18 Facts About Maurice Williamson

Maurice Donald Williamson was born on 6 March 1951 and is a New Zealand politician and former diplomat.

Maurice Williamson returned to politics in 2022, successfully contesting the Howick ward of Auckland Council.

Maurice Williamson was a member of Parliament for the National Party, a centre-right political Party in New Zealand, as MP for Pakuranga since the 1987 general election.

Maurice Williamson held a number of ministerial posts, including Minister of Communications, Minister of Broadcasting, Minister of Transport, and Minister of Research, Science and Technology, and associate Minister of Health.

Maurice Williamson was a strong supporter of reform of prostitution law.

Maurice Williamson was suspended from caucus on 22 July 2003, after refusing to curtail his criticism of the National Party leader, Bill English, who he blamed for poor performance in the polls.

Maurice Williamson became known for his candid remarks and humor which often attracted controversy.

Maurice Williamson was given ministerial responsibilities outside of cabinet for Customs, Building and Construction, Statistics and Small Business.

Maurice Williamson was made the acting minister of Worth's portfolios of Internal Affairs, National Library and Archives New Zealand which were subsequently passed on to Nathan Guy.

Maurice Williamson retained his 2008 portfolios of Customs, Land Information and Building and Construction but lost the role of Minister for Small Business to John Banks as part of the new National-ACT Confidence and Supply deal.

Maurice Williamson remained a minister outside of Cabinet, along with Jo Goodhew, Chester Borrows and Chris Tremain, until his resignation from all ministerial portfolios on 1 May 2014.

Maurice Williamson announced that he would not stand for Parliament in the 2017 election.

In 2003, Maurice Williamson suggested that "cities have squandered fortunes upgrading their public transport only to find the car remains the mode of choice for most" and said local government subsidies should be axed for roading maintenance and public transport.

Maurice Williamson said he had an offer to go on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, but had to turn it down due to rules around ministers accepting gifts.

Maurice Williamson was later given approval by the prime minister to go on the show as long as he donated any money received to charity.

Maurice Williamson's speech was praised by Opposition politicians and left-wing media commentators.

Maurice Williamson returned to the New Zealand political scene in 2022 by running for Auckland Council as one of the two councillors for the Howick Ward, which encompasses all of Maurice Williamson's former Pakuranga parliamentary electorate.

Maurice Williamson ran on a ticket with sitting councillor Sharon Stewart, and in October 2022 Maurice Williamson and Stewart were both elected, defeating sitting Howick councillor Paul Young.