Bob Clarkson

Robert Moncrieff (Bob) Clarkson, CNZM (born 1939 in Gisborne), was the National Party MP for Tauranga in the 48th Parliament of New Zealand.

In 1958 Clarkson qualified as a fitter and turner in Gisborne. He then moved to the Waikato and worked on the Kaimai Tunnel. He began selling and servicing tractors in Matamata before deciding to import V8 motors from the United States – a business he continued for nine years. Clarkson then moved into commercial building construction.

Clarkson has played field hockey for the Poverty Bay provincial team. He was selected as a standby goalie for the New Zealand team that won Gold at the 1976 Summer Olympics. He was also a member of the New Zealand Stock Car Racing Team from 1968–1971, and held seven New Zealand titles in Dragster racing during 1972–1975.

Clarkson was awarded the Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) for his services to Philanthropy, Industrial Properties and the Sports Stadium in the 2003 New Year Honours.

In the 2005 election, Clarkson was recruited as the National candidate for the Tauranga seat. He challenged Winston Peters, leader of the New Zealand First party, who had held the seat for twenty-one years. The contest was of national significance as party must have 5% of the vote or an electorate seat to qualify for proportional representation in parliament. A loss by Peters could have deprived New Zealand First of its electorate seat, leaving it vulnerable to a decline in its vote.

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