Rodney Hide - Member of Parliament

Member of Parliament

Parliament of New Zealand
Years Term Electorate List Party
1996–1999 45th List 7 ACT
1999–2002 46th List 5 ACT
2002–2005 47th List 2 ACT
2005–2008 48th Epsom 1 ACT
2008–2011 49th Epsom 1 ACT

Hide first entered Parliament in 1996 as a list MP. He won the party parliamentary leadership role in a closely contested primary after the retirement of Richard Prebble in 2004. He then went on to win the Epsom electorate from sitting National Party MP Richard Worth in 2005 with the campaign message "ACT is back".

Hide had a reputation for strong views, for his media profile, and for his confrontational style. Some commentators dubbed him the "leader of the opposition" when he still sat on the back benches. His supporters often described him as one of the most effective opposition MPs, and praised him for his motivation and commitment.

Read more about this topic:  Rodney Hide

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