Introduction
Ron Stanley Mark (born 1954) is a New Zealand politician, and is the former mayor of Carterton, Wairarapa, New Zealand.
Early years
Born in Carterton in 1954, Mark was educated at Tararua College. Before entering politics, he served in the New Zealand Army and in both the Sultan of Oman's Armed Forces and the Sultan of Oman's Special Forces.
Member of Parliament
| Parliament of New Zealand | ||||
| Years | Term | Electorate | List | Party |
| 1996–1999 | 45th | List | 11 | NZ First |
| 1999–2002 | 46th | List | 4 | NZ First |
| 2002–2005 | 47th | List | 4 | NZ First |
| 2005–2008 | 48th | List | 4 | NZ First |
| 2014–present | 51st | List | 9 | NZ First |
In the 1993 election he was the Labour candidate for the Selwyn electorate. He was later involved in the discussions about the formation of the New Zealand Democratic Coalition. When these failed, he joined New Zealand First.
He is a member of the New Zealand First party. He has been a list MP from the 1996 elections until his party's failure to retain any seats in the 2008 elections. During the (1996–98) coalition between New Zealand First and the National Party, he was the government's Senior Whip.
Media
The New Zealand television channel TV3 was banned for three days from filming in Parliament in August 2006 for showing Mark repeatedly giving the finger to another MP.
In 2009, Mark told media that while he still had a subscription with New Zealand First, he was "not active", and that wouldn't rule out standing for Parliament with another party.
Mayor of Carterton
In 2010 he was elected Mayor of Carterton in the Wairarapa. He succeeded outspoken mayor Gary McPhee who retired after two-terms. In the 2013 local elections, Mark was returned as mayor unopposed.
Return to parliament
In August 2014 it was announced that Mark would return as a New Zealand First MP; he resigned as Mayor and was replaced by John Booth.
On 3 July 2015, he replaced Tracey Martin as deputy leader of NZ First.
Personal life
Formerly married to Gail Mark, née Berry, he has five children and eleven grandchildren.