David Shearer Explained

David Shearer
Office:Special Representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan
1Namedata:António Guterres
Term Start:1 January 2017
Term End:15 January 2021
Predecessor:Ellen Margrethe Løj
Successor:Nicholas Haysom
Order1:33rd Leader of the Opposition
Term Start1:13 December 2011
Term End1:15 September 2013
Primeminister1:John Key
Deputy1:Grant Robertson
Predecessor1:Phil Goff
Successor1:David Cunliffe
Order2:14th Leader of the Labour Party
Deputy2:Grant Robertson
Term Start2:13 December 2011
Term End2:15 September 2013
Predecessor2:Phil Goff
Successor2:David Cunliffe
Constituency Mp3:Mount Albert
Parliament3:New Zealand
Term Start3:13 June 2009
Term End3:31 December 2016
Predecessor3:Helen Clark
Successor3:Jacinda Ardern
Birth Date:1957 7, df=yes
Birth Place:Auckland, New Zealand
Birthname:David James Shearer
Party:Labour
Spouse:Anuschka Meyer
Children:2
Alma Mater:University of Auckland
University of Canterbury
Occupation:Politician, humanitarian worker
Signature:David Shearer signature.jpg

David James Shearer (born 28 July 1957) is a New Zealand United Nations worker and politician. He was a member of the New Zealand Parliament for the Labour Party from 2009 to 2016, serving as Leader of the Opposition from 2011 to 2013.

Shearer spent nearly 20 years working for the UN, managing the provision of aid to countries including Somalia, Rwanda, Liberia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Lebanon and Iraq.[1] In 1992, Shearer was (together with his wife) named as New Zealander of the Year by The New Zealand Herald. On 13 June 2009 he won the Mount Albert by-election and entered the House of Representatives. He was elected as leader of the Labour Party on 13 December 2011 but resigned on 15 September 2013, being succeeded by David Cunliffe.

Shearer resigned from Parliament in December 2016 and in 2017 was appointed to head the United Nations peace keeping mission in South Sudan.[2] in January 2021, he was succeeded in the role by Nicholas Haysom.

Early life

Shearer was born and brought up in the Auckland suburb of Papatoetoe. He was the eldest of three children in a family of schoolteachers. His father being a Presbyterian elder, he was a church-goer in his youth.[3] He attended Papatoetoe High School, where he was head boy and Phil Goff was a friend. He graduated from the University of Auckland with a BSc and the University of Canterbury with a MSc (Hons) in Resource Management.[4] From 1983 to 1987 he was a teacher at Massey High School and Onehunga High School.

Public service and non-government organisation career

Shearer has conducted various assignments with the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the Save the Children Fund, and the International Crisis Group, and is the author of numerous publications in the areas of humanitarian affairs and conflict resolution.

Between 1987 and 1989 he was a consultant for the Tainui Trust Board assisting with the preparation of its land claims to the Waitangi Tribunal. In 1989 he was appointed as UN Co-ordinator for Humanitarian Operations in Africa and the Balkans and served as head of the Save the Children Fund in Rwanda, Somalia, Northern Iraq and Sri Lanka.[1] In 1995 he served as the Senior Humanitarian Affairs Adviser in Liberia. From 1999 Shearer served in various UN posts including Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator for the United Nations in Rwanda, Senior Humanitarian Adviser in Albania and Chief of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Belgrade. Shearer left the United Nations to work as an adviser to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Phil Goff for two years.

In 2002 Shearer returned to the United Nations, serving as a Senior Adviser to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan. In February 2003 Shearer was appointed head of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Jerusalem. During the conflict in Lebanon in 2006 he served as the Humanitarian Coordinator organising assistance for civilians caught up in the conflict between Israel and Lebanon.[5]

In 2007 Shearer was appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as his Deputy Special Representative (Humanitarian, Reconstruction and Development) for Iraq.[6] While in Iraq, Shearer also served as the United Nations Resident Coordinator and the Humanitarian Coordinator. In this role he was responsible for managing over $2 billion in aid for developmental projects for 16 different UN agencies.[1]

In March 2013 Shearer admitted he had not declared a US-based bank account in which he received his salary from the UN, saying he had simply forgotten about it.[7]

Member of Parliament, 2009–2016

See also: Electoral history of David Shearer. Before his election as a Member of Parliament Shearer had twice previously stood for the Labour party: in 1999 he stood as a list-only candidate and in 2002 he unsuccessfully contested the Whangārei electorate. In May 2009 he returned to New Zealand and won the Labour Party nomination for Mount Albert against seven other candidates.[8] He then won the 2009 Mt Albert by-election on 13 June 2009 with 13,260 votes, a majority of 9,718 over National's Melissa Lee.[9] Shearer extended his majority over Lee to 10,021 in the 2011 general election.[10] In the 2014 general election, Shearer further extended his majority over Lee to 10,656.[11]

Labour Party leadership election, 2011

See main article: 2011 New Zealand Labour Party leadership election. In December 2011, following the resignation of Phil Goff, Shearer contested for leadership of the Labour Party. His opponents were David Cunliffe and David Parker. Shearer was viewed as unlikely to win the election; Claire Trevett of The New Zealand Herald originally expected that only Cunliffe and Parker would run for the leader's role,[12] and The Dominion Post Vernon Small wrote that "Mr Shearer's bid is seen as a way to lift his profile".[13] On 9 December, Horizon Research released a demographically weighted survey which found that 35.4% of adult New Zealanders supported Shearer's bid for the leadership, and 19.9% backed Cunliffe.[14]

On 13 December, Shearer was elected by the Labour caucus. Both One News' Espiner and 3 News reported that Shearer received about twenty-two of the thirty-four votes for the leadership position;[15] [16] however, Party President Moira Coatsworth stipulated that the election was secret and that she was the only person who had access to the ballot papers, which were destroyed.[17]

Grant Robertson won election as Shearer's deputy.[18]

Leader of the Opposition, 2011–2013

See also: Shadow Cabinet of David Shearer. Political commentators opined that Shearer was moving the Labour Party towards the centre.[19] Polls suggested that his performance as leader was rated unfavourably with the public, and he had poor name recognition. He was described as "the invisible man of New Zealand politics".[20]

In November 2012 during a Labour Party conference, media speculation suggested that Cunliffe, who was then economic development spokesperson, would launch a challenge against Shearer for leadership of the party.[21] On the morning of 19 November, Cunliffe confirmed he was not challenging Shearer, and would indeed back him if a vote was taken. However, he also said he would not commit to supporting Shearer when he faces a formal confidence vote in February 2013. Media speculation about Cunliffe's intentions marred Shearer's first 12 months as leader.[22] Labour MPs unanimously endorsed leader Shearer at the annual conference, and Shearer subsequently demoted Cunliffe from the front bench.[23]

During Shearer's leadership the Labour Party floated a controversial proposed policy of not considering males for candidate selection. Dubbed the "man ban", the policy was to ensure that 50% of Labour MPs were female by 2017 and allowed local electorate committees to hold all-women shortlists to reach this goal.[24] The policy received backlash with many Labour members (including women) being opposed thinking it discriminatory.[25] After initially remaining silent on the policy, Shearer publicly stated his opposition to the "man ban", noting he was supportive of more women in parliament but the policy was not the right mechanism for it. The policy was subsequently discarded.[24]

Shearer continued to face dissent within the party caucus. On 20 August 2013, a stunt involving Shearer holding up two dead snapper in Parliament, while questioning the Government about proposed changes to recreational fishing management, was not well received.[26] [27] [28] He announced his resignation as Labour leader on 22 August 2013, stating that: "My sense is I no longer have the full confidence of many of my caucus colleagues".[29] [30] Following a party-wide leadership election, Cunliffe was elected Shearer's successor over Deputy Leader Robertson.[31]

Cunliffe appointed Shearer to his Shadow Cabinet as spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and also Energy and Resources.[32]

Resignation from Parliament

Labour lost the 2014 general election and Cunliffe was replaced as leader by Andrew Little, who reappointed Shearer as Labour's foreign affairs spokesperson.[33] On 8 December 2016 Shearer announced he would resign from Parliament after being chosen to head the United Nations Mission in South Sudan by United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon,[34] replacing Dane Ellen Margrethe Løj.[35] His resignation forced a by-election in the electorate, which was won by list MP Jacinda Ardern, who would go on to lead Labour to victory at the 2017 general election.

Honours and awards

In 1992, Shearer, and his wife Anuschka Meyer, were named the New Zealanders of the Year by The New Zealand Herald after running one of the biggest aid camps in Somalia.[36] [37]

In the 1993 New Year Honours, Shearer was appointed an Member of the Order of the British Empire, for welfare services to children in Somalia. In 1994, he was awarded Save the Children's international Award for Gallantry for service in areas of conflict.[38] In 2023, Shearer was conferred an honorary Doctor of Commerce degree by Lincoln University.[39]

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/0905/David_Shearer_CV.pdf David Shearer CV
  2. Web site: Secretary-General Appoints David Shearer of New Zealand Special Representative for South Sudan. United Nations. 13 December 2016.
  3. News: The world according to David Shearer . 17 December 2011 . . 5 December 2021.
  4. Shearer . David . 1986 . Masters thesis . Between two worlds : Maori values and environmental decision-making . UC Research Repository, University of Canterbury . 10092/10379 . 10.26021/6584 .
  5. http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=60560 Interview with David Shearer, UN Humanitarian Coordinator
  6. https://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2007/sga1088.doc.htm Secretary-General appoints David Shearer of New Zealand
  7. News: Banks calls for Shearer's resignation. . 19 March 2013.
  8. Web site: David Shearer Labour's man in Mt Albert . Field, Michael . 3 May 2009 . . 27 September 2011.
  9. News: Shearer defends 'fortress' for Labour. The New Zealand Herald. Anna Rushworth and Nicola Shepheard. 14 June 2009.
  10. Web site: Official Count Results – Mt Albert . . 10 December 2011 . 13 December 2011 . 8 February 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130208054646/http://electionresults.org.nz/electionresults_2011/electorate-26.html . dead .
  11. Web site: Official Count Results -- Mt Albert . Electoral Commission . 28 July 2020 . 2014.
  12. News: Parker edges ahead of Cunliffe in leadership race . . . 29 November 2011 . Claire . Trevett . 26 August 2013.
  13. News: Who is backing whom in Labour battle? . Vernon . Small . The Dominion Post . Fairfax New Zealand . 30 November 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131215061112/http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/politics/election-2011/6058327/Who-is-backing-whom-in-Labour-battle . 15 December 2013 . 26 August 2013 . live . dmy-all .
  14. Web site: Public back Shearer over Cunliffe for Labour leadership . Horizon Research . 9 December 2011 . 6 September 2013.
  15. News: Labour's new leader: I'm up to the job . One News . Television New Zealand . 13 December 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130906102024/http://tvnz.co.nz/politics-news/labour-s-new-leader-i-m-up-job-4632281 . 6 September 2013 . 22 December 2011 . live . dmy-all .
  16. News: Shearer routs Cunliffe for Labour leadership . 3 News . MediaWorks New Zealand . Duncan . Garner . 13 December 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131215043229/http://www.3news.co.nz/Shearer-routs-Cunliffe-for-Labour-leadership/tabid/419/articleID/236418/Default.aspx . 15 December 2013 . 8 September 2013 . dead .
  17. News: Secret caucus ballot will stay secret . 3 News . MediaWorks New Zealand . 13 December 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120129234254/http://www.3news.co.nz/Secret-caucus-ballot-will-stay-secret/tabid/419/articleID/236391/Default.aspx . 29 January 2012 . 22 December 2011 . dead . dmy-all .
  18. Web site: Shearer, Robertson new Labour leaders . . . 13 December 2011 . 13 December 2011 . 17 July 2012 . https://archive.today/20120717134117/http://www.3news.co.nz/Shearer-Robertson-new-Labour-leaders/tabid/419/articleID/236330/Default.aspx . dead .
  19. News: What David Shearer must do next . 8 May 2020 . . 25 March 2012 . en-NZ.
  20. News: Small . Vernon . David Shearer has battle to gain some colour . 8 May 2020 . . 30 July 2012 . en-NZ.
  21. News: Labour's Shearer still under pressure . 3 News . 18 November 2012 . 18 November 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131014173931/http://www.3news.co.nz/Labours-Shearer-still-under-pressure/tabid/1607/articleID/277129/Default.aspx . 14 October 2013 . dead .
  22. News: Cunliffe: I'm backing Shearer. 3 News NZ. 19 November 2012. 18 November 2012. https://archive.today/20130222232330/http://www.3news.co.nz/Cunliffe-Im-backing-Shearer/tabid/1607/articleID/277142/Default.aspx. 22 February 2013. dead.
  23. News: Trevett . Claire . Labour MPs vote for Shearer; Cunliffe demoted . 8 May 2020 . . 20 November 2012 . en-NZ.
  24. News: Small . Vernon . Labour's 'man ban' canned . . 9 July 2013 . 2 November 2022 . en-NZ .
  25. News: Edwards . Bryce . Labour's 'man ban' problem . . 5 July 2013 . 2 November 2022 . en-NZ .
  26. Web site: Snapper stunt nets dead jokes . 2022-07-21 . . en-NZ.
  27. Web site: Fox . Tracy Watkins, Vernon Small and Michael . 2013-08-22 . David Shearer quits as Labour leader . 2022-07-21 . Stuff . en.
  28. Web site: Smith . Ximena . 2022-05-28 . The Wilderness: Lloyd Burr's podcast revisits Labour's turbulent time in opposition . 2022-07-21 . . en.
  29. Web site: David Shearer quits as Labour leader . Tracy . Watkins . Vernon . Small . Michael . Fox . . 22 August 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130822014819/http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9074568/David-Shearer-quits . 22 August 2013 . dead . dmy .
  30. News: Trevett . Claire . Labour leader David Shearer steps down . . 22 August 2013 . 22 August 2013.
  31. Web site: Cunliffe wins Labour leadership . . 15 September 2013 . 15 September 2013.
  32. News: Cunliffe names shadow cabinet . 16 June 2021 . NewsHub . 23 September 2013 . en-NZ.
  33. Web site: 24 November 2014 . New faces, wise heads in bold Labour line up . 31 May 2021 . Scoop . New Zealand Labour Party.
  34. News: Shearer a big loss but we wish him well . The New Zealand Herald . 9 December 2016 . 9 December 2016.
  35. Web site: Special Representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan . United Nations Secretary-General . 8 May 2020 . en . 27 August 2018.
  36. Web site: UN 'special guy' eyes Mt Albert seat . Gower, Patrick . 23 April 2009 . . 27 September 2011.
  37. Web site: 1992: David Shearer and Anuschka Meyer . The New Zealand Herald . 18 October 1992 . 28 January 2017.
  38. Web site: David Shearer Biography . 13 August 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120820075029/http://www.labour.org.nz/davidshearer . 20 August 2012 . dead .
  39. Web site: Doctor of Commerce honoris causa: David James Shearer MBE . 12 May 2023 . Lincoln University . 14 May 2024.