Ross Robertson

For the Scottish footballer, see Ross Robertson (footballer).

Harold Valentine Ross Robertson QSO JP (born 22 May 1949), known as Ross Robertson, is a New Zealand politician for the Labour Party. He was a Member of Parliament from 1987 until his retirement in 2014. He also served as president of Parliamentarians for Global Action.^[1]

Ross Robertson QSO JP
Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Manukau East
In office 12 October 1996 – 20 September 2014
Succeeded by	Jenny Salesa
Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Papatoetoe
In office 15 August 1987 – 12 October 1996
Preceded by	Eddie Isbey
Succeeded by	Constituency abolished
Personal details
Born	Harold Valentine Ross Robertson (1949-05-22) 22 May 1949 (age 76) Wellington, New Zealand
Political party	Labour

Early life

Robertson was born in Wellington on 22 May 1949.^[2] Before entering politics, he was an industrial engineer.

Political career

Member of Parliament

New Zealand Parliament

Years	Term	Electorate	List	Party
1987–1990	42nd	Papatoetoe			Labour
1990–1993	43rd	Papatoetoe			Labour
1993–1996	44th	Papatoetoe			Labour
1996–1999	45th	Manukau East	none		Labour
1999–2002	46th	Manukau East	none		Labour
2002–2005	47th	Manukau East	none		Labour
2005–2008	48th	Manukau East	none		Labour
2008–2011	49th	Manukau East	none		Labour
2011–2014	50th	Manukau East	none		Labour

Robertson was first elected to Parliament in the 1987 election, representing Papatoetoe replacing the retiring Eddie Isbey.^[3] He would hold the seat until the 1996 elections, when the Papatoetoe seat was abolished. That same year, Robertson was then elected to represent the replacement seat of Manukau East.^[4] In November 1990 he was appointed as Labour's spokesperson for Energy and Statistics by Labour leader Mike Moore.^[5]

In the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand he was an assistant speaker, able to preside when any of the other presiding officers are unavailable.^[4]

In 2006 Robertson reported to the New Zealand Police that a marijuana dealer was operating next to his electorate office in Ōtara.^[6]

In 2013, Robertson voted against the Marriage Amendment Bill, which aimed to permit same-sex marriage in New Zealand, with fellow Labour MPs William Sio, Rino Tirikatene and Damien O'Connor.

On 6 June 2013, Robertson announced that he would retire from Parliament in order to pursue a career in local-body politics.^[7]

Robertson was appointed a Companion of the Queen's Service Order, for services as a Member of Parliament, in the 2015 New Year Honours.^[8]

Local-body politics

Robertson was elected to the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board in the 2013 Auckland elections^[9][10] and was re-elected in 2016^[11] and 2019.^[12]