Member of Parliament
| Parliament of New Zealand | ||||
| Years | Term | Electorate | List | Party |
| 1990–1993 | 43rd | Dunedin North | Labour | |
| 1993–1996 | 44th | Dunedin North | Labour | |
| 1996–1999 | 45th | Dunedin North | 30 | Labour |
| 1999–2002 | 46th | Dunedin North | 13 | Labour |
| 2002–2005 | 47th | Dunedin North | 13 | Labour |
| 2005–2008 | 48th | Dunedin North | 12 | Labour |
| 2008–2011 | 49th | Dunedin North | 6 | Labour |
Hodgson joined the Labour Party in 1976, and shortly afterwards became the manager for Stan Rodger's successful campaign in the Dunedin North seat. After holding a number of other Labour Party roles, including that of marginal seats organiser, he was himself nominated to replace Rodger in the 1990 elections. He was successful, and has remained the MP for Dunedin North.
When the Labour Party formed a government after the 1999 elections, Hodgson was appointed to Cabinet. During Labour's nine years in power, Hodgeson's portfolios included Economic Development; Tertiary Education; Research, Science and Technology; Health; Transport; Commerce; Land Information; Statistics; Energy (1999–2004); and Fisheries and Forestry. He was also Associate Minister of Health; Industry and Regional Development; and Foreign Affairs.
In May 2007, Hodgson briefed the Welsh Labour Party's executive on the practicalities of co-operation between Welsh parties outside a formal coalition, after the 2007 Welsh Assembly elections led to a Labour minority government looking likely.
Labour was defeated in the 2008 general election. Hodgson retained his seat with a majority of 7,155.
In opposition, Hodgson was Labour's "chief dirt-digger and mudslinger". The scandals he exposed caused two government ministers to resign.
Hodgson retired from politics at the end of the 49th Parliament in 2011, after 21 years as the MP for Dunedin North.
Read more about this topic: Pete Hodgson
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