Background
Hawkins was born on 15 May 1946 in the Auckland suburb of Mountain Eden.
Hawkins was born on 15 May 1946 in the Auckland suburb of Mountain Eden.
He attended Dominion Road Primary School, Mount Albert Grammar School (1960–1963) and then Auckland Teachers" College.
Papakura
Hawkins was a councillor for Papakura City 1980–1983. He was elector Mayor of Papakura in 1983, and held that position until 1992. In 1989, Papakura City became Papakura District as part of the local government reforms.
Hawkins has served as Member of Parliament for Manurewa since he was first elected to Parliament in the 1990 elections.
He served as Minister of Internal Affairs, Minister of Police, Minister of Civil Defence, and Minister of Veterans" Affairs in the 2002-2005 parliamentary term. He has previously held office as mayor of Papakura.
Although Hawkins was criticised over his handling of police issues, in particular 111 calls, he remained a Minister until he made the decision not to seek a new position in Cabinet after the 2005 election. However his majority was cut by more than half.
After stepping down from Parliament in 2011, Hawkins was subsequently elected to the newly merged Auckland Council under the Manurewa Action Team ticket.
Disappointed at being ranked 25th on the 2005 Labour Party list, he withdrew his name from the list, and won the Manurewa seat with a comfortable margin of over 12,000 votes (a similar majority to his 2002 election win). In the 2013 New Year Honours, Hawkins was made a Companion of the Queen"s Service Order, for services as a Member of Parliament.
Before entering politics, he was a teacher. In the 2008 general election he again chose not to be placed on the party list, and again won his Manurewa seat.
He is a member of the Labour Party. Member of Parliament.
