Roger McClay
Roger McClay | |
|---|---|
| 3rd Commissioner for Children | |
| In office 1998–2003 | |
| Preceded by | Laurie O'Reilly |
| Succeeded by | Cindy Kiro |
| 3rd Minister of Youth Affairs | |
| In office 2 November 1990 – 8 November 1996 | |
| Prime Minister | Jim Bolger |
| Preceded by | Annette King |
| Succeeded by | Katherine O'Regan |
| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Waikaremoana | |
| In office 1984–1996 | |
| Preceded by | new electorate |
| Succeeded by | electorate abolished |
| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Taupo | |
| In office 1981–1984 | |
| Preceded by | Jack Ridley |
| Succeeded by | electorate abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Roger Neville McClay 6 February 1945 Pukekohe, New Zealand |
| Died | 7 November 2025 (aged 80) Taupō, New Zealand |
| Political party | National |
| Relations | Todd McClay (son) |
Roger Neville McClay QSO (6 February 1945 – 7 November 2025) was a New Zealand politician. He became Minister of Youth Affairs and Associate Minister of Education and Social Welfare during the Fourth National Government. He later held the role of Commissioner for Children from 1998 to 2003.
Early life and family
[edit]McClay was born at Pukekohe on 6 February 1945.[1] He was educated at Wesley College and Waiuku College, and went on to study at Ardmore Teachers' College from 1963 to 1964, earning a Trained Teacher's Certificate.[2]
In 1966, McClay married Dawn Ferguson, and the couple went on to have three children.[2]
McClay worked as a primary school teacher and school principal.[2] He was also active in Jaycees, serving as national vice-president in 1980 and as an international senator to World Jaycees.[2]
Member of Parliament
[edit]| Years | Term | Electorate | Party | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981–1984 | 40th | Taupo | National | ||
| 1984–1987 | 41st | Waikaremoana | National | ||
| 1987–1990 | 42nd | Waikaremoana | National | ||
| 1990–1993 | 43rd | Waikaremoana | National | ||
| 1993–1996 | 44th | Waikaremoana | National | ||
McClay was an MP from 1981 to 1996, representing the National Party. He was first elected to Parliament in the 1981 election as MP for Taupo,[3] defeating the incumbent Labour MP, Jack Ridley.
In the 1984 election, he contested and won the new seat of Waikaremoana,[3] which he held until he retired at the 1996 election.[4] He became Minister of Youth Affairs and Associate Minister of Education and Social Welfare during the Fourth National Government.[5] He later held the role of Commissioner for Children from 1998 to 2003.[6]
In 1990, McClay was awarded the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal.[2]
His son, Todd McClay, was elected as the National Party Member of Parliament for Rotorua at the 2008 general election.
Post-parliament career
[edit]In the 2005 New Year Honours, McClay was made a Companion of the Queen's Service Order (QSO).[7]
McClay was the chairman for Keep New Zealand Beautiful until July 2009. He has been involved in a number of other charities, including the New Zealand Spinal Trust,[8] World Vision, Heart Children New Zealand, Variety, the Children's Charity and For the Sake of Children.[5]
In March 2010 he was charged with misuse of taxpayer-subsidised flights.[9] In August the same year he pleaded guilty.[10] He repaid the two charities that he had defrauded, Keep New Zealand Beautiful and World Vision.[11] He was convicted and given a sentence of 300 hours of community work. In addition, he was stripped of his travel benefits by the Parliamentary Services Commission.[12]
McClay died on 7 November 2025, at the age of 80, after having cancer for five years.[13]
References
[edit]- ^ "Births". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. 82, no. 25124. 10 February 1945. p. 1. Retrieved 11 November 2025 – via PapersPast.
- ^ a b c d e Taylor, Alister; Coddington, Deborah (1994). Honoured by the Queen – New Zealand. Auckland: New Zealand Who's Who Aotearoa. p. 250. ISBN 0-908578-34-2.
- ^ a b Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First published in 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. p. 214. OCLC 154283103.
- ^ Clark, Helen (27 August 1996). "Valedictories". Hansard. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
- ^ a b Savage, Jared (19 December 2009). "Charity records seized in inquiry into former MP". The New Zealand Herald.
- ^ Barrington, John (2004). A Voice for Children. Dunmore Press. ISBN 0-86469-459-8. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
- ^ "New Year Honours List 2005". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 31 December 2004. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
- ^ Savage, Jared (5 December 2009). "Police probe ex-MP's expenses". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 5 December 2009.
- ^ Savage, Jared (6 March 2010). "Ex-MP in court on expenses charges". The New Zealand Herald.
- ^ "Former MP admits defrauding charity". ONE News. TVNZ. 16 August 2010.
- ^ Savage, Jared (26 August 2010). "McClay offers no apologies for charity double dip". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
- ^ Savage, Jared (25 August 2010). "McClay sentenced to community service". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2010.
- ^ "Former National politician Roger McClay dies". Stuff. 9 November 2025.