NORML MP Database June 1999

Archive Page! This is the 1999 NORML MP database. You probably want the 2004 NORML MP databse.

Contacting your Member of Parliament is one of the most powerful things you can do to help reform New Zealand's drug laws. Public opinion supports cannabis law reform, but prohibition itself works to suppress debate because users fear speaking publically about their criminal behaviour, while non-using law reform supporters tend to not speak out for fear of being branded a cannabis user. As a result, few people contact their MPs about this issue, therefore many MPs do not believe there is much support, therefore to take a position on this issue, they believe, would cost them votes. If you support law reform, you must tell your MP! Write to them, call them, fax them, visit them; email them; but most importantly, do something! If you don't, then who will?

NORML MP DATABASE AS AT JUNE 1999

TOTAL MPs: 120 REFORMERS: 33 PROHIBITIONISTS: 35 EVASIVE (WILL NOT STATE POSITION): 26 UNKNOWNS (WILL NOT REPLY): 26

KEY: + supports law reform or an inquiry - anti law reform E evasive U position unknown

U Arthur Anae (National List) unknown

- Jim Anderton (Wigram - Alliance Leader) claims marijuana is being "introduced" to NZ, rambles about the "TCP" in marijuana, "gateway drug", infers that drinking in moderation should be encouraged while cannabis and tobacco should be banned.

+ Shane Ardern (Taranaki-King Country - National) member of health committee. Supporter.

U Donna Awatere-Huata (Act List) against?

- John Banks (Whangarei - National) One of the staunchest supporters of marijuana prohibition (he made his fortune peddling alcohol).

E Richard Barker (Tuki Tuki - Labour) evasive, has admitted to trying cannabis.

+ Tim Barnett (Christchurch Central - Labour) supportive of law reform. Supports a royal commission of inquiry, decriminalisation, hemp, medical marijuana.

E Ann Batten (NZ First List) evasive.

- Bill Birch (Port Waikato - National) is outwardly opposed to reform.

E Jenny Bloxam (NZ First List) evasive.

- Max Bradford (Rotorua - National) "does not support a relaxation of laws governing the use of marijuana..."

- Geoffrey Braybrooke (Napier - Labour) supports present laws.

U Peter Brown (NZ First List) unknown.

- Gerry Brownlee (Ilam - National) anti.

E Phillida Bunkle (Alliance health spokesperson) somewhat supportive, but not yet publically.

E Mark Burton (Taupo - Labour) evasive.

E David Carter (Banks Peninsula - National) evasive.

- John Carter (Northland - National) supports marijuana prohibition although he admits the police and courts can't cope.

+ Helen Clark (Owairaka - Labour) attracted lots of publicity with her 'Spot Fines' proposal, similar to that in South Australia, but has made little noise on the subject since.

+ Pam Corkery (Alliance List) supportive of law reform - has tried cannabis.

- Wyatt Creech (Wairarapa - National) Minister of Health.

E Dr Michael Cullen (Dunedin South - Labour) evasive, won't say own position, but does point to Helen Clark's spot fines speech.

+ Lianne Dalziel (Labour List) supports decriminalisation, and/or holding a national referendum. She says the huge amounts of public money could be "better spent on education and treatment", but she needs to see more public support before she will act. "However, I know that alcohol and cannabis have a greater effect on people with mental illness, and that self medication amongst younger mental health patients sometimes leads to the very serious offences and situations that have been in the media lately."

+ Tuariki John Delamere (Te Tai Rawhiti - NZ First) supports harm miminisation and decriminalisation.

+ Rod Donald (Green Party/Alliance List) Green Party Co-Leader, supportive of reform, has tried cannabis.

U Brian Donnelly (NZ First List) unknown.

- Peter Dunne (Ohariu-Belmont - United) "I am opposed to any change in the existing situation." - has tried cannabis.

E Harry Duynhoven (New Plymouth - Labour) evasive.

+ Ruth Dyson (Labour List) is a supporter of decriminalisation.

- Paul East (National List) is a supporter of marijuana prohibition.

+ Jack Elder (NZ First List) supports "further investigation of the effects of marijuana and the effectiveness of our laws relating to it." Has remained conspicuously quiet since the election and his appointment as Minister of Police, suggesting we could wipe records after 5 years in reply to Doug Graham's call for decriminalisation.

- Bill English (Clutha-Southland - National) thought to be anti-drugs.

E Phillip Taito Field (Mangere - Labour) evasive.

+ Jeanette Fitzsimons (Green Party/Alliance List) Green Party Co-leader, supportive of law reform, has admitted to trying cannabis.

- Christine Fletcher (Epsom - National) is "strongly opposed to any decriminalisation" and calls cannabis a gateway drug; "...cannabis should, as a harmful drug, remain illegal under New Zealand's laws."

U Grant Gillon (Alliance List) unknown.

+ Phil Goff (New Lynn - Labour) supports low penalties for personal use, but not decriminalisation because "abuse...has harmful side effects." Supports "some liberalisation in bona fide cases where marijuana can have medical benefits for cancer patients."

U Liz Gordon (Alliance List) unknown.

U Mark Gosche (Labour List) unknown.

+ Doug Graham (National List) Minister of Justice, supports decriminalisation.

E Peter Gresham (National) evasive.

U Frank Grover (Alliance List) unknown.

+ Laila Harre (Alliance List) supportive of decriminalisation, has admitted to trying cannabis.

- Marie Hasler (Waitakere - National) prohibitionist.

+ Joe Hawke (Labour List) supports decriminalisation, a royal commission, hemp, medical uses.

- George Hawkins (Manuwera - Labour), 'tough on crime' anti-drugs stand.

- Tau Henare (Te Tai Tokerau - Mauri Pacific) strong anti-drug views.

U Gavin Herlihy (Otago - National) unknown.

+ Rodney Hide (Act List) supports decriminalisation.

+ Marion Hobbs (Labour) unsure between decrim or legalisation. Wants info/advice.

+ Peter Hodgson (Dunedin North - Labour) supports Helen Clarks position of spot fines.

+ Jonathan Hunt (Labour List) the longest serving current MP, he has said "the time is right for a reconsideration of this whole subject" and that marijuana prohibition should be "considered by a select committee".

U Owen Jennings (Act List) unknown - could be swayed on hemp arguments?

E Judy Keall (Otaki - Labour) evasive.

E Graham Kelly (Mana - Labour) evasive.

E Doug Kidd (Kaikoura - National, Speaker of the House) evasive.

+ Annette King (Rongotai - Labour) evasive, but wants to hear more. Has admitted to trying cannabis.

- Neil Kirton (Independent List) - prohibitionist, anti-abortionist etc.

U Alamein Kopu (Independent List) unknown.

- Warren Kyd (Hunua - National) prohibitionist.

+ Sandra Lee (Alliance List) In '95 she wanted to decriminalise, early '96 she talked of the "highly addictive TCP" in marijuana. She has now said "the criminalisation of marijuana is not working. It is readily available for those who want to use it and the side-effects incurred from its use are not serious enough to warrant the existing laws." She would now support decriminalisation.

- John Luxton (Karapiro - National) a supporter of prohibition. "It is unfortunate that the misinformation promoted by so few has caused so much damage in New Zealand society".

+ Janet Mackey (Mahia - Labour) supports a "reassessment of the law...we can improve the current legislation".

+ Steve Maharey (Palmerston North - Labour) is in favour of decriminalising marijuana use, but adds "this is not high on the list of priorities in the Labour Party". Has admitted to trying cannabis.

U Nanaia Mahuta (Labour) unknown

U Trevor Mallard (Pencarrow - Labour) is thinking things over, but thought to be supportive. Would support 1st reading of a bill?

E Wayne Mapp (North Shore - National) - may be supportive, declined to state position, but is "happy to talk to you at my electorate office in North Shore."

U Ron Mark (NZ First List) unknown

E Denis Marshall (Rangitikei - National) evasive, may also support 1st reading

U Roger Maxwell (National List) supports "further investigation".

- Peter McCardle (Independent List) "I do not support the decriminalisation of cannabis."

E Murray McCully (Albany - National) evasive, thought to be anti.

U Robyn McDonald (NZ First List) unknown - has admitted to trying cannabis.

- Don McKinnon (National List) prohibitionist.

E Joy McLauchlin (National List) evasive.

U Murray McLean (Coromandel - National) unknown.

- Mike Moore (Waimakariri - Labour) is very supportive of prohibition. He told a NORML activist "you'll never see cannabis legalised as long as I'm around".

+ Tukoroirangi Morgan (Te Tai Hauauru - NZ First) seemed very supportive on health committee.

- Deborah Morris (Independent List) prohibitionist, has admited to trying cannabis.

+ Brian Neeson (Waipareira - National) supports a review of the existing law, but does not personally favour law change. Chair of the Health Select Committee.

U Muriel Newman (Act List) unknown

- Damien O'Connor (West Coast-Tasman - Labour) supports prohibition - everyone who smokes pot should be regarded as a criminal, but doctors should "maybe" be able to prescribe MJ for medical reasons.

- Katherine O'Regan (National List) is supportive of prohibition, although is introducing a private members bill to legalise prostitution.

E Mark Peck (Invercargill - Labour) supports a referendum "so long as NORML are able to attract sufficient support to achieve a non-binding referendum" but won't say where he stands.

- Winston Peters (Tauranga - NZ First) also supported a referendum (purely to take ALCP votes?) and has actively stifled debate since the election, "we have more important things to think about".

+ Jill Pettis (Wanganui - Labour) thinks the "allocation of funds [by NZ Police] can be better used elsewhere in the battle against more serious crime". She has not yet made up her mind on the issue of decriminalisation, but would definitely not support legalisation.

E Richard Prebble (Wellington Central - Act Leader) ambivalent - "I do believe that the criminal code should be regularly reviewed. I would like to see a careful study done before I would agree to a arbitrary 'one off' reform of this part of the law."

U Derek Quigley (Act List) unknown

- Ian Revill (Northcote - National) supports prohibition.

E Ross Robertson (Manukau East - Labour) promises only that he "will consider the matter very carefully".

U Matt Robson (Alliance List) unknown.

- Eric Roy (National List) is "not supportive of any form of liberalisation of this drug", but agrees we should "vastly improve the information currently available".

- Tony Ryall (Bay of Plenty - National) anti.

- Dover Samuels (Labour List) anti.

U Patricia Schnauer (Act List) unknown.

- Jenny Shipley (Prime Minster - Rakaia - National) advises that "it is not the Government's intention to decriminalise marijuana. It does so much to harm New Zealanders, not just by smoking it, but by the criminal element who become involved. I will do all I can to ensure that the status of this drug does not alter."

+ Ken Shirley (Act List) supportive of decriminalisation, has tried cannabis.

U Bob Simcock (Hamilton West - National) unknown.

+ Clem Simich (Tamaki - National) is supportive of decriminalisation, but wants it as Government policy, not private members bill.

E Lockwood Smith (Rodney - National) evasive.

- Nick Smith (Nelson - National) is supportive of prohibition: "drugs cause enough harm to our society without them becoming legal and therefore more widespread".

- Roger Sowry (National List) anti.

- Tony Steel (Hamilton East - National) Prohibitionist - "the wrong message to send young people".

E Larry Sutherland (Christchurch East - Labour) not openly supportive, although he admits marijuana prohibition causes many of the same problems caused by alcohol prohibition in the 1930s.

+ Jim Sutton (Aoraki - Labour) says he "cannot support legalisation" but he has an "open mind on the decriminalisation of possession of small amounts for own use".

- Paul Swain (Rimutaka - Labour) supports prohibition.

- Georgina Te Heuheu (National List) "I am not persuaded that decriminalisation is called for even if there is a concern about the recording of a criminal conviction against many.... widespread debate on our approach to marijuana needs to occur. Recent events are ensuring that will happen. I guess on that point we can agree."

+ Judith Tizard (Auckland Central - Labour) says we need "a more rational approach" but says "debate is difficult because of the crusading groups opposed to liberalisation and the small number of people willing to publicly support change."

+ Tariana Turia (Labour List) seemed supportive on health committee.

E Simon Upton (National List) evasive.

- Belinda Vernon (Maungakiekie - National) "...in my view marijuana generates more harm than it does good and I do not support a wholesale liberalisation of the cannabis laws. While there may be examples of where marijuana can have medicinal uses these should be addresses on a one-by-one basis."

- Rana Waitai (Te Puku o te Whenua - Mauri Pacific) prohibitionist - ex Gisborne cop.

+ Jill White (Labour List) is "prepared to consider decriminalisation, but not legalisation." She accepts that we have a "considerable problem in relation to the criminal activities and violence which have arisen around the illegal growing and selling of marijuana."

+ Maurice Williamson (Pakuranga - National) came out in 95 and agreed with Helen Clark's Spot Fines proposal until Jenny Shipley made him shut up. Quietly supportive of progressive drug law reform.

U Pansy Wong (National List) unknown.

U Doug Woolerton (NZ First List) unknown.

U John Wright (Alliance List) unknown.

+ Tutekawa Wyllie (Te Tai Tonga - NZ First) supportive of law reform.

+ Dianne Yates (Labour List) is a keen supporter: "I have supported decriminalisation of the use of cannabis consistently for years." Has admitted to trying cannabis.

U Annabel Young (National List) unknown.

TOTAL MPs: 120 REFORMERS: 33 PROHIBITIONISTS: 35 EVASIVE (WILL NOT STATE POSITION): 26 UNKNOWNS (WILL NOT REPLY): 26

KEY: + supports law reform or an inquiry - anti law reform E evasive U position unknown

WHAT YOU CAN DO:
As you may notice, we don't know how many of these MPs stand on cannabis law reform. If you know more than us, let us know. If your MP is listed as 'evasive', 'unknown' or opposed to law reform, contact them by phone or letter or go see them in person. Tell them to support cannabis law reform and sensible and workable drug policies or you will vote for someone else who does. Tell us what they said. Send us an e-mail or call NORML on 09 302-5255.

Unless stated otherwise, copyright © 1998-2005 by NORML New Zealand, working for marijuana law reform

Published on: 2003-03-09 (3230 reads)