network, saying that the city was "grossly short" of motorways. As the National Party's transport spokesperson in the 2008 general election, he prompted controversy for supporting significant road tolls to enable new motorway construction projects. In 2015, he advocated for two local roads in his Pakuranga electorate to be redesignated as state highways, as he felt Auckland Transport was prioritising public transport infrastructure too heavily in planning. 'Big gay rainbow' speech In April 2013, Williamson voted in favour of the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill which legalised same-sex marriage, delivering a memorable speech prior to the third reading vote. The speech was soon being referenced worldwide by news outlets and was chosen as 2013's quote of the year by Massey University. With Williamson's sarcastic and honest approach, the speech was viewed hundreds of thousands of times over the next few days, and featured on high-profile news sites like The Huffington Post and Gawker. Williamson said he had an offer to go on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, but had to turn it down due to rules around ministers accepting gifts. Williamson was later given approval by the prime minister to go on the show as long as he donated any money received to charity. Williamson's speech was praised by Opposition politicians and left-wing media commentators. Later career and return to politics After he announced his intention to leave parliament at the 2017 election, Williamson was appointed the New Zealand consul-general in Los Angeles in 2016. He took up the post the following year. Williamson returned to the New Zealand political scene in 2022 by running for Auckland Council as one of the two councillors for the Howick Ward, which encompasses all of Williamson's former Pakuranga parliamentary electorate. Williamson ran on a ticket with sitting councillor Sharon Stewart, and in October 2022 Williamson and Stewart were both elected, defeating sitting Howick councillor Paul Young. References External links Profile at National party Voting record at CommoNZ (conscience votes) Maurice Williamson at Times Online Executive Government 1993-6: Maurice Williamson Executive Government 1996-9: Maurice Williamson 1951 births Living people Members of the Cabinet of New Zealand Government ministers of New Zealand New Zealand National Party MPs University of Auckland alumni Members of the New Zealand House of Representatives New Zealand MPs for Auckland electorates People from Matamata 21st-century New Zealand politicians