Geoff Braybrooke

Geoffrey Bernard Braybrooke QSO (4 April 1935 – 9 March 2013) was a New Zealand politician.[1] He was an MP from 1981 to 2002, representing the Labour Party. He was one of the party's more conservative MPs.

Early years

Braybrooke was born in Gillingham, Kent, England, on 4 April 1935, the son of Geoff and Edith Braybrooke, and was educated at Chatham House Grammar School in Ramsgate.[2] He joined the Royal Army Medical Corps in 1952. In 1952, he became a police officer in London, but in 1957, he chose to move to New Zealand and re-enter the army, serving in the Royal New Zealand Army Medical Corps until 1970. During his military career, he served in Korea, Malaya and Vietnam. He blamed his ill-health on the effects of Agent Orange in Vietnam.[3]

In 1959, Braybrooke married Janice Cater, and the couple went on to have two children.[2] After leaving the army, he became a sales manager for a pharmaceutical research company.

Member of Parliament

New Zealand Parliament
Years	Term	Electorate	List	Party
1981–1984	40th	Napier		Labour
1984–1987	41st	Napier		Labour
1987–1990	42nd	Napier		Labour
1990–1993	43rd	Napier		Labour
1993–1996	44th	Napier		Labour
1996–1999	45th	Napier	none	Labour
1999–2002	45th	Napier	none	Labour

Braybrooke had joined the British Labour Party when only fourteen years old, and when he moved to New Zealand, he became a supporter of the New Zealand Labour Party. In the 1969 elections, he managed Mick Connelly's campaign in the Wigram seat. He then unsuccessfully contested the seats of Franklin, Pakuranga, and Papakura in the 1972 elections, 1975 elections, and the 1978 elections, respectively. In the 1981 elections, he was finally elected MP for Napier. He held that seat until his retirement at the 2002 elections. During his career in Parliament, Braybrooke never held any ministerial roles, but did serve as Deputy Speaker and Labour defence spokesperson.[4][5]

In 1990, Braybrooke was awarded the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal.[2] Following his retirement from Parliament, he was appointed a Companion of the Queen's Service Order for public services, in the 2003 New Year Honours.[6]

Braybrooke was one of the more socially conservative members of the Labour Party. In 1985, when his fellow Labour MP Fran Wilde attempted to overturn legal prohibitions against homosexuality, Braybrooke was active in campaigning against the change, and later opposed measures promoted by National's Katherine O'Regan to combat discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.[7] He opposed Helen Clark's rise to the Labour Party's leadership, remaining strongly loyal to her predecessor, Mike Moore. This led him to be involved in the failed discussions during 1995 & 1996 about forming a new breakaway party led by Moore.

See two obituaries for the ex-MP: [8] [9]

References

1. Pinder, Rachel (28 September 2006). "Petition delay angers ex-MP - Local News - Hawke's Bay Today". Hawke's Bay Today. Retrieved 16 February 2011.
2. Taylor, Alister; Coddington, Deborah (1994). Honoured by the Queen – New Zealand. Auckland: New Zealand Who's Who Aotearoa. p. 76. ISBN 0-908578-34-2.
3. Eason, Paul (11 March 2013). "Ex-MP campaigned for veterans rights". Stuff/Fairfax. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
4. "National out of step on defence - Braybrooke". scoop.co.nz. 2006. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
5. "Helen Clark Shoots Her Own Caucus Down". scoop.co.nz. 2006. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
6. "New Year honours list 2003". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 31 December 2002. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
7. "Former Napier MP Geoff Braybrooke dies". Hawkesbay.co.nz. Archived from the original on 13 April 2013. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
8. "Former MP campaigned for Vietnam veterans". Stuff/Fairfax. 16 March 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
9. Shadwell, Talia (18 March 2013). "Frank MP who fought for mates laid to rest". Stuff/Fairfax. Retrieved 27 May 2013.

New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by Gordon Christie	Member of Parliament for Napier 1981–2002	Succeeded by Russell Fairbrother