Introduction
Kerry James "Chester" Borrows (born 20 June 1957) is a New Zealand politician.
Early years
Born in 1957, Borrows was raised in Nelson and was educated at Nayland College. Borrows joined the New Zealand Police and worked in Nelson, Wellington and Auckland before becoming the sole charge officer in Patea. In 2002 he graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from Victoria University of Wellington, was admitted to the bar. He subsequently worked as a lawyer in Hawera.
Member of Parliament
| Parliament of New Zealand | ||||
| Years | Term | Electorate | List | Party |
| 2005–2008 | 48th | Whanganui | 34 | National |
| 2008–2011 | 49th | Whanganui | 42 | National |
| 2011–2014 | 50th | Whanganui | 32 | National |
| 2014 – present | 51st | Whanganui | 22 | National |
In the 2005 election, Borrows stood as the National Party's candidate for seat of Whanganui, and was successful, defeating the incumbent Jill Pettis of the Labour Party. He had been unsuccessful in the 1999 and 2002 elections, and had decided to stand again after initial reluctance.
Borrows had proposed an amendment to the Crimes (Abolition of Force as a Justification for Child Discipline) Amendment Bill (now passed into law as the Crimes (Substituted Section 59) Amendment Act 2007) that allowed for the use of force on children providing that is does not "cause or contribute materially to harm that is more than transitory and trifling".
After the 2011 election Borrows was appointed a Minister outside Cabinet for Courts; his appointment being alongside new Ministers outside Cabinet Jo Goodhew and Chris Tremain. He replaced outgoing MP Georgina Teheuheu and also received the associate portfolios of Justice and Social Development.
Following the 2014 General Election Borrows retained his seat and, upon request from the Prime Minister John Key, moved into the role of Deputy Speaker replacing Eric Roy who had retired from the role and Parliament. Borrows was granted the style The Honourable for life by the usual convention for outgoing Ministers. Borrows caused controversy when he stated in the local paper, the Whanganui Chronicle, that civil servants were "dickhead bureaucrats" for enforcing health & safety measures in a local farm.
In July 2016, Borrows allegedly drove his car into a line of protesters demonstrating against the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement, and is awaiting trial on two charges.
In 2016, Borrows announced that he will not be seeking re-election during the 2017 general election.
Personal life
His parents were lifelong socialists. He now lives in Hawera with his wife, Ella and they have three children. He is a lay preacher in the Presbyterian Church. In 2007 he had a "stomach-stapling" operation to reduce weight.