Martin Gallagher

For the Australian rugby league player, see Martin Gallagher (rugby league).

Martin Owen Gallagher JP (born 11 February 1952)^[1] is a former New Zealand politician and was a member of Parliament representing the Hamilton West electorate from 1993 until 1996, as well as, from 1999 until 2008. A member of the Labour Party. He went on to serve as a Hamilton City Councillor for the West Ward as well as Deputy Mayor of Hamilton from 1988 to 1993, and again under Andrew King from 2016 to 2019.

Martin Gallagher JP
Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Hamilton West
In office 6 November 1993 – 12 October 1996
Preceded by	Grant Thomas
Succeeded by	Bob Simcock
In office 27 November 1999 – 8 November 2008
Preceded by	Bob Simcock
Succeeded by	Tim Macindoe
Personal details
Born	(1952-02-11) 11 February 1952 (age 73) Hamilton, New Zealand
Political party	Labour
Children	4
Occupation	Teacher

Early life

Gallagher was educated at Hamilton Boys' High School, and the University of Waikato where he completed a Bachelor of Social Science degree. He is a qualified teacher.^[2]

Political career

Member of Parliament

New Zealand Parliament

Years	Term	Electorate	List	Party
1993–1996	44th	Hamilton West			Labour
1999–2002	46th	Hamilton West	none		Labour
2002–2005	47th	Hamilton West	31		Labour
2005–2008	48th	Hamilton West	32		Labour

He was first elected to Parliament in the 1993 election, when he won the Hamilton West electorate. In the 1996 election, however, he was defeated by National's Bob Simcock. In the 1999 election, he won back the electorate. At the 2005 election, he had a slender majority of 825 votes,^[3] 2.0% more than his opponent. In the 2008 general election he was defeated by National's Tim Macindoe.^[4] His list placing of 41 meant that he was not returned to Parliament. The swing in Hamilton West at the 2008 election against Gallagher was less than half the nationwide swing against his Government.

Gallagher was Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Select Committee and formerly the Law and Order Select Committee.

Local body politics

Before standing for Parliament, Gallagher was a councillor for the Hamilton City Council from 1985–1994, and served as Deputy Mayor of Hamilton from 1988 to 1993, and again from 2016 to 2019.^[2][5]

After losing his Parliamentary seat in 2008, Gallagher returned to local body politics. In the 2010 and 2013 local elections, he ran for the Hamilton City Council and the Waikato District Health Board as an independent candidate.^[6][7] He was returned for both positions in each election.^[8][9]

Personal life

Gallagher has four children^[2] and is a cousin of Sir William Gallagher, of the well known Waikato family who run Gallagher Group,^[10] an international farming and security company.

Gallagher is a Justice of the Peace. He returned to teaching after being ousted in the 2008 election.^[11]