David Cunliffe

The Honourable
David Cunliffe
QSO
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
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
Te Aroha, New Zealand
Political party Labour
Spouse(s) Karen Price (c.1984–2015)[1]
Relations Richard Seddon (great-great uncle)
Children 2
Alma mater

David Richard Cunliffe QSO (born 30 April 1963) is a New Zealand politician who was Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the New Zealand Labour Party, serving from September 2013 to September 2014. A former Labour Member of Parliament (MP) for New Lynn, he served as the Minister of Health, Minister for Communications and Information Technology and Minister of Immigration, as well as a range of associate economic portfolios for the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand from October 2007 until November 2008.

After the defeat of the Labour Party in the 2008 general election, and the resignation of Helen Clark as the party leader, Cunliffe was appointed the party's finance spokesman and number three on the front bench.[2] After Labour lost the 2011 general election and Phil Goff stood down as party leader, Cunliffe ran for the leadership, but narrowly lost to David Shearer.

On 26 August 2013, Cunliffe announced a second leadership bid after David Shearer's departure from the leadership and was elected on 15 September 2013. Following Labour's defeat at the general election in September 2014, he resigned as leader of the Labour Party.[3] On 1 November 2016, Labour leader Andrew Little announced that Cunliffe would not seek re-election at the 2017 general election, and would likely step down late in 2017 to avoid triggering a by-election in New Lynn.[4]

Early life

Cunliffe was born in Te Aroha on 30 April 1963.[5] His family moved to Te Kuiti, then to Pleasant Point. His father, Bill, an Anglican minister, was active in the Labour Party.[6] As a teenager he won a scholarship to study the International Baccalaureate at the United World College of the Atlantic in Wales. Cunliffe studied politics at the University of Otago, where he was a member of the Otago University Debating Society, and gained a BA with first-class honours. He worked as a diplomat from 1987 to 1994 and gained a Diploma in Social Sciences (Distinction) in economics from Massey University in 1993. He was a Fulbright Scholar and Kennedy Memorial Fellow at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, including some courses at Harvard Business and Law School in 1994 and 1995, earning a Master of Public Administration. He worked as a management consultant with The Boston Consulting Group in Auckland from 1995 to 1999.[7]

Member of Parliament 1999-2017

New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate List Party
1999–2002 46th Titirangi 52 Labour
2002–2005 47th New Lynn 37 Labour
2005–2008 48th New Lynn 31 Labour
2008–2011 49th New Lynn 8 Labour
2011–2014 50th New Lynn 3 Labour
2014–2017 51st New Lynn 1 Labour

Cunliffe was first elected to Parliament in the 1999 election, standing as the Labour candidate for the Titirangi seat. Since the 2002 election he has represented the seat of New Lynn. At the 2005 election, Cunliffe was returned with 18,087 votes (8,000 more than his nearest opponent) or 55% of the electorate vote.[8] He retained his seat in the 2008, 2011, and 2014 elections.

Cabinet minister

Cunliffe was a member of the Cabinet of New Zealand as the Minister of Health, and Minister for Communications and Information Technology in the Fifth Labour Government until Labour lost the election in 2008.

Cunliffe closing the 2005 Auckland BioBlitz

In the 2002–2005 Parliament he held the ICT portfolios and was Associate Minister of Finance and Revenue, after previously serving as Parliamentary Private Secretary for Finance and Commerce.

During his first term (1999–2002) he served as Chair of the Commerce Select Committee, and sat on the Finance and Expenditure and Regulations Review select committees.

In 2006, in his previous role as Immigration Minister, he announced a major review of the Immigration Act 1987.[9] As Minister for Communications and Information Technology he announced extensive pro-competitive reform of the telecommunications sector, including local loop unbundling and operational separation of then Telecom New Zealand.[10]

In May 2006 Cunliffe was referred to the Securities Commission by the NZX for commenting on Telecom's future dividend plans,[11] causing Telecom's stock price to drop. The Securities Commission found that no law had been breached and no action was taken.[12]

On 30 June 2008 Cunliffe was conferred the title of Honorary Fellow of the NZCS (HFNZCS) by the New Zealand Computer Society, the professional body of the ICT profession in recognition of his significant contribution to the ICT sector.[13][14]

District Health Board controversy

In February 2008, as the Minister of Health, Cunliffe dismissed the Hawke's Bay District Health Board over political, monetary and conflict of interest troubles.[15] Napier Mayor Barbara Arnott and a number of members of the district voiced opposition to Cunliffe's move as many of the board members were democratically elected.[16] Following the release of a Health Ministry-commissioned independent report into the matter, Cunliffe referred to the board as "nasty little nest of self-perpetuating provincial elites".[17]

In Opposition (2008–2013)

After the 2008 general election defeat of the Labour Party, Cunliffe was made Labour's spokesman for Finance, shadowing National's Finance Minister, Bill English. Cunliffe had been touted as a future leader of the party, and party insiders had suggested he seriously considered challenging Phil Goff as leader in the aftermath of the 2008 election. Speculation of a leadership challenge again arose during the June 2010 expenses scandal and again after the "Cartergate" affair.

After Labour lost the 2011 general election and Goff stood down, Cunliffe ran for the party leadership with Nanaia Mahuta on a ticket for deputy leader. Grant Robertson and David Parker also entered the race, but subsequently backed David Shearer, who won the high-profile race. Robertson became Deputy Leader, while Parker took Cunliffe's finance spokesmanship. Shearer retained Cunliffe in a senior role on the front bench, with the Economic Development and Associate Finance roles.[18]

In November 2012 during a Labour Party conference, there was much media speculation Cunliffe would launch a challenge against David Shearer for leadership of the party.[19] On the morning of 19 November, Cunliffe confirmed he was not challenging Shearer, and would indeed back him if a vote was taken.[20]

Labour Party leadership contest

On 22 August 2013, Shearer announced his resignation as leader of the Labour Party. Cunliffe was expected to make another bid for the leadership but did not confirm his candidacy immediately.[21] Victoria University of Wellington's iPredict online predictions market showed the probability of Cunliffe becoming the next leader of the Labour Party at 66%, compared to under 26% support for Shearer's deputy Grant Robertson, social development spokesperson Jacinda Ardern was at 5%, and list MP and former union leader Andrew Little was on 2%.[22]

Cunliffe formally entered the 2013 New Zealand Labour Party leadership election during a press conference in his New Lynn electorate office [23] His announcement came in the wake of a ONE News Colmar Brunton poll released by the current affair program Q+A which showed Cunliffe winning the support of 29% of the eligible voters asked, and 32% of those polled who support Labour. Challengers Shane Jones and Grant Robertson were on 11% and 10%, respectively.[24] After the first public Labour Party leadership selection process in New Zealand history, Cunliffe was elected leader on 15 September 2013.[25] He won with the support of 32% of the Labour Party caucus, 60% of Labour Party members, and 70% of affiliated unions.[26]

Leader of the Labour Party 2013-2014

Cunliffe speaking in October 2013

Cunliffe had strong support from the Labour Party membership. In the leadership contest he won first-preference votes from only one-third of Labour MPs.[27] His leadership of the party was marked by continued infighting and instability.

With little time to make the structural changes needed to build a proper campaign and a Party marked by continued infighting, Labour performed poorly in the public opinion polls 2014 campaign. It was, as Cunliffe was to say later, “the craziest and in some ways the most unfortunate campaign in recorded memory”.[28]

2014 general election

Labour launched its campaign for 2014 New Zealand general election in Auckland on 21 July. Cunliffe announced several flagship election policies, including a promise of free GP visits and prescriptions to pregnant women and those aged under 13 and over 65.[29] In a speech he stated, "We are basing our policies on a very old idea. That your healthcare is based on your health need, not on the size of your wallet."[29]

Cunliffe's performance in the leadership debates was viewed as mixed. Cunliffe was judged to have performed poorly in the 2 September The Press leaders' debate. Key claimed a win after Cunliffe could not answer whether family homes held in a trust would be exempt under Labour's capital gains tax policy.[30] but then went on to recover in the second and third debates [31]

Cunliffe led the party to its worst general election result since 1922.[32] The National Party returned to power with 48.1% of the vote (its best result since 1951) while Labour claimed just 24.7%.[32] Cunliffe initially vowed to remain as the party leadership, despite the poor election result. On 27 September Cunliffe formally resigned as leader but announced he was re-contesting in the 2014 leadership election.[33] Later on 13 October, he announced he was pulling out of the leadership race.[33]

Political views

Cunliffe is generally liberal when it comes to conscience issues. He voted in favour of the decriminalisation of prostitution, the establishment of civil unions, and the criminalisation of parental corporal punishment. He voted against defining marriage as between one man and one woman, and voted in favour of legalising same-sex marriage. In 2006, he voted in favour of raising the legal drinking age from 18 to 20, but voted against it in 2012.[34]

Cunliffe has expressed a view that New Zealand will become a Commonwealth republic in the future. During the Address-In-Reply debate on 4 September 2002, Cunliffe said: "A New Zealand where we journey together towards maturity as a nation, and to the Commonwealth republic I personally believe we will become before the Treaty turns 200".[35]

Life after politics

Following his retirement from Parliament in 21 April 2017, Cunliffe joined the New Zealand-based management consultancy firm Stakeholder Strategies as a Partner, working for a range of public and private sector clients.

In the 2018 New Year Honours, Cunliffe was appointed a Companion of the Queen's Service Order, for services as a member of Parliament.[36]

Personal life

Family

Cunliffe married Auckland lawyer Karen Price when he was 21 and she was 19. They had two sons, and lived in the Auckland suburb of Herne Bay.[6] They separated in 2015.[1] Cunliffe's father Bill was born in Ngahere in 1915 and worked at the railways. His great-grandfather, William Cunliffe, married Phoebe Seddon, the elder sister of Richard Seddon, who would later become known as 'King Dick'. Seddon, New Zealand's longest serving prime minister, was thus Cunliffe's great-(great-)uncle.[37]

Religious views

Cunliffe is the son of an Anglican minister, and was raised in the Church of England. He has described himself as a "liberal Anglican," and an "infrequent attender of church, but it's a big part of my life."[38] He attends St Matthew's Anglican Church in Auckland, and is a supporter of the Auckland City Mission.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Young, Audrey (24 March 2015). "David Cunliffe confirms he and wife Karen Price have separated". The New Zealand Herald.
  2. ↑ Audrey Young (12 November 2008). "Goff plans radical shake-up at the top". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 12 November 2008.
  3. ↑ Howie, Cherie (27 September 2014). "David Cunliffe resigns as leader". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  4. ↑ "David Cunliffe to retire from politics". NZ Herald. 1 November 2016. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  5. ↑ Taylor, Phil (5 July 2014). "Unauthorised biography of David Cunliffe: The man who would be PM". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 5 July 2014.
  6. 1 2 Taylor, Phil (24 November 2012). "The other David". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
  7. ↑ "Hon David Cunliffe". New Zealand Parliament. Archived from the original on 17 October 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
  8. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 14 June 2007. Retrieved 24 March 2007.
  9. ↑ "Immigration Act to drop 'Zaoui' law". NZPA. 8 August 2007. Retrieved 22 March 2008.
  10. ↑ "Cunliffe: Vision 2011 – Roadmap to the Top" (Press release). New Zealand Government. 28 June 2006. Archived from the original on 20 September 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2008.
  11. ↑ Dickens, David (17 May 2006). "NZX reports Cunliffe to Securities Commission". techday. Archived from the original on 23 February 2013. Retrieved 6 September 2011.
  12. ↑ "Cunliffe won't be reprimanded for Telecom comments, says PM". Nzherald.co.nz. 2006-05-22. Retrieved 2017-04-01.
  13. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 18 October 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2008.
  14. ↑
  15. ↑ Martin Kay (27 February 2008). "Health Minister fires Hawke's Bay DHB". The Dominion Post. Retrieved 22 March 2008.
  16. ↑ "Locals back sacked Health Board". TVNZ. 29 February 2008. Archived from the original on 4 April 2008.
  17. ↑ David Cunliffe (18 March 2008). Hawke’s Bay District Health Board—Conflicts of Interest Report (Speech). Debating Chamber of the New Zealand House of Representatives. Archived from the original on 1 March 2012. Speech video on nzherald.co.nz
  18. ↑ "David Cunliffe". New Zealand Labour Party. Archived from the original on 3 May 2012.
  19. ↑ "Labour's Shearer still under pressure". 3 News NZ. 18 November 2012. Archived from the original on 14 October 2013.
  20. ↑ "Cunliffe: I'm backing Shearer". 3 News NZ. 19 November 2012.
  21. ↑ Stuff.co.nz "David Shearer quits as Labour leader." (22/08/13, retrieved 23/08/13)
  22. ↑ MSN NZ.co.nz "Cunliffe leading iPredict stakes." (23/08/13, retrieved 23/08/13).
  23. ↑ Cunliffe announces Labour bid. Stuff.co.nz (26/08/13, retrieved 26/08/13).
  24. ↑ Grant Robertson confirms bid for Labour leadership. One News, (26/08/13)
  25. ↑ Tracy Watkins; Michael Fox & Andrea Vance. "Cunliffe wins Labour leadership". Stuff.co.nz. Fairfax NZ. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  26. ↑ Farrar, David (15 September 2013). "Cunliffe wins". Kiwiblog. Archived from the original on 22 November 2013. Retrieved 5 December 2013.
  27. ↑ Solutions, EIU Digital (17 September 2013). "New Labour leader chosen". country.eiu.com. Archived from the original on 24 September 2016. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  28. ↑ Toby Manhire. "New Zealand election: John Key's National party on course for victory | World news". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 21 March 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  29. 1 2 "Labour promises free GP visits". 3 News. 10 August 2014. Archived from the original on 13 January 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  30. ↑ "Key lands hit on Cunliffe over capital gains tax". Television New Zealand. 2 September 2014. Archived from the original on 21 September 2016. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  31. ↑ Vernon Small (2014-09-02). "Leaders debate reveals more even contest". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 2017-04-01.
  32. 1 2 Peters, Tom (22 September 2014). "New Zealand election: Labour's worst defeat in 92 years – World Socialist Web Site". www.wsws.org. Archived from the original on 16 September 2016. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  33. 1 2 "Labour leadership's turbulent ride". The New Zealand Herald. 13 October 2014. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  34. ↑ "Parliamentary Conscience Votes Database – David Cunliffe". Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  35. ↑ "David Cunliffe: Address-In-Reply speech". Archived from the original on 9 October 2007. Retrieved 1 August 2006.
  36. ↑ "New Year honours list 2018". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 30 December 2017. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  37. ↑ "Cunliffe's great-uncle Dick". Grey Star. Archived from the original on 23 January 2015. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  38. ↑ David Cunliffe interview, "Vote Chat 2011." (26/08/11)

Further reading

  • "ICT leaders election forum 2005 [videorecording: DVD]". Wellington, [N.Z.]: InternetNZ. c. 2005. . This was a discussion forum about information technology policy – the National Party's Maurice Williamson was also a participant.
New Zealand Parliament
New constituency Member of Parliament
for Titirangi
1999–2002		 Constituency abolished
Member of Parliament
for New Lynn
2002–2017		 Succeeded by
Deborah Russell
Political offices
Preceded by
Pete Hodgson		 Minister of Health
2007–2008		 Succeeded by
Tony Ryall
Preceded by
Bill English		 Shadow Minister of Finance
2008–2011		 Succeeded by
David Parker
Preceded by
David Shearer		 Leader of the Opposition
2013–2014		 Succeeded by
Andrew Little
Party political offices
Preceded by
David Shearer		 Leader of the Labour Party
2013–2014		 Succeeded by
Andrew Little
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