Steve Maharey

Hon Steve Maharey, of Palmerston North, received the Insignia of a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit on 24 March 2009 for services as a Member of Parliament.  Mr Maharey was the MP for Palmerston North from 1990 to 2008.  During his parliamentary career, he was Minister of Broadcasting, Crown Research Institutes, Housing, Science and Technology, and was the Minister of Social Development and Employment from 1999 to 2004.  He also served on the Palmerston North City Council from 1986 to 1989.  He was a Senior Lecturer in sociology at Massey University before entering Parliament and has published widely in his specialist areas of interest; media and cultural studies and social change.