The Right Honourable Jonathan Lucas Hunt ONZ |
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Jonathan Hunt in 2006, in the penthouse in New Zealand House, London
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26th Speaker of the House of Representatives | |
In office 5 December 1999 – 3 March 2005 |
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Prime Minister | Helen Clark |
Preceded by | Doug Kidd |
Succeeded by | Margaret Wilson |
Member of the New Zealand Parliament for New Lynn |
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In office 1966–1996 |
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Preceded by | Rex Mason |
Succeeded by | Phil Goff |
Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Labour Party list |
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In office 1996–2005 |
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Succeeded by | Lesley Soper |
Personal details | |
Born |
Lower Hutt, Wellington, New Zealand |
2 December 1938
Nationality | New Zealand |
Political party | Labour |
Profession | High school teacher |
Jonathan Lucas Hunt, ONZ (born 2 December 1938) is a New Zealand politician, and was New Zealand's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 2005 to March 2008. He formerly served as Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives. He is a member of the Labour Party, and was until recently the longest-serving MP in Parliament. Hunt is a member of the Order of New Zealand, New Zealand's highest civilian honour. Hunt was given the nickname the "Minister for Wine and Cheese" after his well-known liking of the combo.
Hunt was born in Lower Hutt, but grew up in Palmerston North. He had a twin brother, David, who died four days after they were born. Hunt's father was a child welfare officer, reassigned to the Manawatu in 1942. Hunt was educated at Palmerston North Boys' High School and later Auckland Grammar School, later he enrolled at the University of Auckland, where he gained a BA (Hons) degree in history.
In 1958 Hunt was elected editor of the Auckland University Students' Association's (AUSA) Craccum magazine for the 1959 year. While at University Hunt is also credited with founding the Princes Street Labour branch.
After graduating, Hunt became a History, English and Latin teacher from 1961 to 1966 at Kelston Boys High School in West Auckland where he also coached cricket. He was then a university tutor. Hunt also has a long-standing relationship with the Department of Political Studies at the University, which for many years has collected and archived Hunt's personal and professional papers.