Pete Hodgson

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.

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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.{{cite news |work=Otago Daily Times |title=All Labour's 29 MPs get areas of responsibility |date=28 November 1990 |page=4 }}

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.{{cite web|title=Hon Pete Hodgson|url=http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/MPP/MPs/MPs/2/c/3/49MP1141-Hodgson-Pete.htm|publisher=New Zealand Parliament|access-date=12 May 2011}}

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.{{cite news |title=Minister of the Rings |url= https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=215288 | date=6 September 2011 | work=The New Zealand Herald |access-date=11 November 2019}}

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.

{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/6649507.stm | title=Coalition 'non-starter' says AM | date=13 May 2007 | access-date=13 May 2007 |publisher=BBC News }}

Labour was defeated in the 2008 general election. Hodgson retained his seat with a majority of 7,155.[http://2008.electionresults.govt.nz/electorate-8.html Dunedin North results 2008.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211165006/http://2008.electionresults.govt.nz/electorate-8.html |date=11 December 2008 }}

In opposition, Hodgson was Labour's "chief dirt-digger and mudslinger". The scandals he exposed caused two government ministers to resign.{{cite news |last=Bennett |first=Adam |title=Labour dirt-digger may not hit Key |url= http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10696124 |access-date=23 December 2010 | work=The New Zealand Herald |date=23 December 2010}}

Hodgson retired from politics at the end of the 49th Parliament in 2011, after 21 years as the MP for Dunedin North.{{cite news |url= https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/109398/hodgson-exits-politics-039own-terms039 |title=Hodgson exits politics on 'own terms' |last=Makenzie |first=Dene |date=5 June 2010 |work=Otago Daily Times |access-date=6 June 2010}} He was succeeded by Labour's David Clark.

In 2013, Hodgson was appointed a member of the Representation Commission to determine New Zealand electoral boundaries.{{cite news|last=Collins |first=Judith |title=Representatives chosen to determine electoral boundaries |url=http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/representatives-chosen-determine-electoral-boundaries |date=3 September 2013 |access-date=13 October 2013 |work=beehive.govt.nz}}

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• [http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/MPP/MPs/MPs/2/c/3/49MP1141-Hodgson-Pete.htm Pete Hodgson] at the New Zealand Parliament website

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Category:1950 births

Category:Members of the Cabinet of New Zealand

Category:New Zealand Labour Party MPs

Category:People from Whangārei

Category:New Zealand veterinarians

Category:Massey University alumni

Category:New Zealand MPs for Dunedin electorates

Category:Living people

Category:Members of the New Zealand House of Representatives

Category:21st-century New Zealand politicians

Category:Ministers of health of New Zealand