Jim Peters

Who is Jim Peters?

Jim Peters is a New Zealand educator and politician. Born in Kawakawa, he is of Ngāti Wai and Clan McInnes descent.

He went to school at Whananaki Primary and Wesley College in Auckland. Further education followed at the University of Auckland and Auckland Teachers Training College.

He is a member of the New Zealand First party, which is led by his younger brother Winston Peters. Jim Peters entered Parliament as a list MP in the 2002 elections, having previously served as the Chairperson on the Northland Regional Council. Before entering politics he was a high school teacher. Formerly he was HOD History, Geography and Social Studies at Mount Albert Grammar School. From 1987 to mid-2002 he was Principal of Northland College in Kaikohe. He lost his list seat in the 2005 elections after New Zealand First's share of the party vote declined from its 2002 result. He was appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Auckland in 2006.

In February 2008 he could have re-entered Parliament as a New Zealand First list MP after the resignation of Brian Donnelly, but stood aside in favour of Dail Jones.