John Banks

Who is John Banks?

John Archibald Banks, CNZM, QSO is a New Zealand politician. He was a member of Parliament for the National Party from 1981 to 1999, and for ACT New Zealand from 2011 to 2014. He was a Cabinet Minister from 1990 to 1996 and 2011 to 2013.

In between his times in Parliament he served as Mayor of Auckland City for two terms, from 2001 to 2004, and from 2007 to 2010. When seven former smaller councils were combined into one to run the Auckland 'supercity', Banks ran for mayor again but was beaten by Len Brown, the serving mayor of Manukau City.

In June 2014 he was found guilty of filing a false electoral return after the 2010 mayoralty campaign. He resigned as a Minister when charges were brought against him in 2013, and as an MP days after being found guilty. Sentencing is set down for 1 August. If a conviction is entered, Banks will be unable to stand for Parliament again.