About David

David is passionate about Hamilton and the Waikato. He believes Hamilton has a great future and wants to deliver the infrastructure for this potential to be achieved. David represented Hamilton East from 2005 to 2020 and is keen on the diversity and demographic changes that have been seen in the city. He is very much aware of how our country can benefit from welcoming others to live and work here.

David attended St John’s College, Hamilton then went to Victoria University of Wellington, graduating in Law and Commerce. He also has a strong farming background.

David’s passion for Hamilton is clear in his advocacy for the Waikato Expressway since being elected in 2005. This lead to this road becoming one of the Roads of National Significance and the $2.1b project is due to be completed in 2020. He has also advocated for, and followed the construction of, the two new senior schools in the North- East of Hamilton; Rototuna Junior High School and Rototuna Senior High School. David is also proud that Hamilton became the first city in New Zealand to be connected under the Ultra-Fast Fibre roll out.

David served under the Bill English- led Government as Minister of Veterans’ Affairs, Minister of Racing,  and Minister of Food Safety. He announced the Government’s repatriation policy to bring home the bodies of loved ones who had been buried overseas between 1955 and 1971. In the Food Safety portfolio, he worked extensively with the honey industry over the development of a definition of Manuka Honey. In the Racing portfolio David brought forward the Racefields legislation that enables the New Zealand industry to get some return on overseas betting.

David has a vision for the future of Hamilton and is advocate for the infrastructure needed for this to happen. David is keen to progress the extension of the Waikato Expressway from Cambridge to Tirau and the foot of the Kaimai Ranges. David is a strong supporter of the University of Waikato Medical School proposal and would like to see that come to fruition in the future.

David is a keen sportsman and likes to play football, tennis, and squash. He is Captain of the Parliamentary Football Team.