He was born in Mt Eden Auckland and is married to Jan.
George Hawkins had two sons: George (27) and Cameron, who died in 1989. George (jnr) is currently a Graduate and Teacher at a school in Ichikawa, Japan.
George Hawkins was educated at Mt Albert Grammar 1960-1963 and graduated from Auckland Teachers' College with a Trained Teachers' Certificate in January 1967.
He was Mayor of Papakura from 1983 through to 1992 and was a Papakura City councillor from 1980 through to 1983.
On being elected Mayor in 1983, he had his entire group of candidates elected to Council. This was the first time a City Council had completely changed in New Zealand's history.
This of course, presented a number of challenges as none of the Councillors had any local body experience. However, it is a testament to George Hawkins' management and political skills that he was re-elected unopposed as Mayor in 1986 and 1989. His entire group of candidates was also re-elected.
As an MP from 1990 through to 1999, George Hawkins' responsibilities placed him at the forefront of crucial issues facing New Zealanders. He served as Spokesperson on the Police & Serious Fraud Office, was Associate Spokesperson on Internal Affairs, NZ Fire Service Inquiry, and Customs. He was also formally Spokesperson for Local Government, and Urban Affairs. He was a member of the Justice & Law Reform Select Committee, and a former member Internal Affairs and Local Government. Select Committees, Planning and Development, Racing, and Transport Select committees.
George Hawkins is a former Chairperson of the Papakura LEC, Manurewa LEC Office holder; past chairperson Rosehill Branch Post Primary Teachers' Association; past chairperson Papakura Central School committee; former deputy chairperson: Franklin Arts Council. He was a member of the ASB Community Trust for ten years.
George Hawkins was elected Chairperson of the Auckland Local Bodies Airport Partners' Committee (1987) to negotiate changes to the Airport Authorities Bill. This was carried out successfully. In this position he had to bring the twenty-nine local bodies of Auckland together to form the Auckland Airport Company with the Government. This was accomplished. The shareholding of all parties was also negotiated.
