Quick Facts
Biography
Robert (Bob) Simcock (born 1947) is a New Zealand politician. He was a Member of Parliament and then Mayor of Hamilton.
Early career
Simcock attended St John's College before graduating from the University of Waikato with a M Soc Sci (Hons).
Before entering politics, Simcock worked both as a deer farmer and as a clinical psychologist.
Member of Parliament
| Parliament of New Zealand | ||||
| Years | Term | Electorate | List | Party |
| 1996–1999 | 45th | Hamilton West | 45 | National |
| 1999–2002 | 46th | List | 22 | National |
Simcock was an MP from 1996 to 2002, representing the National Party. He was first elected to Parliament in the 1996 elections as MP for Hamilton West, defeating the incumbent, Martin Gallagher of the Labour Party. In the 1999 elections, however, Gallagher regained the seat, and Simcock became a list MP. In the 2002 elections, however, the National Party performed poorly, and did not win enough votes for Simcock to remain in Parliament.
Mayor of Hamilton
Simcock was elected to the West Ward of the Hamilton City Council in 2004 and appointed Deputy Mayor that year. Following Michael Redman's resignation in 2007, he was appointed to the position of Mayor of Hamilton. He was elected as Mayor in October 2007 with over 50% of the votes cast. He lost the 2010 mayoral election against Julie Hardaker.