Ken Shirley

Kenneth Lex Shirley (born 12 August 1950) is a former New Zealand politician. He was a member of the ACT New Zealand party, although was previously a member and Cabinet minister of the Labour Party.

Early life Shirley was born on 12 August 1950, the son of World War II veteran Wallace Keown Shirley. He was educated at Heretaunga College in Upper Hutt, and went on to study at Victoria University of Wellington, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1975. He became a resources manager at the Nelson Catchment Board. He and his wife Jenny had two children.

Member of Parliament

He joined the Labour Party in 1977 after moving to Richmond. In 1978 he became the secretary of the Tasman electorate committee. A year later he became the secretary of the Tasman campaign committee. When Tasman MP, and former Labour leader, Bill Rowling announced his retirement Shirley contested the nomination to replace him. From a field of seven (including John Blincoe, Annette King and Stephen Rainbow) he was selected as Labour's candidate.