Home > Roger Sowry

Sowry was born in Palmerston North. His education included a American Field Service exchange to Minnesota and a Diploma of Business Administration from Victoria University of Wellington. After working for a time at the Valuation Department, Sowry was employed as a retail manager.

Sowry joined the National Party in 1977, and was active in its youth wing. In the 1987 elections, he unsuccessfully challenged Labour Party MP Margaret Shields in the Kapiti electorate. In the 1990 elections, however, he defeated Shields and entered Parliament. Sowry kept the seat until the 1996 elections, when he unsuccessfully contested the new Otaki seat and became a list MP.

In 19931993 is a common year starting on Friday and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003 Events January January 1 Czechoslovakia divides. Establishment of independent Slovakia and Czech Republic., Sowry was appointed as his party's Junior WhipIn politics, a whip is a member of a political party in a legislature whose task is to ensure that members of the party attend and vote as the party leadership desires. The term originated in the Parliament of the United Kingdom and derives from the "whip, and in 19951995 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). It has a Golden number of 1, and was the first year of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People (1995- 2005): http://www. org/culture/indigenous . Events January events Ja, he became Senior Whip. In December 19961996 was a leap year starting on Monday (see link for calendar), and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty''. Events January January 5 Hamas operative Yahya Ayyash is killed by an Israeli-planted booby-trapped cell phone Jan, he was elevated to CabinetThe New Zealand Cabinet is, in practice, the highest body of the New Zealand government's executive branch. It is made up of the Prime Minister and most ordinary ministers (including associate ministers, acting ministers, and Parliamentary Under-Secretari, becoming Minister of Social Welfare. In 19981998 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar), and was designated the International Year of the Ocean''. Events January January 1998 A massive ice storm, caused by El Nino, strikes New England, southern Ontario and Quebec, resulting, the role was reorganised, becoming Minister of Social Services, Work and Income. He also served for a time as Minister in charge of War Pensions, Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation ( state houseA state house is the meeting place, in a U. state capital, of the state legislature. See, for instance, the Maryland state house. In New Zealand, a state house is a house constructed by the government to rent to private citizens who might otherwise not bes), and Associate Minister of Health. In January 1999For the album by Prince, see 1999 (album 1999 is a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar), and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the UN. Events Kosovo War Former child star Gary Coleman files for bankruptcy Y2K prep, he was given special responsibility for co-ordinating National's relationship with the groups that it relied upon for support ( Mauri Pacific, Mana Wahine, and others).

In October 2001, when Bill English displaced Jenny Shipley as leader of the National Party, Sowry (who had played a significant role in English's rise) became National's deputy leader. He remained in this position until English himself was displaced by Don Brash in October 2003.

On 13 July 2004, Sowry announced that he would not seek re-election, saying that he was looking for a change of career. Some have speculated that there were tensions between Sowry and the party's new leadership, but Sowry denied this. Brash publically praised Sowry's "outstanding contribution" over the years.