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Bruce Gregory (politician)Bruce Craig Gregory (22 April 1937 – 29 October 2015) was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party. Early life and careerGregory was born in Kaingaroa in Northland to parents Vivian Lauder Gregory (Ngāi Tahu) and Tai Te Maru (Te Rarawa). He was educated at Pukepoto Native School, Kaitaia College and the University of Otago. He graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery and practised medicine in Thames and Kaitaia. Notably, he was the first Māori general practitioner to work in Kaitaia.[1] He maintained an interest throughout his life in Māori art and musical instruments.[1] Political career
Gregory was selected as the Labour Party candidate for the Northern Maori electorate in a 1980 by-election, caused by the resignation of the previous incumbent, Matiu Rata.[2] Rata contested the by-election for the Mana Motuhake party but, ultimately, Gregory was successful. He was successful in each subsequent general election until 1993, when Tau Henare won Northern Maori for New Zealand First. In 1983 he was appointed as Labour's spokesperson for Arts & Culture in the Lange shadow Cabinet.[3] He was not appointed a minister in the Fourth Labour Government. In 1990 he became Labour's spokesperson for Lands in the Moore shadow Cabinet.[4] In 1990, Gregory was awarded the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal.[5] Upon his defeat at the 1993 general election, Gregory returned to Kaitaia and continued his work in Māori health.[1] DeathGregory died on 29 October 2015.[6] Notes
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