Hamish McDouall is a New Zealand local government politician and a former mayor of Whanganui.[2][3] He is a member of the New Zealand Labour Party.[4]
Hamish McDouall | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 28th Mayor of Whanganui | |
| In office October 2016 – 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Annette Main |
| Succeeded by | Andrew Tripe |
| Deputy Mayor of Whanganui | |
| In office 2013–2016 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1968 or 1969 (age 55–56)[1] Wanganui, New Zealand |
| Political party | Labour |
| Spouse | Elinor |
| Relations | Jacinda Ardern (distant cousin) |
| Children | 2 |
Biography
editEarly life and career
editMcDouall was born in Wanganui to Shirley (née Sanson) and Gerald McDouall[5] and attended Wanganui Collegiate School. He studied law and arts at the University of Otago. McDouall was a winner on the gameshow Sale of the Century and was the champion of TVNZ's Mastermind programme in 1990, collectively winning nearly $100,000 worth in prizes.[6] His winning specialist subject was The Life & Works of David Bowie.[7] He played both soccer, cricket and represented Whanganui in roller hockey.[8]
He then lived abroad in England, Sweden and Russia before returning to Wanganui in 2001. He then took up work as a barrister and solicitor and worked in corporate, family, and community law. He is the author of four published books.[8]
Political career
editMcDouall joined the Labour Party in 2007 and was Labour's candidate for the Whanganui electorate in 2008, 2011 and 2014, but lost to incumbent Chester Borrows.
At the 2010 local body elections he was elected a member of the Whanganui District Council. After serving one term as deputy mayor to Annette Main, McDouall succeeded the Whanganui mayoralty in the 2016 local government elections. After winning the 2016 election with 39.18% of the popular vote and 2,900 more votes than that of his nearest rival,[9] McDouall was returned to the mayoralty in 2019 unopposed.[10] Mcdouall lost the 2022 mayoral to first time candidate Andrew Tripe.[2][3]
Personal life
editHe has a wife, Elinor, and two children.[8] He is a second cousin of former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.[11]
References
edit- ^ Griffiths, Ethan (10 January 2022). "Whanganui mayor Hamish McDouall will seek third term at 2022 election". Whanganui Chronicle. New Zealand Herald.
- ^ a b "Final result for 2022 local elections". www.whanganui.govt.nz. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
- ^ a b Ellis, Moana (9 October 2022). "McDouall out: Whanganui backs first-timer as new mayor". Manawatu Standard. Stuff. Archived from the original on 27 October 2022. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
- ^ MacDonald, Anne-Marie (22 September 2014). "McDouall rues 'side issues'". Wanganui Chronicle. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
- ^ Wylie, Liz (18 June 2018). "Whanganui Mayor, family farewell loved dad". Whanganui Chronicle. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
- ^ Barrett, Emily (15 October 1990). "'Mastermind' gives second quiz title". The Dominion. p. 17.
- ^ Croot, James (12 January 2016). "NZ Mastermind Hamish McDouall shares his David Bowie moment". Wanganui Chronicle. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
- ^ a b c "McDouall, Hamish". Whanganui Online. 2016. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
- ^ "Election 2016 Results". whanganui.govt.nz. Whanganui District Council. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
- ^ Stowell, Laurel (19 August 2019). "Whanganui Mayor Hamish McDouall elected unopposed". Whanganui Chronicle. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
- ^ Manhire, Toby (19 September 2017). "'My final, final plea': a day in Whanganui with Jacinda Ardern". The Spinoff. Retrieved 6 July 2020.