Ryan Alexander Hamilton[1] (born 1979 or 1980)[2] is a New Zealand politician. He has been the Member of Parliament for Hamilton East representing the National Party since the 2023 general election. He was a Hamilton city councillor from 2018 until resigning following his election to Parliament.
Ryan Hamilton | |
|---|---|
.png) Hamilton in 2023 | |
| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Hamilton East | |
| Assumed office 14 October 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Jamie Strange |
| Hamilton City Councillor for the East Ward | |
| In office 22 February 2018 – October 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Philip Yeung |
| Succeeded by | Tim Macindoe |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1979 or 1980 (age 44–45) |
| Political party | National |
| Spouse | Marie |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | University of Waikato |
Political career
editHamilton City Council
editHamilton unsuccessfully ran for the Hamilton City Council in 2004, 2010, and 2016.[3][4][5] He also unsuccessfully ran for election to the WEL Energy Trust and the Waikato District Health Board.[6] He was finally elected to the council in a February 2018 by-election following the death of councillor Philip Yeung.[7] He was elected to a full term in 2019 and in 2022 was the highest-polling councillor in the East Ward.[8]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, he was the only councillor to vote against requiring My Vaccine Pass to enter council facilities.[9]
He formally resigned from his seat on the Council in October 2023 following his election to Parliament.[10]
Member of Parliament
edit| Years | Term | Electorate | List | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023–present | 54th | Hamilton East | 66 | National | |
Hamilton expressed interest in being the National candidate for Hamilton East in August 2022 following David Bennett's decision to retire.[11] He was selected as the candidate in February 2023[12] and placed 66th on the 2023 party list.[13] During the election campaign there was a media exposé on Hamilton's social media history linking him to conspiracy theories about fluoridation in drinking water and others relating to Covid-19 including calling vaccine mandates illegal. Hamilton did not respond to media interview requests but the National Party released an unsolicited statement in Hamilton's name apologising for his past comments.[14]
On election night, Hamilton won the Hamilton East electorate, defeating Labour's candidate Georgie Dansey by 5,060 votes.[15][16]
Personal life
editHamilton is married with three children. His mother, Mavora Hamilton, also served as a Hamilton City Councillor.[17]
References
edit- ^ "Members Sworn". New Zealand Parliament. 5 December 2023.
- ^ "Hamilton City Council by-election candidates". New Zealand Herald. 25 January 2018.
- ^ "Hamilton City Council: Elections 2004 OFFICIAL RESULTS". Hamilton City Council. Archived from the original on 8 December 2004.
- ^ "Progressive election results in Hamilton" (Press release). Hamilton City Council. Scoop. 9 October 2010.
- ^ "Results". Hamilton City Council. Archived from the original on 11 November 2016.
- ^ Wilson, Libby (24 February 2018). "Prostitution bylaw a catalyst for city councillor's interest in politics". Stuff.
- ^ "Ryan Hamilton elected new Hamilton councillor in by-election". Stuff. 18 February 2018.
- ^ "Elections". Hamilton City Council.
- ^ Mather, Mike (30 November 2021). "City councillor votes against use of vaccine pass to enter council facilities". Stuff.
- ^ "Hamilton City Council confirms by-election for Hamilton East". Hamilton City Council. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
- ^ Ward, Stephen (22 August 2022). "Councillors eye National candidacy in Hamilton East for next year". Stuff.
- ^ "Hamilton For Hamilton: Ryan Hamilton Selected As National's Candidate In Hamilton East" (Press release). Scoop. 17 February 2023.
- ^ Coughlan, Thomas (19 August 2023). "Election 2023: Christopher Luxon unveils list, senior MP withdraws". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
- ^ Bradley, Anusha; Ferguson, Susie (18 September 2023). "Ryan Hamilton: National's anti-fluoride, anti-mandate MP-in-waiting". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
- ^ "Waikato election 2023 results: reaction from around the region". The New Zealand Herald. 15 October 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- ^ "Hamilton East - Official Result". Electoral Commission. 3 November 2023. Archived from the original on 23 November 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
- ^ Rowland, Tom (23 February 2018). "New Hamilton city councillor Ryan Hamilton sworn in". The New Zealand Herald.