National MP Christopher Luxon. Photo / Mark Mitchell
National MP Christopher Luxon. Photo / Mark Mitchell
OPINION:
Grant Robertson's Budget and the Lawyers & Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal hearing involving a former Russell McVeagh partner somewhat eclipsed the release of the 2021 Pecuniary and Other Specified Interests Register. No matter! While it's been canvassed in previous columns, let's look at those MPs who managed to escape thewrath of fire by virtue of the fact they're relatively new to Parliament.
Houses for one, houses for many in the Labour Party
Camilla Belich jointly owns a family home in Auckland, she rents out a former family home (leasehold property) in London, and has a beneficial interest in a family holiday home at Waikanae Beach.
Glen Bennett owns a family home in New Plymouth and Rachel Boyack jointly owns a family home in Nelson. Naisi Chen may have controlling interests in Gian Consultants Limited, Dream and See Limited, and Gal.S Consultants Limited, she's yet to enter the property market.
Barbara Edmonds, jointly owns a family home in Tītahi Bay, Porirua, and a family home in Ōtāhuhu, Auckland. Shanan Halbert jointly owns just one family home in Auckland. The same could be said for Dr Emily Henderson, who owns a family home in Maungatapere, Whangārei.
Ingrid Leary owns a family home in South Dunedin and a rental property in Auckland. Dr Anae Leavasa jointly owns a family home in Auckland. Steph Lewis jointly owns a family home in Whanganui, a family home in Alicetown in Lower Hutt, and her mother's home by way of Red's Family Trust in South Taranaki.
Anna Lorck jointly owns a family home and lifestyle block in Hastings. Dr Tracey McLellan owns a family home in Christchurch. Terisa Ngobi owns a family home in Levin. Ibrahim Omer, like Naisi Chen, is not on the property ladder.
Sarah Pallett jointly owns an apartment in Wellington and a house in Queenstown. She also owns a house in North Canterbury.
Dr Gaurav Sharma has a family home held in trust in Hamilton. Tangi Utikere jointly owns a family home in Palmerston North. Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall jointly owns a family home in Brooklyn, Wellington, and a family property in Malé, the Maldives - oh la la!
Vanushi Walters jointly owns a family home in Waitakere and last but not least, Helen White has a home held in trust in Morningside, Auckland.
National party gaga over the housing market
Moving on. Nicola Grigg has a rental property in St Albans, Christchurch, and a residential property in Prebbleton. Christopher Luxon has two residential properties in Auckland and a residential property in Wellington. He also has not one, not two, not three, but four investment properties in Auckland.
Joseph Mooney has a house in Queenstown, a house in Invercargill, and a section in Wānaka. Penny Simmonds owns two residential rental properties in Invercargill, and not one, not two, but three family "cribs" in Riverton. Simon Watts has a family home held in trust in the North Shore.
Act, the Greens and the Māori party
Chris Baillie has a family home in Nelson. Mark Cameron has a farm held in trust in Ruawai, Northland. Karen Chhour jointly owns a family home in Auckland. Simon Court jointly owns a family home in Waitakere, and family homes held in trust in Rotorua, and Whangaparāoa, Auckland.
James McDowall jointly owns a family home in Hamilton. So does Nicole McKee, who jointly owns a family home in Wellington. Toni Severin has a family home in Christchurch and a commercial property - both held in trust - in Alicetown, Lower Hutt. Damien Smith may have a controlling interest in TMG International Limited, and an interest in MSL UK and MSL Australia but he is without a dwelling.
Act Party deputy leader Brooke van Velden. Photo / NZME
Act's Brooke van Velden has a family home held in trust in Auckland.
Green party MP Elizabeth Kerekere has a family home in Gisborne. Ricardo Menéndez March has KiwiSaver but sadly no house, and Teanau Tuiono has a family home in Manawatū and a whānau home in Manurewa.
Finally, Māori party MP Debbie Ngarewa-Packer owns a family lifestyle property in Hāwera, and Rawiri Waititi jointly owns a family home in Whakatāne.
If my calculations are correct, just nine of the 120 MPs don't own property. It's not so much a question of poo-pooing those who are living the Kiwi dream but rather, if our Members of Parliament don't proportionally reflect the reality of what New Zealanders face - namely renting property - then how can we ensure they're meaningfully representing New Zealanders' interests?
- Sasha Borissenko is a freelance journalist who has reported extensively on the law industry.
