The Honourable David Cunliffe, of Auckland,QSO, for services as a Member of Parliament
David Cunliffe was first elected to Parliament as the Member for Titirangi, before becoming MP for New Lynn. He held the Ministerial portfolios of Communications and Information Technology, Health, Immigration, and State for various periods under the Fifth Labour Government. He was also Associate Minister of Revenue, State Owned Enterprises, Finance, and Economic Development. As Immigration Minister, he initiated a major review of the Immigration Act 1987. As Minister for Communications and Information Technology, he announced extensive pro-competitive reform of the telecommunications sector. Mr Cunliffe served as Leader of the Opposition and, in opposition, was spokesperson for a range of portfolios and held membership on a number of select committees, including as Chair of the Regulations Review select committee and the Commerce select committee.