Ewen McQueen

Ewen McQueenis a New Zealand writer and social commentator who blogs at RenewNZ.From 2008 to 2018 he was involved in the National Party in the Epsom electorate. Prior to that was the leader of Christian Heritage NZ. McQueen has had opinion piecespublished in newspapers around New Zealand and on the Stuff website. These include articles on family valuesissues, the Treaty of Waitangi,and New Zealand's Christian history.

Early years

McQueen was born inPalmerston Northin 1965, although spent most of his youth in theNorth Shore(part of the greaterAucklandarea). He attendedTakapuna Grammar Schoolwhere he played for the first XV and was head prefect in 1983. McQueen graduated from theUniversity of Aucklandin 1990. His primary field of study at university waseconomics,in which he gained aMaster's degreewith honours in 1990. As part of his post graduate degree he completed a thesis entitled "A Christian Perspective on Neo-Classical Economics."

After graduating McQueen worked in the health sector in analyst, planning and management roles. His last role was as Business Manager for the Facilities & Development Group within the Auckland DHB.

Politics

Ewen McQueen was a member of theNew Zealand National Partyfrom 2007 until his resignation in June 2018because according to McQueen "family values... leadership is not going to come via the National Party." McQueen was a member of the National party's 2010/11 candidate college and sought selection as the National candidate in theNorth Shoreelectorate for the2011 general election,losing toMaggie Barry.He also unsuccessfully sought selection for theEpsomseat.

Prior to joining the National Party McQueen joined theChristian Heritage Partyin 1992, and stood as a Christian Heritage candidate on five occasions. Four of his campaigns were in the Auckland electorates of Eden, Epsom and Mt Roskill, but his most successful election campaign was in theTaranaki-King Country by-electionin 1998. In this by-election he polled ahead of both the NZ First and Green candidates. He also served as his party's Deputy Leader and Finance Spokesperson until 1999.

McQueen narrowly missed election to Parliament in the 1996 general election. He was ranked 4th on the Christian Coalition party list. The Coalition fell just under the MMP threshold.

In August 2003, McQueen was elected as the new leader of Christian Heritage NZ, and replaced the retiringGraham Capill.In October 2006, McQueen announced the closure of Christian Heritage NZ, blaming its demise on Graham Capill's criminal convictions, although he hoped to be involved with a new conservative Christian political party.That party did not eventuate and McQueen subsequently joined the National Party.

Social commentary

McQueen has had a number of articles published on economics and social values issues in newspapers across New Zealand includingThe New Zealand Herald,The Christchurch PressandThe Taranaki Daily NewsandOtago Daily Times.He has a blog site, 'renewnz'. McQueen authored a book entitledOne Sun in the Sky,which argues 19th century Maori did not expectco-governanceto result from theTreaty of Waitangi,and Te Tiriti validly ceded sovereignty to the Crown.

Further reading

• Martin Freeman: Christian Political Parties of New Zealand: Thesis 99/J94: 2001: University of Auckland, New Zealand
• Ewen McQueen: A Christian Perspective on Neoclassical Economics: Honours Thesis: 1990: University of Auckland, New Zealand
• Ewen McQueen: One Sun in the Sky: The Untold Story of Sovereignty and the Treaty of Waitangi: 2021: Galatas NZ Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand