Ewen McQueen

Ewen McQueen was the third (and final) leader of Christian Heritage New Zealand, a religious political party in New Zealand that is now defunct.

McQueen was born in Palmerston North in 1965, although spent most of his youth in the North Shore (part of the greater Auckland area). He attended Takapuna Grammar School (where he was head prefect) and the University of Auckland. His primary field of study at university was economics, in which he eventually gained a Master's degree with honours. His masters thesis was on the topic "A Christian Perspective on Neo-Classical Economics." He currently works as a project manager for the Auckland District Health Board.

McQueen joined the Christian Heritage Party in 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 the Taranaki-King Country by-election in 1998, in which he placed fifth. He also served as his party's deputy leader and finance spokesperson until 1999.McQueen narrowly missed election to parliament as a Christian Heritage candidate in the New Zealand general election 1996.

In August 2003, McQueen was elected as the new leader of Christian Heritage, and replaced the retiring Graham Capill. His primary opponent was Vic Jarvis, an employment relations consultant from Palmerston North.

McQueen became a Christian when aged eighteen, and said that his belief gave "hope, meaning, direction and strength." He stated a belief that he was "called to politics" in the same way that others might be called "to be a pastor or evangelist or such like." His main priorities for Christian Heritage were opposition to abortion and the strengthening of traditional marriage and family structures.

In October 2006, McQueen announced the closure of Christian Heritage New Zealand, blaming its demise on Graham Capill's convition and imprisonment as a serial paedophile, although he hopes to be involved with a new conservative Christian political party that might also involve Destiny New Zealand [http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0610/S00018.htm]

ee also

*Christian Heritage Party of New Zealand
*Christian politics in New Zealand
*Christian Coalition (New Zealand)

References

* 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