During the 2002–2005 term, he was given additional responsibility as Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector and Minister for Small Business. In 2005, Barker was re-appointed to Cabinet as the Minister of Internal Affairs, Minister for Courts, Minister of Civil Defence and Minister of Veterans' Affairs. Barker lost his ministerial warrants following Labour's defeat in the 2008 election; however, Barker was appointed by the House of Representatives to the role of Assistant Speaker for the 49th New Zealand Parliament for the session 2008–11. As a cabinet minister, Barker was entitled to the title of The Honourable and became The Hon. Rick (Richard) Barker which is a title he was granted for the rest of his life after his term of office. Post-parliamentary roles Barker was elected to the Hawke's Bay Regional Council in 2013, representing the Hastings constituency. In 2016 he was appointed deputy chair of the council. On 30 June 2021 he was elected chair, holding the role until October 2022. In June 2018, Barker was appointed chairperson of the West Coast District Health Board by the Minister of Health, David Clark. He was reappointed in December 2019. Personal life He is married to Patsy and has three children. Notes References External links Hon Rick Barker at the New Zealand Parliament website |- |- |- 1951 births Living people Members of the Cabinet of New Zealand New Zealand Labour Party MPs University of Otago alumni People from Greymouth New Zealand list MPs Unsuccessful candidates in the 2011 New Zealand general election Members of the New Zealand House of Representatives People educated at Greymouth High School 21st-century New Zealand politicians Hawke's Bay regional councillors West Coast District Health Board members