Chris Auchinvole

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Chris Auchinvole bigraphy, stories - New Zealand politician

Chris Auchinvole : biography

7 March 1945 –

Chris Auchinvole JP (born 7 March 1945) is a New Zealand politician.

Member of Parliament

In the 2005 election, Auchinvole stood as the National Party’s candidate for the West Coast-Tasman seat. Despite reducing the incumbent’s majority by over 5,568 votes, he was unsuccessful.http://www.electionresults.govt.nz Nevertheless he entered Parliament as a list MP, having been ranked 34th. In the 2008 election, Auchinvole won the electorate with a small majority beating Labour’s Damien O’Connor who had held the seat for many years. Damien O’Connor regained the seat in 2011, despite a record defeat for the Labour Party.

He is a wedding celebrant, and officiated at the wedding in Parliament of fellow MP Tau Henare on 7 March 2012. He was a strong supporter of the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill (in contrast to his Labour counterpart) which sought to legalise same-sex marriage in New Zealand. His speech in support of the bill during its second reading was well-received.

Early years

Auchinvole was born in Prestwick, Scotland, and attended the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst in England. In New Zealand, he has been involved with the export industry, and operated a company based on the West Coast. He has also been involved in the Uniting Church, becoming a lay preacher.

Notes

Category:1945 births Category:Living people Category:New Zealand National Party MPs Category:People from Ayrshire Category:Scottish emigrants to New Zealand Category:People from the West Coast Region Category:New Zealand list MPs Category:People from South Ayrshire Category:New Zealand MPs for South Island electorates Category:Members of the New Zealand House of Representatives