The 39-year-old has spent the past 10 years working as a teacher in the secondary and tertiary sectors, and currently heads the business school at Whitireia Polytechnic, where he also lectures in economics.
He thinks the National-led Government has been too short-sighted.
"One of the biggest indictments is the [partial] asset sales. That's pretty cynical. They sold off highly profitable assets that would have made us the same sum of money over a longer period of time, but once they're sold, it's hard to get them back."
He also describes as "flawed" National's flagship education policy of pouring $359 million into teacher quality and professional development, which National says is the number one factor to lift student achievement.
"There's other research just as valid which says class sizes are one of the most significant factors in a child's learning," Mr Tabuteau says.
He doesn't like to pigeon-hole himself into a political ideology. He is in favour of gay marriage and gay adoption, keeping the drinking age at 18, and the status quo on prostitution. He wants a referendum on cannabis decriminalisation.
But he refuses to say where he stands on the death penalty, or why, offering only "no comment".
He says the party's policy of regional royalties would help Rotorua lift its game. Under the proposal, 25 per cent of the royalties from extractive industries would go back into the region.
"It's about giving back and making sure the region benefit from some of these corporates operating in their backyard.
"I'm Rotorua born and raised. For me, the locals are part of what gets me active and makes me this political beast."
Fletcher Tabuteau
* New Zealand First list MP, candidate for Rotorua
* Fond of action movies
* Part Maori; wants the Maori seats abolished
* Supports the current NZ flag
* "No comment" on the death penalty
