12 Facts About Roger Sowry

Roger Morrison Sowry was born on 2 December 1958 and is a former New Zealand politician.

Roger Sowry is a member of the National Party, and was the deputy leader from 2001 to 2003.

Roger Sowry's education included an American Field Service exchange to Minnesota in 1977, and a Diploma of Business Administration from Victoria University of Wellington.

Roger Sowry joined the National Party in 1977, and was active in its youth wing.

Roger Sowry kept the seat until the 1996 election, when he unsuccessfully contested the new Otaki seat against Labour's Judy Keall and became a list MP.

In 1993, Roger Sowry was appointed as his party's Junior Whip, and in 1995, he became Senior Whip.

Roger Sowry served for a time as Minister in charge of War Pensions, Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, and Associate Minister of Health.

In October 2001, when Bill English displaced Jenny Shipley as leader of the National Party, Roger Sowry became National's deputy leader.

Roger Sowry remained in this position until English himself was displaced by Don Brash in October 2003.

On 13 July 2004, Roger Sowry announced that he would not seek re-election, saying that he was looking for a change of career.

Roger Sowry denied there were tensions between himself and the party's new leadership.

In 2013, Roger Sowry was appointed a member of the Representation Commission to determine New Zealand electoral boundaries.