Biography

Annette King's biography

Annette King

Rongotai
Deputy Leader, MP for Rongotai, Minister of Justice, Minister of Police, Minister of Transport

Educated at Murchison District High School and Waimea College, Annette King has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Waikato University. Qualifying with a Post Graduate Diploma in Dental Nursing in 1981, she worked as a dental nurse over 1967-81 and as a tutor at the School of Dental Nurses in Wellington over 1982-84. Over 1991-93 she held the position of Chief Executive at the Palmerston North Enterprise Board. Annette King has been a member of the Labour Party since 1972 and has held various offices, notably being an executive member over 1991-92. In 1984 she was elected as the Labour Party MP for Horowhenua, after which she was appointed Under-Secretary to the Ministers of Social Welfare, Tourism, Employment and Youth Affairs. Over 1989-90 she held the portfolios of Employment, Immigration and Youth Affairs, also having a special role as the Minister assisting the Prime Minister to liaise between Cabinet and Caucus.

Lost seat in 1990.
Elected MP for Miramar 1993.
Elected MP for the new MMP electorate of Rongotai, which includes the Chatham Islands, since 1996.
Became Minister of Health and Minister for Racing in 1999.
Continued with Health and took up the new Food Safety portfolio following the 2002 election.
After the 2005 election she became Minister of State Services and Minister of Police, while maintaining the Food Safety portfolio.
Appointed Minister of Transport in May, 2006.
Appointed Minister of Justice in October, 2007.
Her election majority in 2005 was 12,638.

Annette King is married, lives in the Rongotai electorate and has one adult daughter. Her hobbies include cooking for friends.