About / Bio

Rick Barker Biographical Details

Current - Rick is currently:

leading the negotiations for the Crown with the iwi of Hauraki, with Ngati Kahungunu in the Wairarapa and Whanganui Lands Settlement Trust, to settle their historic claims with the Crown;
Deputy Chair of the Hawke's Bay Regional Council;
Director Port of Napier
Qualified Hearings Commissioner for the Resource Management Act; and
Offers training courses in negotiation skills for groups by arrangement.
Available for industrial relations advocacy.

Parliament 1993 - 2011

Rick was elected to Parliament in November 1993 representing the seat of Hastings, the last ‘first past the post’ election. During this term he set up the Tomoana Resource Centre to support the 2000 freezing workers made redundant with the collapse of the Weddell freezing company and had his office burnt out in an arson attack. 1996 Rick won the newly named and enlarged seat of Tukituki in the first MMP election, had his office held up at gunpoint for nine hours and went on to hold the seat until 2005.

Labour Party & Union

In 1974 a Labour Party contact suggested he apply for the position as organiser for the Otago Hotel, Hospital and Restaurant Workers Union. He was successful and two years later was the Union’s Secretary.

The election of the Labour Government and Prime Minister Kirk’s, completing New Zealand’s withdrawal from the Vietnam War, Rick was an active protester against the war, the recognition of China, Rick is also very interested in China and the decision to send a Frigate to protest against the French atmospheric testing in the Pacific all persuaded Rick to join the Mosgiel Branch of the Labour Party in 1973

Early Work History

Rick studied sciences and arts subjects with no particular conviction gaining passes in Physics, Mathematics, Statistics, Geology, Geography, Psychology stage I and II, Economics I and II, but no degree Rick left for a career in dairy farming.

With stagnant wages and soaring land prices Rick left farming for other work which included, truck driving, labouring on building sites, quarrying, bar work, store work, fork lift operator, retail, and process worker, eventually becoming an organiser for the Otago Hotel, Hospital and Restaurant Workers Union.

Growing Up

From the age of two Rick was brought up by his grandparents Kate, who played the cello and Bob Scott a bushman coalminer, in the West Coast town of Runanga, a typically tough coal mining town. The pits dominated the town’s life and as coal demand fell, so did Runanga. Rick grew up playing rugby league, hockey and leaning to play the cello. His grandmother wanted to have any job that wasn’t down the mine. Rick secretly signed up to go underground but Prime Minister Muldoon’s began closing mines and the waiting list was closed off with Rick at third next to go underground.

CV

Hon Rick Barker CV details