David Shearer Politician

David James Shearer MBE (born 28 July 1957) is a New Zealand politician and former United Nations worker. He spent nearly 20 years working for the UN, managing the provision of aid to countries including Somalia, Rwanda, Liberia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Lebanon and Iraq. In 1992, Shearer was named (together with his wife) as New Zealander of the Year by the New Zealand Herald. The following year he was appointed as Member of the British Empire (MBE) in the British New Years Honours list. In 2009 he won the Mount Albert by-election becoming a Member of the Parliament of New Zealand for the Labour Party. He was the leader of the Labour Party from December 2011 to August 2013. He currently serves as the party spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Energy & Resources.