New Zealand

Chlöe Swarbrick is a New Zealand politician who has served as a co-leader of the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand since 2024. First elected to Parliament in 2017 via the party list, she later won the Auckland Central electorate seat in 2020 and was re-elected in 2023. Before entering politics, she worked as a journalist, radio host, and entrepreneur. Swarbrick is known for her advocacy on mental health, drug law reform, climate change, and student rights, and she gained international attention for her viral 'OK boomer' remark in Parliament in 2019.

Christopher Luxon is a New Zealand politician and businessman serving as the 42nd Prime Minister of New Zealand since 2023. A member of the National Party, he has represented the Botany electorate in Parliament since 2020 and previously led the Opposition. Before entering politics, he had a distinguished corporate career, notably serving as the CEO of Air New Zealand from 2013 to 2019. His government focuses on economic growth, tax reform, and a 'tough on crime' agenda, while navigating a three-party coalition.

Erica Stanford is a New Zealand politician currently serving as the Minister of Education and Minister of Immigration in the Sixth National Government. First elected to the House of Representatives for the East Coast Bays electorate in 2017, she previously worked in television production and as a political staffer. As a cabinet minister, she has focused on significant educational reforms, including the implementation of a structured literacy curriculum, a ban on cellphones in schools, and the restructuring of school property management. Her tenure has been marked by ambitious policy shifts aimed at raising academic standards and addressing systemic challenges within the education sector.

David Seymour is a New Zealand politician who has served as the Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand since 2025 and as the Minister for Regulation since 2023. A member of the ACT Party, he has represented the Epsom electorate in the House of Representatives since 2014 and has led the party since 2014. Seymour is known for his advocacy of liberal economic policies and for sponsoring the End of Life Choice Act 2019, which legalized assisted dying in New Zealand following a public referendum. Before entering politics, he worked as an engineer and as a policy analyst for conservative think tanks in Canada.

Christopher Aidan Penk is a New Zealand politician who has served as a Member of Parliament for the National Party since 2017. Currently representing the Kaipara ki Mahurangi electorate, he holds several ministerial portfolios, including Defence, Space, and responsibility for the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service and the Government Communications Security Bureau. A former Royal New Zealand Navy officer and property lawyer, Penk previously served as Chief Opposition Whip. He is known for his conservative-leaning social views and has been a prominent figure in the National-led coalition government's efforts to reform building consent systems and national veteran policies.

Carmel Sepuloni is a New Zealand politician who has served as a Member of Parliament for Kelston since 2014. A member of the Labour Party, she made history as the first person of Tongan descent to serve as Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand, a role she held from 2023 to 2023. Throughout her career, she has held various ministerial portfolios, including Social Development, Disability Issues, and Arts, Culture and Heritage. Before entering politics, she worked as a teacher and in research management within the Pacific health sector. She is currently the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party and continues to advocate for social equity and community development.

Lemauga Lydia Sosene is a New Zealand politician serving as the Member of Parliament for Māngere since 2023. Born in South Auckland to Samoan immigrant parents, she previously served as the chair of the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu local board from 2013 to 2022. She entered Parliament in 2022 following the resignation of Louisa Wall and currently serves as a spokesperson within the Shadow Cabinet of Chris Hipkins, focusing on internal affairs and statistics. Her political career has been marked by advocacy for Pasifika communities, particularly regarding housing, wage growth, and local infrastructure development.

Arena Williams is a New Zealand politician who has served as the Member of Parliament for the Manurewa electorate since 2020. Affiliated with Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki, Ngāi Tūhoe, and Ngāi Tahu, she previously worked as a probation officer and in the legal sector. A graduate of the University of Auckland, Williams was active in student politics before entering national politics. In the Shadow Cabinet, she has held various portfolios including commerce, consumer affairs, and youth. She is known for her advocacy in justice reform and has introduced legislation regarding financial transparency for banking services.

Greg Fleming is a New Zealand politician and Member of Parliament for the Maungakiekie electorate, first elected in the 2023 general election. Before entering politics, he was a prominent figure in the charitable sector, serving as the CEO of The Parenting Place and co-founding the conservative think tank Maxim Institute and the Venn Foundation. In Parliament, he has advocated for civil society organizations and co-sponsored modern slavery legislation. He is known for his focus on community-based approaches to social issues and his support for Māori media funding.

Helen White is a New Zealand politician and barrister who has served as a Member of the New Zealand House of Representatives since 2020. Specializing in employment law, she previously worked with the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union. After unsuccessfully contesting the Auckland Central electorate in 2020, she entered Parliament via the Labour Party list. In 2023, she was elected to represent the Mount Albert electorate. Within the Labour Party's shadow cabinet, she has held various portfolios, including community and voluntary sector and the prevention of family and sexual violence.

Melissa Lee is a New Zealand politician who has served as a Member of Parliament since 2008. Born in South Korea and raised in Malaysia, she moved to New Zealand in 1988 and established a twenty-three-year career in journalism and television production before entering politics. As a member of the National Party, she has held various ministerial portfolios, including Minister for Economic Development and Minister for Ethnic Communities. Throughout her parliamentary career, she has focused on issues such as media policy, ethnic affairs, and economic development, while consistently representing the National Party in the House of Representatives.

Carlos Cheung is a New Zealand politician and medical researcher who has served as the Member of Parliament for Mount Roskill since 2023. Born in Hong Kong, he moved to New Zealand as a teenager and later earned a PhD in biological science from the University of Auckland. Before entering politics, he worked as a medical researcher and founded two property management companies. As a member of the National Party, Cheung focuses on reducing cost-of-living pressures, restoring law and order, and supporting landlords.

Paulo Reyes Garcia is a New Zealand politician and lawyer who serves as a Member of Parliament for the New Lynn electorate. Born in the Philippines, he practiced commercial law there for a decade before moving to New Zealand, where he specialized in immigration law and founded his own firm. In 2019, he became the first MP of Filipino descent in New Zealand history. A member of the National Party, he has focused on justice and social services, notably introducing a successful member's bill to criminalize 'coward punching' acts. He has announced his intention to retire at the 2026 general election.

David Ashley Wilson is a New Zealand politician and member of the New Zealand First party who has served as a Member of the New Zealand House of Representatives since June 2025. An expert in economic development, he previously held leadership roles including CEO of Northland Inc and chairman of the Economic Development Association of New Zealand. He holds a PhD in public policy from the Auckland University of Technology. Throughout his career, Wilson has focused on regional economic development, governance, and innovation, and he is a vocal advocate for consumer protection and accessibility.

Deborah Russell is a New Zealand politician and academic who has served as a Member of the New Zealand House of Representatives since 2017. An expert in taxation and philosophy, she previously worked as a lecturer at Massey University and as a policy analyst. During her parliamentary career, she has held ministerial roles, including Minister of Statistics and Minister Responsible for the Earthquake Commission. Russell is known for her advocacy on tax fairness, gender equality, and transparency in business payment practices. She continues to serve in the Shadow Cabinet, focusing on revenue and climate change portfolios.

Simon Glen Watts is a New Zealand politician serving as the Member of Parliament for North Shore since 2020. A chartered accountant and former paramedic, he has held several ministerial portfolios in the Sixth National Government, including Minister of Climate Change, Minister of Revenue, and Minister for Auckland. Watts has focused his political career on infrastructure development, health sector support, and economic policy. He has been a prominent figure in the government's climate strategy, overseeing the transition away from certain environmental policies while managing energy and local government portfolios.

Dan Bidois is a New Zealand politician who has served as the Member of Parliament for Northcote since 2023, having previously held the seat from 2018 to 2020. Of European and Māori descent, Bidois overcame significant early-life challenges, including a childhood cancer diagnosis, to pursue an academic and professional career in economics and management consulting. He holds degrees from the University of Auckland and a Master of Public Policy from Harvard University. Throughout his career, he has worked for organizations such as Deloitte, the OECD, and Foodstuffs. In Parliament, Bidois has focused on economic productivity, infrastructure, and workplace relations, advocating for competitive enterprise and pragmatic policy solutions.

Simeon Peter Brown is a New Zealand politician serving as a Member of Parliament for the National Party. First elected in 2017 to represent the Pakuranga electorate, he has held several ministerial portfolios in the Sixth National Government, including Minister of Health, Minister for State Owned Enterprises, and Minister of Energy. Known for his socially conservative views, Brown has been a prominent figure in transport and infrastructure policy, advocating for road-focused investment and the repeal of previous government water reforms. He previously served on the Manurewa Local Board and worked as a senior associate at the Bank of New Zealand.

Jenny Salesa is a New Zealand politician and member of the Labour Party who has served as a Member of Parliament since 2014. Of Tongan heritage, she previously worked in the public sector in New Zealand and the United States. During her career, she served as a Cabinet Minister in the Sixth Labour Government, holding portfolios including Building and Construction, Customs, and Ethnic Communities. Following the 2020 election, she served as an Assistant Speaker and currently sits in the Shadow Cabinet as a spokesperson for ethnic communities and associate spokesperson for Pacific Peoples.

Rima Nakhle is a New Zealand politician and a member of the House of Representatives for the Takanini electorate. Born in Sydney, Australia, to parents of Lebanese descent, she holds a law degree from Western Sydney University and is an enrolled barrister and solicitor. Before entering politics, she served as the executive manager of the Te Mahia Community Village. Nakhle is known for her 'tough on crime' political stance, advocating for stricter penalties for drink driving and opposing gang involvement in state-funded rehabilitation programs. She currently serves as the deputy chair of the Māori affairs committee and is a member of the justice committee.

Oriini Kaipara is a New Zealand politician and former award-winning broadcaster who has served as a Member of Parliament for Tāmaki Makaurau since September 2025. Before entering politics, she gained international recognition as the first television news presenter to feature a traditional moko kauae facial tattoo, working for major networks including TVNZ and Three. A strong advocate for Māori rights and the revitalization of te reo Māori, she has emphasized her identity as a product of Māori resilience. In her parliamentary role, she has campaigned on issues such as the repeal of the Gangs Act 2024 and the protection of indigenous cultural heritage.

Philip Stoner Twyford is a New Zealand politician who has served as the Member of Parliament for Te Atatū since 2011. A member of the Labour Party, he previously held several ministerial portfolios, including Minister of Housing and Urban Development and Minister of Transport, during the Sixth Labour Government. Before entering politics, he worked as a journalist, trade union organiser, and the founding director of Oxfam New Zealand. Twyford identifies as a social democrat and has been a prominent figure in urban development and foreign affairs policy within the Labour Party.

Cameron Brewer is a New Zealand politician currently serving as the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing, and associate Minister of Immigration. A member of the National Party, he has represented the Upper Harbour electorate in the New Zealand House of Representatives since 2023. Prior to his parliamentary career, Brewer served as an Auckland councillor for the Ōrākei ward from 2010 to 2016 and worked extensively in communications and journalism. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in history and sociology from Massey University.

Karen Chhour is a New Zealand politician who has served as a Member of Parliament for ACT New Zealand since 2020. Of Māori descent, she spent time in foster care during her youth, an experience that has heavily influenced her political focus on child poverty, social development, and youth justice. In 2023, she was appointed Minister for Children and Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence. During her tenure, she has been a prominent advocate for the repeal of Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act and the implementation of military-style academies for serious youth offenders, policies that have drawn both support and significant public debate.

Mark Mitchell is a New Zealand politician and senior cabinet minister who has served as a Member of the New Zealand House of Representatives since 2011. A former police officer and international security contractor, he has held several ministerial portfolios, including Minister of Police, Minister of Corrections, and Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery. Mitchell is known for his firm stance on law and order, advocating for tougher sentencing, the implementation of youth boot camps, and legislative measures to combat gang activity. He represents the Whangaparāoa electorate for the National Party and has been a prominent figure in the government's efforts to reform the corrections and justice sectors.

Tom Rutherford is a New Zealand politician and communications executive who has served as the Member of Parliament for the Bay of Plenty since October 2023. Before entering national politics, he worked as a communications executive for the Rotorua Lakes Council and served as a Youth MP in 2013. Rutherford is also an active community member, serving as a volunteer firefighter, a hockey umpire, and a rugby referee. His political priorities include addressing the cost of living, improving regional transport infrastructure, and advocating for increased police powers.

Cameron Luxton is a New Zealand politician serving as a list Member of Parliament for ACT New Zealand since the 2023 general election. Raised in Papamoa, he previously worked as a dairy farmer and a self-employed builder. Before entering Parliament, he contested the Tauranga electorate in 2020 and a 2022 by-election. As an MP, he serves as the ACT spokesperson for portfolios including conservation, housing, and infrastructure. His legislative work has focused on local government reform and the removal of trading restrictions, including a notable private member's bill regarding Easter alcohol sales.

Todd McClay is a New Zealand politician who has served as the Member of Parliament for Rotorua since 2008. A member of the National Party, he has held several ministerial portfolios, including Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Forestry, and Minister of Trade. Before entering domestic politics, McClay had a significant diplomatic career, serving as the first accredited diplomat for the Cook Islands to the European Union. Throughout his parliamentary tenure, he has focused on trade relations, agricultural policy, and regional development, playing a key role in securing multiple free trade agreements for New Zealand.

Jan Tinetti is a New Zealand politician who has served as a Member of Parliament since 2017. A former primary school teacher and principal with 20 years of experience in education, she previously held several ministerial portfolios, including Minister of Education, Minister of Internal Affairs, and Minister for Women. Throughout her career, she has focused on education policy, child poverty reduction, and social investment. She currently serves in the Shadow Cabinet, holding responsibilities for workplace relations, safety, and social investment.

Sam Uffindell is a New Zealand politician who has served as the Member of Parliament for Tauranga since winning a by-election in June 2022. Before entering politics, he worked as an international banking executive in Sydney and Singapore, holding positions at Westpac and Deutsche Bank, and later served as the head of financial economic crime for Rabobank New Zealand. His political priorities include improving infrastructure, addressing gang crime, and advocating for equal suffrage in government. Uffindell holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Studies, a Bachelor of Commerce in Management, and a Master of International Law and International Relations.