He began selling and servicing tractors in Matamata before deciding to import V8 motors from the United States, a business he continued for nine years.
[1] He challenged Winston Peters, leader of the New Zealand First party, who had held the seat for twenty-one years.
The contest was of national significance as a party must win 5% of the vote or an electorate seat to qualify for proportional representation in parliament.
As a member of parliament, Clarkson was the National Party's associate spokesperson for Building and Construction and Housing.
It was claimed Clarkson repeatedly made jokes, such as "I bet my left testicle the all blacks will win" to female employees.
[4] Winston Peters filed a petition in the High Court of New Zealand alleging that Clarkson had spent more on campaigning than is allowed under the Electoral Act 1993.
[5] In several interviews, Clarkson made a number of comments which caused offense to Muslim and homosexual groups.
Clarkson also made reference to the number of gay and lesbian Members of Parliament (MPs) in the New Zealand Labour Party and was quoted as saying "We've got a problem there they are employing more of those than average people.
[7] Clarkson during a parliamentary debate on an electricity regulation to protect vulnerable customers yelled out "pay your bill" several times while the case of Folole Muliaga was being discussed.