Background
Gray was born in Borgue, Scotland.
Gray was born in Borgue, Scotland.
He was an Member of Parliament from 1978 to 1996, and served as Speaker of the House of Representatives between 1990 and 1993. After serving in the British Army, he moved to New Zealand to take up farming in 1952, eventually settling in Mosgiel. He joined the National Party in 1956, and held a number of positions in its internal hierarchy.
In the 1978 elections, he was elected to replace Peter Gordon as Member of Parliament for Clutha.
Gray became the National Party"s Junior Whip in 1985 and the Senior Whip in 1987. Speaker of the House of Representatives
After the 1993 elections, however, the National Party held a majority of only a single seat – as the Speaker could not vote, re-appointing Gray to the Speakership would leave Parliament deadlocked.
National therefore offered the Speakership to Peter Tapsell of the Labour Party. Gray was appointed to the sinecure of Minister of State, and also became Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs.
He retired from politics at the 1996 elections.
As Speaker of the House of Representatives, Gray was entitled to the title of The Honourable and became The Honorary Sir Robert "Robin" McDowall Gray which is a title he was granted for the rest of his life after leaving parliament. Gray effectively retired following his stepping down as an Member of Parliament but still makes occasional appearances and commentary at various Conferences around New Zealand.
Gray also sits as the Founding President on the Board of Trustees for the New Zealand Business and Parliament Trust.
When National won office in the 1990 elections, Gray was made Speaker of the House of Representatives. In the 1994 New Year Honours, Gray was made a Knight Bachelor. He has undertaken mild criticsm aimed at the National Party for failing to promote Members interests at conferences to which he achieved a degree of success in ensuring Delegate"s had more opportunity for engagement at the formal meetings
