Kevin Hague

"I bring significant practical skill, experience and resourcefulness combined with a personal passion for justice, community development and environmental sustainability. I believe that I would serve you well as a Green Party MP, and am powerfully motivated to offer myself for the role at this time because of the sense of urgency I feel over the survival of our planet."

Kevin Hague is standing for the Green Party in the West Coast-Tasman electorate at list position 7. This is the first year Kevin has stood for the Green Party.

Background

Kevin is currently the Chief Executive of the West Coast District Health Board (since 2005). Before that, he was the General Manager Planning & Funding, WCDHB from 2003; Executive Director of the NZ AIDS Foundation from 1998; before that he worked in health (consulting, North Health, AIDS Foundation again), bookselling (Whitcoulls, Polynesian Bookshop, Pendragon’s Bookshop) and lots more besides. Kevin holds a B.Sc (maths/physics), most of a B.A. (Scandinavian Studies), a post-graduate Diploma in Public Health, and a Teaching Certificate in Adult Education

Achievements

Kevin is a devoted partner and father. In 1980, Kevin was president of the Auckland University Students Association. He was on the field at Hamilton, 1981(!) and was involved in the team that stopped the 1985 All Black tour to South Africa. Kevin led the successful campaign to shut down the Auckland Star, following homophobic editorials and was one of the leaders of the campaign for the 1993 Human Rights Act. Kevin represented the NZ anti-apartheid movement at international UNESCO and Commonwealth conferences. He was part of the NZ delegation to the first UN General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS. Kevin co-led a successful campaign to allow bikes and trampers to share suitable tracks in national parks and forced Air NZ to drop the exorbitant levy it introduced for people taking bikes with them on planes. Most recently, he was also involved in the origin of the ‘Like Minds, Like Mine’ campaign.

Interests and hobbies

He is a keen cyclist especially mountain biking and cycle touring. He also enjoys other endurance sports and tramping.

Community involvements

Kevin is on the West Coast Tai Poutini Conservation Board from 2004-06. He was co-organiser of the 2007 ‘Sustainable Coast’, has been involved in the leadership of Mountain Bike NZ since 2001 and is a member of Cycle Advocacy Network. Kevin was involved in environmental advocacy on Waiheke Island from 1994 to 2003. He has a long and active history in advocating for gay rights. Kevin has extensive experience in Pakeha Treaty advocacy and gay rights advocacy, including HLR. He is a campaigner for human rights and co-Chair and organiser of the 1989 NZ Gay and Lesbian Conference, and a co-organiser of the first Hero Party in 1991; Kevin has long term involvement in anti-apartheid movement. He has been strategic adviser to many NGOs over past 25 years.

Personal statement

Kevin brings significant practical skill, experience and resourcefulness combined with a personal passion. He is powerfully motivated through his sense of urgency over the survival of our planet.

Additional

Kevin was a member of the National Health Committee (2001-05); He was Chair of the NZ Public Health Advisory Committee (2002-04); a Member of the Community Sector Task Force (2003); Chair of the West Coastal Pathway (since 2005), Chair of the Waiheke Special Needs Trust (1998-2003); Chair of the Oneroa Business Association (1996-1998); and Executive member of the Piritahi Marae Hauora trust (1997 – 1999). He has provided Treaty education for Pakeha, and co-edited “Honouring the Treaty”; Kevin has lots of anti-apartheid experience from 1979 (incl Education Officer, HART).

Contacts

027 291 7628
03 762 6402 (hm)