Paul Adams (New Zealand politician)

Paul Adams (born 1947/1948)^[1] is a politician and former rally driving champion from New Zealand.

Early years

Adams was originally a carpenter and joiner, but later established a business manufacturing outdoor playground equipment. Later, he became a professional rally driver, and won three prestigious New Zealand championships. He also owned a Kia Motors and Suzuki dealerships in Auckland.

Member of Parliament

Parliament of New Zealand
Years	Term	Electorate	List	Party
2002–2005	47th	List	9	United Future

Adams is a member of Pentecostal City Impact Church, and as a result, became involved in Christian politics in New Zealand. After first being a member of the Christian Heritage Party, he joined the religious-based Future New Zealand party. Future New Zealand later merged with United New Zealand to form the modern United Future New Zealand group, which Adams remained a member of until 2005. In the 2002 elections, Adams was ranked ninth on the United Future party list. Thanks to the unexpectedly strong performance of United Future, the party gained enough votes for eight seats, leaving Adams just outside Parliament. Later, Kelly Chal, a higher-ranked candidate, was forced to withdraw because she did not have New Zealand citizenship, which she had not realised was necessary. Adams, as the next candidate on the list, entered Parliament in her place.^[2]

Adams was one of the more conservative members of Parliament. After he was elected, it was reported that he had made a written submission on the 1993 Human Rights Bill saying that people with AIDS should not be allowed to "run loose".^[3] He also spoke out about subjects like abortion, and fasted for 21 days to oppose the civil unions legislation, which was passed regardless.

Independent

On 15 August 2005 Adams left United Future to stand as an independent in the East Coast Bays Electorate. He gained 5809 votes after a short five week campaign, which placed him third overall. He was subsequently involved with a proposed new party to be established by his former colleague Gordon Copeland and Destiny New Zealand. However, these negotiations collapsed, but Adams then became the Deputy Leader of The Family Party.^[4]

Adams stood as a candidate for The Family Party in the East Coast Bays Electorate in the 2008 election.^[5]

Adams is presently working as a real estate agent for Barfoot & Thompson in the East Coast Bays area.

On 9 November 2008 general election, Paul Adams was again unsuccessful as Family Party candidate for the East Coast Bays electorate. He polled third, behind National candidate Murray McCully and Labour candidate Vivienne Goldsmith. As The Family Party failed to win any other electorate or list seats, Adams will not be re-entering Parliament

References

1. "New MP to fit in Far North rally". New Zealand Herald. 30 July 2002. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
2. "United Future MP ruled ineligible". New Zealand Government Directory (Network PR). 14 August 2002. Retrieved 6 May 2008.
3. Bowling, Kerry (8 August 2002). "Aids stand under fire". Wairarapa Times-Age. Retrieved 6 May 2008. Archived 21 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine
4. "Joint Christian party officially dead, as two new parties emerge". Radio New Zealand. 17 October 2007. Archived from the original on 19 October 2007. Retrieved 17 October 2007.
5. "The Family Party Submits Formal Registration". The Family Party. 15 November 2007. Retrieved 6 December 2007.