49 Facts About Trevor Mallard

Sir Trevor Colin Mallard was born on 17 June 1954 and is a New Zealand politician and diplomat.

Trevor Mallard was a Member of Parliament from 1984 to 1990 and again from 1993 to 2022.

Trevor Mallard served as Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives from 2017 until 2022.

Trevor Mallard has represented the electorates of Hamilton West, Pencarrow and Hutt South, and was a list member of Parliament between 2017 and 2022.

Trevor Mallard's speakership was remarked on for its contribution to parliamentary culture change, including promoting a more family-friendly environment and removing the requirement for male MPs to wear ties.

In February 2023, Trevor Mallard took up the role of New Zealand ambassador to Ireland.

Trevor Mallard subsequently held a number of teaching jobs in Wellington and the King Country.

Trevor Mallard was secretary of the PPTA's King Country branch from 1979 to 1984.

Trevor Mallard joined the Labour Party in 1972, while a university student.

Trevor Mallard was arrested for disorderly behaviour outside the Springbok rugby team's Rotorua hotel during protests against their 1981 tour of New Zealand, but was found not guilty.

Trevor Mallard held a number of internal party positions until the election of 1984 when he defeated Mike Minogue to become the member of Parliament for Hamilton West.

Trevor Mallard was re-elected in the 1987 election and the Labour government won a second term.

Trevor Mallard was appointed junior government whip from 1987 to 1990, when he became senior whip.

Trevor Mallard lost his seat in the election of 1990.

Trevor Mallard set up a new Labour Party branch in Wainuiomata and recruited 70 new members to the party.

Trevor Mallard then contested the Labour Party nomination in the seat of Pencarrow after Sonja Davies announced her retirement, winning the selection over Eastbourne-based polytechnic lecturer Tricia Thompson.

The electorate was renamed Hutt South in 1996, and Trevor Mallard retained the seat until 2017 when he opted to become a list MP in a bid to become the Speaker of the House.

Trevor Mallard became a senior member of the Labour Party under Clark's leadership and Michael Cullen described him as a member of Clark's inner circle, which included Pete Hodgson, Steve Maharey, Phil Goff and Annette King.

When Labour won the 1999 election, Trevor Mallard was appointed to Cabinet.

Trevor Mallard became Minister of Education, Minister of State Services, and Minister for Sport and Recreation.

In 2004, Trevor Mallard became Co-ordinating Minister for Race Relations, and Minister of Energy.

In September 2006, Trevor Mallard was implicated in the resignation of National Party leader Don Brash after interjecting with an allegation in the House that Brash had engaged in an extramarital affair.

In October 2007, Trevor Mallard punched National Party MP Tau Henare in a scuffle that took place outside the debating chambers.

Trevor Mallard publicly revealed that the woman with whom he had entered a new relationship was former world champion rower Brenda Lawson.

Trevor Mallard pleaded guilty to fighting in a public place and agreed to pay $500 to the Salvation Army's Bridge drug and alcohol programme.

In May 2008, Trevor Mallard was warned by New Zealand's Chief Electoral Officer Robert Peden that signage on his electorate vehicle breached provisions of the controversial Electoral Finance Act and ordered him to update the signage to include an authorisation from party officials.

Trevor Mallard's handling of the education portfolio was strongly criticised by teachers' unions, including the PPTA.

Trevor Mallard later apologised saying he mixed up his passion for rugby with his role as Minister of Sport.

In 2006, Trevor Mallard announced that the government would introduce a policy that encouraged state-owned enterprises to expand into new business areas and diversify in order to build wealth for the country.

In 2007, Trevor Mallard said that the government was likely to be more stringent on state-owned enterprises in relation to social responsibility.

Trevor Mallard explained that social responsibility is one of the core functions of SOEs but not enough was being done.

In 2008, Trevor Mallard implemented a new tool to help small businesses manage hazards.

In July 2008, Trevor Mallard was critical of a TVNZ report into an assault by sports broadcaster Tony Veitch, saying that the report lacked key details, such as not mentioning that an assault took place.

Trevor Mallard was shadow leader of the House from 2011 to 2013 and was elected an assistant Speaker of the House in 2014.

In February 2012, Trevor Mallard was accused of ticket scalping on Trade Me when he sold four tickets to the Homegrown music festival for a $246 profit.

Trevor Mallard later offered to refund the money he received for the tickets.

Trevor Mallard served as Chairperson of several committees including the Business and Officers of Parliament select committees, and the Parliamentary Services Commission.

In November 2017, Trevor Mallard announced that the New Zealand Parliament would be becoming more "baby friendly" while posing for a photo with fellow Labour MP Willow-Jean Prime's baby Heeni.

On 22 August 2019, Trevor Mallard attracted media attention in New Zealand and abroad when he fed Labour MP Tamati Coffey's infant son Tutanekai Smith-Coffey during a parliamentary debate.

On 9 February 2021, Trevor Mallard ejected Maori Party Co-Leader Rawiri Waititi from parliamentary proceedings after he defied Parliament's business attire rule by wearing a Maori hei tiki neck tie instead of a formal necktie.

In late January 2020, Trevor Mallard was sued by a parliamentary staff member who alleged that the Speaker had defamed him by claiming in May 2019 that a rapist was working at Parliament.

On 8 December 2020, Trevor Mallard apologised to the staff member and it was announced that both parties considered the matter closed.

On 16 December 2020, Trevor Mallard appeared before the Governance and Administration Select Committee where he apologised for calling the former staff member a rapist.

On 13 June 2022, Ardern confirmed that Trevor Mallard would resign from his position as Speaker of the House in mid-August 2022 to take up a diplomatic post in Europe.

Sharma alleged that Trevor Mallard had informed the Labour Whips office about Sharma's complaint against the party and whips.

Trevor Mallard gave his valedictory speech to Parliament on 20 October 2022, and his resignation as a list MP took effect at the end of that day.

Trevor Mallard announced his separation from wife Stephanie in June 2007 after 33 years of marriage.

Trevor Mallard has three children, one of whom is a Black Fern, Beth Mallard.

Trevor Mallard is interested in outdoor recreation, including rugby and mountain biking.