeeded by
New ministerial post Minister for Regional Economic Development
2017–2020

shane, jones, american, author, author, canadian, actor, shane, warren, jones, shane, geoffrey, jones, born, september, 1959, zealand, politician, served, zealand, first, list, from, 2017, 2020, previously, labour, list, from, 2005, 2014, honourablejones, apri. For the American author see Shane Jones author For the Canadian actor see Shane Warren Jones Shane Geoffrey Jones born 3 September 1959 is a New Zealand politician He served as a New Zealand First list MP from 2017 to 2020 and was previously a Labour list MP from 2005 to 2014 The HonourableShane JonesJones in April 20183rd Minister for InfrastructureIn office 26 October 2017 6 November 2020Prime MinisterJacinda ArdernPreceded bySteven JoyceSucceeded byGrant Robertson31st Minister for ForestryIn office 26 October 2017 6 November 2020Prime MinisterJacinda ArdernPreceded byVacant last held by David Carter Succeeded byStuart Nash1st Minister for Regional Economic DevelopmentIn office 26 October 2017 6 November 2020Prime MinisterJacinda ArdernSucceeded byStuart NashMinister for Building and ConstructionIn office 31 October 2007 19 November 2008Prime MinisterHelen ClarkPreceded byClayton CosgroveSucceeded byMaurice WilliamsonMember of the New Zealand Parliament for New Zealand First listIn office 23 September 2017 17 October 2020Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Labour Party listIn office 17 September 2005 22 May 2014Succeeded byKelvin Davis n 1 Personal detailsBorn 1959 09 03 3 September 1959 age 63 Awanui New ZealandPolitical partyNZ First 2017 present Labour 2005 2017 SpousesNgareta Jones 1 Dorothy Pumipi 2 Children7Alma materUniversity of AucklandHarvard Kennedy SchoolJones was a cabinet minister in the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand becoming Minister of Building and Construction in his first term He was a senior opposition MP from 2008 to 2014 and contested the leadership of the Labour Party in a 2013 leadership election but lost to David Cunliffe 3 4 He left parliament at the end of May 2014 5 before returning as a New Zealand First MP at the 2017 general election Jones was Minister for Regional Economic Development in the New Zealand First Labour coalition government Contents 1 Early life and career 2 Member of Parliament 2 1 Fifth Labour Government 2005 2008 2 2 Opposition 2008 2014 2 3 Leadership contest and resignation 2 4 New Zealand First 3 Notes 4 References 5 External linksEarly life and career EditJones is Maori of Te Aupōuri and Ngai Takoto descent as well as having English Welsh and Croatian ancestry 6 7 He was born in Awanui near Kaitaia one of six children to parents Peter a farmer and Ruth a teacher 8 9 Jones secondary education was taken at St Stephen s School a boarding school for Maori boys in Bombay south of Auckland 10 His time there overlapped with future Maori Party MPs Hone Harawira and Te Ureroa Flavell 10 Jones next studied at Victoria University of Wellington where he earned a Bachelor of Arts 10 In 1990 he was awarded a Harkness Fellowship to study at Harvard Kennedy School at Harvard University where he completed a Master of Public Administration 10 11 Jones returned to Victoria University in the 1990s as a lecturer in Maori studies 12 Jones was a public servant in the 1980s He worked in the Maori secretariat in the Ministry for the Environment and later in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet providing advice to the Fourth Labour Government on settling Treaty of Waitangi breaches When the Fourth National Government began the settlements process in the 1990s he was brought on as a member of the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission He became chair of the commission in August 2000 and completed the allocation of fisheries resources among iwi in 2004 9 He also chaired the Maori owned fishing corporation Sealord during which period the company was merged with Nippon Suisan Kaisha 13 14 A 2004 power list by the New Zealand Listener ranked him the ninth most powerful New Zealander 15 Jones has seven children with his former wife Ngareta 8 from whom he separated in 2011 16 She died from cancer in 2015 17 Jones began a relationship with former beauty queen Dorothy Dot Pumihi in 2011 while she was his campaign manager 18 Member of Parliament EditNew Zealand Parliament Years Term Electorate List Party2005 2008 48th List 27 Labour2008 2011 49th List 16 Labour2011 2014 50th List 16 Labour2017 2020 52nd List 8 NZ FirstJones spent twelve years as a member of Parliament first with the Labour Party for nine years from 2005 to 2014 then with New Zealand First from 2017 to 2020 and was a Cabinet minister under both parties Although he had often been speculated by the media and among his colleagues as a future leader of the Labour Party 7 Jones move away from Labour was not a surprise Before his election as a Labour MP Sir Graham Latimer had tried unsuccessfully to recruit him for the National Party 9 Instead Jones joined Labour in part because he had been impressed by David Lange and the Fourth Labour Government 8 Over time he felt less comfortable in the modern Labour Party and openly stated in 2014 that he was not naturally left leaning 9 He had been speculated as a New Zealand First candidate since at least 2015 before officially joining the party in 2017 in part due to his close relationship with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters 19 20 21 Jones in 2007 Fifth Labour Government 2005 2008 Edit After the fisheries settlement was passed by Parliament in 2004 Jones announced he was interested in standing for the Labour Party at the upcoming election He was approved as the candidate for the Northland electorate and was ranked 27 on the party list This was the highest position given by Labour to someone who was not already a member of Parliament While Jones did not win Northland he entered Parliament as a list MP and was immediately made the chair of the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee On 31 October 2007 by then still in his first term Jones was promoted into Cabinet He became Minister for Building and Construction and held additional responsibilities as associate minister in charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Immigration and Trade He scrapped a government proposal requiring new buildings to have low flow showers heads prior to the 2008 general election 22 Opposition 2008 2014 Edit Labour was defeated at the election and Jones contested the Northland electorate unsuccessfully but was returned to parliament as a list member due to his high list placing of 16 23 Labour lost again in the 2011 election Jones was defeated in Tamaki Makaurau but remained a list MP During his six years as an opposition MP Jones held various portfolios in the Goff Shearer and Cunliffe shadow cabinets including building and construction infrastructure economic development transport fisheries forestry and Maori affairs He was twice removed from his portfolios under controversy On 10 June 2010 after the release of ministerial credit card records Jones admitted to having used a Crown credit card for personal expenditure but assured the public that he had reimbursed the Crown in full for the expenditure Later that day Jones admitted that he had used the card to hire pornographic films at hotels while on ministerial business 24 The credit card record showed that he chartered an executive jet for 1200 which he claimed was due to bad weather which forced a change in his schedule 25 Four days later opposition leader Phil Goff demoted Jones along with two other Labour MPs for misuse of ministerial credit cards 26 As Associate Minister of Immigration in 2008 Jones approved the citizenship application of Labour Party donor Chinese businessman and later convicted money launderer William Yan also known as Bill Liu Four years later Yan was charged with making false declarations on immigration documents On 23 May 2012 Jones stood down from the front bench and his shadow portfolios while an investigation took place Labour Party leader David Shearer asked the Auditor General to investigate Jones handling of the citizenship application Jones had acted against officials advice that he should decline the application because of questions about Yan s multiple identities and a warrant for his arrest in China Jones defended his decision saying it was based on humanitarian grounds because a high level Government official had told him that Yan faced execution if he returned to China Shearer said Jones supported the decision to refer the matter to the Auditor General because Jones must be given a chance to clear his name 27 28 On 24 May 2012 Yan was found not guilty on all the immigration charges 29 The Auditor General investigation commenced on 30 May 2012 30 When it reported back the following year it found no evidence that there was any improper motive collusion or political interference in the decision to authorise citizenship 31 In 2014 while economic development spokesperson Jones alleged that Progressive Enterprises owner of Countdown supermarkets was involved in racketeering and extortion 32 33 34 A Commerce Commission investigation found no evidence to support the claims 35 Leadership contest and resignation Edit David Shearer resigned the Labour leadership in August 2013 Jones was the second MP to declare his candidacy following Shearer s former deputy leader Grant Robertson The pair would be joined by the party s economic development spokesperson David Cunliffe who secured sufficient support from party delegates to win the leadership Jones later said his candidacy was to honour Labour stalwart Parekura Horomia who had died earlier that year Jones won the votes of seven out of 34 caucus colleagues and a minority of members and affiliated unions votes Crucially he did not have the support of senior Maori Labour MPs Nanaia Mahuta and Louisa Wall 9 On 22 April 2014 Jones announced his intention to step down as a Labour Party MP leaving at the end of May He was appointed to the newly created role of Pacific Economic Ambassador by Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully 5 Kelvin Davis succeeded him as Labour list MP New Zealand First Edit Shane Jones Economic Development Minister at an event at Victoria University of Wellington in 2018 On 30 June 2017 after months of speculation Jones was confirmed as the New Zealand First candidate for Whangarei for the 2017 general election 36 Jones was also placed eighth on the party list for New Zealand First above some of the members of the New Zealand First caucus of the Parliament at the time increasing his chances of re entering Parliament 37 New Zealand online magazine The Spinoff hosted a live debate on Facebook among seven of the 2017 election s candidates that the magazine found most exciting including Jones representing New Zealand First 38 Jones placed third in Whangarei behind National candidate Shane Reti and Labour candidate Tony Savage 39 but was elected as one of New Zealand First s nine list MPs 40 New Zealand First held the balance of power Jones was part of the negotiating team that ultimately saw Winston Peters select a coalition with Labour over National Jones was appointed Minister for Infrastructure Minister of Forestry and Minister for Regional Economic Development and associate minister for finance and transport 41 As Minister for Regional Economic Development Jones was responsible for the 3 billion Provincial Growth Fund and announced a number of grants for the development of various regions e g for Southland the West Coast and the Wairarapa 42 43 44 The first grants in February 2018 included 6 million for the Whanganui rail line 5 million for the Napier Wairoa rail line and 2 3 million for the Gisborne port 45 Further grants were announced for Hillside Engineering in South Dunedin 20 million as a major heavy engineering and KiwiRail servicing hub 46 47 48 The fund was criticised by National for being a slush fund targeted toward marginal electorates and for the links between some fund applications and New Zealand First 49 50 51 Jones continued to court controversy in his new party On 25 September 2019 Jones and Labour MP Kieran McAnulty were ejected from Parliament by the Speaker of the House Trevor Mallard after trading barbs with National MPs during a parliamentary debate about Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern s meeting with US President Donald Trump 52 In mid October 2019 Jones drew media attention when he was photographed using an AR 15 style rifle while on holiday The AR 15 rifle was among the semi automatic weapons banned by New Zealand Government s Arms Prohibited Firearms Magazines and Parts Amendment Act 2019 following the Christchurch mosque shootings 53 54 Jones drew further criticism when he made a series of anti Indian remarks in October and November 2019 and again in February 2020 In response to members of the Indian New Zealand community s criticism of Immigration New Zealand s recent decision to tighten partnership visas for those on arranged marriages 55 Jones had said I would just say to the activists from the Indian community tame down your rhetoric you have no legitimate expectations in my view to bring your whole village to New Zealand and if you don t like it and you re threatening to go home catch the next flight home 56 Jones comments were condemned by the Waitakere Indian Association who called on Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Minister for Ethnic Communities Jenny Salesa to demand a public apology from Jones and to address the Indian community s concerns 57 58 A rally in protest of Jones remarks was held on 3 November 2019 by members of the Migrant Workers Association and Love Aotearoa Hate Racism 59 Jones remarks were also condemned by the broadcaster Patrick Gower who described Jones as a gutless wonder 60 Prime Minister Ardern Trade Minister Damien O Connor and Immigration Minister Iain Lees Galloway have disavowed Jones remarks as not representative of the New Zealand Government 61 62 On 5 November 2019 Jones described the community response as a Bollywood reaction and claimed that he was speaking for New Zealanders who were anxious about immigration 62 On 6 November 2019 the Government reversed the partnership visa decision restoring the exception for non resident Indian marriages 63 The following year Jones claimed in a television interview that immigration was placing enormous stress on the country s social and economic infrastructure and that the large number of international students from India had ruined New Zealand tertiary institutions 64 Jones remarks were criticised by Prime Minister Ardern the Waitakere Indian Association National Party leader Simon Bridges Green Party co leader James Shaw and Labour MP Iain Lees Galloway 65 66 The Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon also condemned them as racist ignorant and harmful Jones defended his comments claiming that members of the Indian community were exploiting their own people 67 As Forestry Minister Jones flagship policy was to plant one billion trees A farmers protest in November 2019 against the Government s forestry policy caught Jones ire he described them as rednecks 68 Federated Farmers vice president Andrew Hoggard described Jones comments as unhelpful and alleged that the Government was ignoring the agricultural sector s concerns 69 70 In 2020 Jones described climate change activists for advocating reduced meat consumption as medieval torture chamber workers hellbent on preaching this gospel of absolutism in response to the Government s recent announcement that they would be introducing climate change education in schools 71 72 Jones was selected as New Zealand First s Northland candidate for the 2020 election He was defeated coming third place with 5 119 votes behind Labour s Willow Jean Prime 17 066 and National s Matt King 16 903 73 74 New Zealand First also lost all its parliamentary seats gaining only 2 6 percent of the party vote below the five percent threshold needed to enter Parliament 75 Since leaving Parliament for the second time Jones has provided media commentary critical of the Sixth Labour Government 76 Notes Edit Normally list MPs do not have individual predecessors or successors but Jones resigned during a sitting parliament and therefore was succeeded by Davis References Edit Jones The right man in the wrong party Herald on Sunday 27 April 2014 Tracy Watkins Andrea Vance 1 September 2013 Labour of love for the partners Stuff a href Template Cite news html title Template Cite news cite news a CS1 maint uses authors parameter link Trevett Claire 22 August 2013 Jones hat in ring to lead Labour The New Zealand Herald Retrieved 16 September 2013 Cunliffe wins Labour leadership Stuff 15 September 2013 Retrieved 15 September 2013 a b Trevett Claire 22 April 2014 Labour MP Shane Jones to step down The New Zealand Herald Hon Shane Jones New Zealand Government Archived from the original on 15 October 2008 Retrieved 16 March 2014 a b Ralston Bill 16 June 2007 The Man from Mangonui New Zealand Listener 208 3501 a b c Jones Shane Address in Reply New Zealand Parliament www parliament nz Retrieved 17 November 2022 a b c d e Right man in the wrong party NZ Herald Retrieved 17 November 2022 a b c d Jones Shane Valedictory Statements New Zealand Parliament www parliament nz Retrieved 17 November 2022 Jones nets Cabinet post Stuff 31 January 2009 Metge Joan Jones Shane 1 January 1995 He Taonga Tuku Ihō no Nga Tupuna Maori Proverbial Sayings a Literary Treasure The Journal of New Zealand Studies 5 2 doi 10 26686 jnzs v5i2 471 ISSN 2324 3740 Sealord Purchased For NZ 207 750 000 www scoop co nz Retrieved 17 November 2022 Sealord s job catch undersized so far NZ Herald Retrieved 17 November 2022 Scribe s got the power New Zealand News NZ Herald Retrieved 17 November 2022 Vance Tracy Watkins and Andrea 31 August 2013 Labour of love for the partners Stuff Retrieved 17 November 2022 Team Waatea 6 September 2015 Lifelong worker for change Ngareta Jones dies Waatea News Maori Radio Station Retrieved 17 November 2022 Vance Andrea Watkins Tracy 31 August 2013 Labour of love for the partners Stuff Retrieved 17 November 2022 Husband Dale 5 December 2015 Shane Jones No silver spoon No shyness either E Tangata Retrieved 17 November 2022 Moir Jo 3 September 2016 The NZ First succession plan Shane Jones vs Ron Mark Stuff Retrieved 17 November 2022 Shane Jones to stand for NZ First in Whangarei RNZ 30 June 2017 Retrieved 17 November 2022 Gibson Eloise 15 October 2008 Low flow shower plan down the gurgler The New Zealand Herald Retrieved 12 June 2010 Party Lists of Successful Registered Parties www electionresults govt nz Retrieved 1 December 2019 3 News 10 June 2010 Shane Jones talks about porn scandal 3 News Retrieved 10 June 2010 Shane Jones Minister of Pornography Stuff 10 June 2010 Retrieved 10 June 2010 Rising stars to replace shamed trio The New Zealand Herald 15 June 2010 Retrieved 15 June 2010 Businessman not guilty of fraud The New Zealand Herald 23 May 2012 Retrieved 31 March 2020 Shearer stands Shane Jones down NZ Herald Retrieved 17 November 2022 Field Michael 23 May 2012 Not guilty decision in Yong Ming Yan Case Stuff Retrieved 17 November 2022 Auditor General to investigate Jones NZ Herald Retrieved 17 November 2022 Inquiry into decision by Hon Shane Jones to grant citizenship to Mr Yang Liu Office of the Auditor General New Zealand Retrieved 17 November 2022 Jones accuses Countdown of corruption interest co nz Retrieved 17 November 2022 RUTHERFORD HAMISH 13 February 2014 Countdown allegations very serious Minister Stuff Retrieved 17 November 2022 Shane Jones I m vindicated New Zealand News NZ Herald Retrieved 17 November 2022 Countdown off the hook NZ Herald Retrieved 17 November 2022 Shane Jones confirmed as NZ First candidate for Whangarei Stuff 30 June 2017 Retrieved 30 June 2017 Shane Jones in eighth place as NZ First reveals its list The New Zealand Herald Retrieved 12 September 2017 The Spinoff Great Debate 7pm Tonight on Facebook Live The Spinoff 6 September 2017 Retrieved 12 September 2017 Whangarei Official Result Electoral Commission Archived from the original on 17 January 2020 Retrieved 5 November 2020 2017 General Election Official Result Successful Candidates Electoral Commission Archived from the original on 17 January 2020 Retrieved 5 November 2020 Ministerial List Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Retrieved 26 October 2017 Labour led government 2017 2020 regional economic development The Beehive November 2018 Shane Jones reveals the panel who will help steer the 3b Provincial Growth Fund Stuff Fairfax 13 March 2018 Southlanders in running for slice of 3 billion Provincial Growth Fund Stuff Fairfax 1 August 2018 Shane Jones doles out millions to Northland Hawkes Bay and to rail regeneration Stuff Fairfax 23 February 2018 McNeilly Hamish 30 October 2019 Dunedin projects secure multimillion dollar Provincial Growth Fund investment Stuff Retrieved 31 October 2019 Loughrey David 30 October 2019 20m to revitalise vital Hillside Workshop Otago Daily Times Retrieved 31 October 2019 PGF payout Dunedin gets 40m for Hillside workshop waterfront Radio New Zealand 30 October 2019 Retrieved 31 October 2019 The Provincial Growth Fund s last ride Newsroom 13 October 2020 Retrieved 17 November 2022 Shane Jones must explain his shady PGF meetings New Zealand National Party Scoop 21 January 2020 Retrieved 21 January 2020 National calls for investigation into Shane Jones and forestry company 1 News 21 January 2020 Retrieved 21 January 2020 Small Zane 25 September 2019 Labour MP Kieran McAnulty booted from House for mocking Simon Bridges Newshub Retrieved 26 September 2019 Palmer Scott 14 October 2019 Shane Jones photographed with firearm banned in New Zealand Newshub Retrieved 26 October 2019 Jancic Boris 14 October 2019 Shane Jones on shooting photos I m more of a shotgun guy Newstalk ZB Retrieved 26 October 2019 Walters Laura 22 October 2019 Immigration NZ partnership visa policy labelled racist Newsroom Retrieved 7 November 2019 Indian association demands public apology from Shane Jones The New Zealand Herald 26 October 2019 Retrieved 26 October 2019 WIA condemns statement by Shane Jones Waitakere Indian Association Scoop 25 October 2019 Retrieved 26 October 2019 Bhatia Ripue 25 October 2019 NZ First MP Shane Jones under fire for derogatory comments towards Indian community Stuff Retrieved 26 October 2019 Tokalau Torika 3 November 2019 Migrant and racism action group calls for Shane Jones resignation for blatant racism Stuff Retrieved 5 November 2019 Quinlivan Mark 4 November 2019 Gutless Patrick Gower unleashes on Shane Jones following migrant comments Newshub Retrieved 5 November 2019 Shane Jones comments about NZ Indian community not the position of Labour Jacinda Ardern says 1 News 4 November 2019 Retrieved 5 November 2019 a b Small Zane 5 November 2019 Bollywood overreaction Shane Jones digs in after angering Indian community Newshub Retrieved 5 November 2019 Bradford Katie 6 November 2019 Controversial partnership visa decision set to be reversed by Immigration New Zealand 1 News Retrieved 7 November 2019 Satherley Dan 29 February 2020 Shane Jones says Indian students have ruined NZ academic institutions Newshub Retrieved 3 March 2020 McCullough Yvette 3 March 2020 PM Jacinda Ardern publicly reprimands Shane Jones over Indian immigrant remarks Radio New Zealand Retrieved 3 March 2020 Lynch Jenna 3 March 2020 Major ruction in Government over Shane Jones racist Indian remarks Newshub Retrieved 3 March 2020 Ensor Jamie 3 March 2020 Shane Jones Indian comments racist ignorant harmful Race Relations Commissioner Newshub Retrieved 3 March 2020 Desmarais Felix Devlin Collette 14 November 2019 Shane Jones calls protesting farmers rednecks following rowdy march on Parliament Stuff Retrieved 15 November 2019 Walls Jason 14 November 2019 NZ First Minister Shane Jones calls hundreds of farmer protesters outside Parliament rednecks The New Zealand Herald Retrieved 15 November 2019 Quinlivan Mark Herbert Delphine 14 November 2019 Shane Jones redneck comments remarkable show of disrespect Todd Muller Newshub Retrieved 15 November 2019 Shane Jones unleashes on bible bashing climate change activists Newshub 20 January 2020 Retrieved 21 January 2020 Walls Jason 20 January 2020 NZ First MP and Minister Shane Jones takes aim at eco bible bashing climate change activists The New Zealand Herald Retrieved 21 January 2020 Northland Official Result Electoral Commission Retrieved 6 November 2020 Manch Thomas Jancic Boris 18 October 2020 Election 2020 Shane Jones drowns his sorrows during harrowing night for NZ First Stuff Archived from the original on 18 October 2020 Retrieved 18 October 2020 2020 General Election and Referendums Official Result Nationwide Party Votes Results Electoral Commission Retrieved 6 November 2020 Shane Jones A rerun of St Jacinda and Labouring on with salami politics NZ Herald Retrieved 17 November 2022 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Shane Jones politician Valedictory speech at Inthehouse co nz Profile on NZ Parliament sitePolitical officesPreceded byClayton Cosgrove Minister for Building and Construction2007 2008 Succeeded byMaurice WilliamsonPreceded bySteven Joyce Minister for Infrastructure2017 2020 Succeeded byGrant RobertsonIn abeyanceIncluded in role of Minister for Primary IndustriesTitle last held byDavid Carter Minister for Forestry2017 2020 Succeeded byStuart NashNew ministerial post Minister for Regional Economic Development2017 2020 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Shane Jones amp oldid 1136397925 Provincial Growth Fund, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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