Keith James Locke MNZM (15 April 1944 – 21 June 2024) was a New Zealand activist and politician.

[3][4] His parents were Jack and Elsie Locke, prominent lifelong political activists for a wide variety of causes.

[7] Locke attended Christchurch Boys' High School[8] and received a BSc in psychology from the University of Canterbury, where he was active in the New Left Club.

From 1979 to 1986, he worked as an active socialist and unionist in a car factory, railway workshops and meatworks in the Wellington region.

From 1986 to 1990, Locke worked full-time as the national coordinator of the Philippines Solidarity Network, based in Auckland.

From 1990 to 1999, he was manager of One World Books, a non-profit bookshop in Auckland specialising in social, environmental and development issues.

He was also a Green Party spokesperson for state services, police, security, human rights, and Auckland transport.

[28] He was involved in campaigns against the New Zealand Police being armed with Taser guns, and repeal of the law of sedition.

During his time in Parliament Locke was a leading critic of New Zealand's anti-terrorist legislation, such as the Terrorism Suppression Act 2002,[29] which he argued breached human rights principles.

"[32] In 2002, Locke put forward the Head of State (Referenda) Bill, which if passed would have brought about a referendum on the question of whether New Zealand should become a republic.

With Sue Kedgley, Locke's retirement completed the departure of the first intake of Green Party MPs from 1999.

[41] In the 2021 New Year Honours, Locke was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to human rights advocacy.

[42] His political opponents referred to him during question time as "Pol Pot" or "the Honourable Member for Cambodia" due to supportive articles he wrote while editor of the New Zealand Socialist Action newspaper about the Khmer Rouge regime under the headline; Cambodia liberated: victory for humanity.

[44] Locke explained that his previous support for the Soviet invasion was the position of the Socialist Action League, that he was wrong to have supported it, that he was incorrect in believing it would protect human rights in Afghanistan, and that he now believed it encouraged Islamic extremist groups.

[47][48] On Sunday 25 September 2005 Locke walked near-naked down Broadway (a main shopping street in Newmarket, Auckland) wearing shoes, socks, a G-string, and body paint.

[49] After retiring from Parliament, Locke joined the boards of the Auckland Refugee Council and the New Zealand Peace and Conflict Studies Centre Trust.