Jack Elder

Jack Arnold Elder (born 3 July 1949) is a former New Zealand politician. He was an MP from 1984 to 1999, representing first the Labour Party, then New Zealand First, and then Mauri Pacific.

Jack Elder was born and raised in West Auckland, attending New Lynn Primary, Avondale Intermediate and Kelston Boys High School - where he was the captain of the rugby first fifteen, and head boy. Elder then studied politics at the University of Auckland alongside such names as Prime Minister Helen Clark and Minister of Defence Phil Goff. Elder left the university with a B.A in both History and Political Studies as well as a M.A in Political Studies and spent the next ten years or so sitting on several New Lynn Council boards including being elected Deputy Mayor in 1980, while teaching at schools such as Rutherford College and Henderson High School.

Later, Elder joined with four other former New Zealand First MPs to found the Mauri Pacific party. Elder's participation in the group can be seen as surprising, as his political views did not closely match the radically multiculturalist policies of the new party. Some commentators have suggested that Elder saw the party as his last chance for political survival.

Regardless, Elder eventually chose not to seek re-election, and retired from politics at the 1999 elections.

Elder spent time off from working, turning down some lucrative job offers, before returning to teaching as a substitute teacher two years after leaving Parliament.