Robin Gray (New Zealand politician)

The Honourable Sir Robin Gray
23rd Speaker of the House of Representatives
In office 1990–1993
Prime Minister	Jim Bolger
Preceded by	Kerry Burke
Succeeded by	Peter Tapsell
Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Clutha
In office 1978 – 1996
Preceded by	Peter Gordon
Personal details
Born	(1931-07-02) 2 July 1931 Borgue, Scotland
Nationality	New Zealand
Political party	National
Profession	Farmer

Sir Robert "Robin" McDowall Gray (born 2 July 1931) is a former New Zealand politician. He was an MP from 1978 to 1996, and served as Speaker of the House of Representatives between 1990 and 1993.

Early life

Gray was born in Borgue, Scotland. After serving in the British Army, he moved to New Zealand to take up farming in 1952, eventually settling in Mosgiel.

Member of Parliament

Parliament of New Zealand
Years	Term	Electorate		Party
1978–1981	39th	Clutha		National
1981–1984	40th	Clutha		National
1984–1987	41st	Clutha		National
1987–1990	42nd	Clutha		National
1990–1993	43rd	Clutha		National
1993–1996	44th	Clutha		National

He joined the National Party in 1956, and held a number of positions in its internal hierarchy. In the 1978 elections, he was elected to replace Peter Gordon as MP for Clutha.

Gray became the National Party's Junior Whip in 1985 and the Senior Whip in 1987.

Speaker of the House of Representatives

When National won office in the 1990 elections, Gray was made Speaker of the House of Representatives. After the 1993 elections, however, the National Party held a majority of only a single seat – as the Speaker could not vote, re-appointing Gray to the Speakership would leave Parliament deadlocked. National therefore offered the Speakership to Peter Tapsell of the Labour Party. Gray was appointed to the sinecure of Minister of State, and also became Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs.

In the 1994 New Year Honours, Gray was made a Knight Bachelor. He retired from politics at the 1996 elections.

As Speaker of the House of Representatives, Gray was entitled to the title of The Honourable and became The Hon. Sir Robert "Robin" McDowall Gray which is a title he was granted for the rest of his life after leaving parliament.

Life After Parliament

Gray effectively retired following his stepping down as an MP but still makes occasional appearances and commentary at various Conferences around New Zealand. He has undertaken mild criticsm aimed at the National Party for failing to promote Members interests at conferences to which he achieved a degree of success in ensuring Delegate's had more opportunity for engagement at the formal meetings.

Gray also sits as the Founding President on the Board of Trustees for the New Zealand Business and Parliament Trust [1].

References

Political offices
Preceded by Kerry Burke	Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives 1990–1993	Succeeded by Peter Tapsell
New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by Peter Gordon	Member of Parliament for Clutha 1978–1996	Constituency abolished