National's class of 2023: The MPs elected for the first time in a general election.
It’s not easy being a first-term MP in a party that has just gone into Government. The focus of the leadership needs to be on governing, not the newcomers.
National has 20 MPs elected for the first time in 2023, a large intake for one party. All but one, Nancy Lu, is an electorate MP.
They are all hard-working, have deep loyalties to their electorates and are ambitious. They retain a certain collegiality having been elected together. But they are also aware they are competing with others for the next ministerial vacancy, along with MPs from previous intakes.
First-term MPs cannot have their hands held. Much of their success depends on how they conduct themselves in the caucus, select committees, the House and in their electorates.
Some of the newbies revel in the debating chamber. Some get their names mentioned in Hansard way more than others including Ryan Hamilton, Grant McCallum, Vanessa Weenink and Tom Rutherford. But that can be a deceptive measure of anything. Those MPs move closure motions more than their colleagues, which means they move that debate on a bill during the committee stage be ended.
Pre-determined expectations can influence perceptions of success. Some MPs arrive with high expectations for their performance which may or may not be met and others may arrive with lower expectations which are exceeded.
Rutherford, the MP for Bay of Plenty, arrived with relatively low expectations of him. He was selected late after the retirement of Todd Muller. He had previously stood for selection when Simon Bridges’ retirement forced a byelection in Tauranga but missed out to Sam Uffindell. He is the youngest caucus member but has made an impression in a short time through his commitment to the debating chamber, and his role in running caucus ginger groups.
Two new MPs last year were hand-picked early as potential high flyers, James Meager and Katie Nimon, when they were chosen by the Prime Minister to move and second the Address-in-Reply debate. Then both were given select committees to chair. Neither has disappointed and they are rated highest along with Rutherford.
There are no duds in the class of 2023, although David MacLeod’s career was put on pause after failure to disclose donations was investigated by the police. No charges were laid but it has been a debilitating start for the New Plymouth MP. For that reason, he is rated lowest.
Returning MPs Dan Bidois and Paulo Garcia are put into the 2023 year group (including the photo above) because it was the first year they were elected at a general election. But Bidois won the Northcote byelection in 2018 and Garcia was a list MP for 18 months before failing to return at the 2020 election. They are not part of my ratings for the class of 2023.
Miles Anderson - C
Waitaki
Primary production committee deputy chairman.
Among the farmers in the National caucus - and there are many - he was one of two chosen to go on the primary production select committee. Previously involved on the board of Federated Farmers and as chairman of the Meat and Wool Industry Group. His last speech in the general debate was about the end of the “war on farmers”.
QUOTE: “The rural sector is under extreme duress as international trading conditions have tightened in the past 18 months, various weather events have made production difficult, and inflation and interest rates have eroded profitability.”
OF NOTE: Helped to pioneer the business of ultrasounds for farm animals.
Member’s Bill in ballot: Wilding Conifer Control and Eradication Legislation Bill – would require stewardship land and non-urban Crown land affected by or at risk of being affected by wilding conifer to be leased or disposed of subject to certain conditions.
Carl Bates - C
Whanganui
Education and workforce committee deputy chairman, Petitions committee member
A former Young Nat who worked for many years overseas most recently in Africa in board governance and returned to regain a seat held mostly by National in the past 20 years. Brings an intelligent and focused contribution to issues. His last speech in the general debate was in support of the ban on gang patches.
QUOTE: “The free ride for gangs is over when the clock strikes midnight tonight.”
OF NOTE: Forced onto crutches recently when he had his knee-cap dislocated by a speeding child on a slip and slide.
Member’s Bill in ballot: Juries (Age of Excusal) Amendment Bill – would increase the age at which a court registrar has the discretion and duty to excuse a person summoned to attend as a juror from 65 to 72.
Cameron Brewer - B
Upper Harbour
Governance and administration committee deputy chairman, Justice committee member
Fits easily into the job, as though he has been there much more than a year. Has had the benefit of being an active party member for most of his adult life as well as being a former parliamentary staffer. Confident, dependable and versatile in the House and helped to bring National onside to vote for the Samoan citizenship bill. Is also an important member of the justice committee. His last general debate speech, which is a five-minute free for all, was about “five wins in five mins”.
QUOTE: “I want to acknowledge the sponsor, Green MP Teanau Tuiono, for his work - all his work - and leadership and willingness to adapt his original bill to get it over the line.” [Samoa Citizenship bill].
OF NOTE: Former Auckland City Councillor.
Member’s Bill in ballot: Life Jackets for Children and Young Persons Bill – it would require anyone under the age of 15 to wear a life jacket on a recreational craft of 6m or less.
Mike Butterick - C
Wairarapa
Environment committee deputy chairman, Education and workforce committee member
Got into Parliament on his second go, unseating Labour’s Kieran McAnulty. Salt of the Earth type and passionate about farming and supporting rural communities. Last speech in the general debate was about farming and the economy and ended with a poem about tax.
QUOTE: “…They’d tax our sheep. They’d tax our cow. They’d tax us anyway or anyhow. What about our ties? Even our shirt? They’d even try to tax our dirt.”
OF NOTE: While his electorate is called Wairarapa, it goes as far north as Waipukurau in Central Hawke’s Bay.
Member’s Bill in ballot: Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Restrictions on Issue of Off-Licences and Low and No Alcohol Products) Amendment Bill – would allow premises with both a shop and a restaurant to hold an on-licence for the restaurant and an off-licence for the shop.
Dr Hamish Campbell - C
Illam
Health committee deputy chairman, Environment committee member
A details person as befits someone who had a career in medical research. Returned from researching multiple sclerosis in Australia to win Gerry Brownlee’s former seat, Illam. A low-fuss sort of MP compared to the self-promoters but getting on with it. His last speech in the general debate was on cancer research and treatment.
QUOTE: “I have a special connection with [acute myeloid leukaemia]. It was the first cancer that I ever worked on and I discovered a genetic mutation in a Christchurch family with a predisposition to leukaemia.”
OF NOTE: Featured in Country Calendar in June in a show about the family’s organic apple orchard outside Christchurch.
Has already had a personal win. His member’s Bill, Income Tax (ACC Payments) Amendment Bill, drawn from the ballot in February, which would have allowed for fairer taxation of ACC lump sum payments but it has been discharged because it was incorporated into and passed in the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023 – 24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill earlier this year.
Dr Carlos Cheung - C
Mt Roskill
Health committee member
Full of surprises. He surprised everyone by winning a former Labour stronghold and will be concentrating on retaining it when Labour’s Michael Wood tries to regain it. Has a PhD in biological sciences. Surprisingly, his last speech in the general debate was about Taylor Swift and Pink and how the bill he has put into the member’s ballot (see below) would liberalise consents for concerts and be a boon to the economy, be it tourism, hospitality and transport sectors. Pink’s concert in Dunedin had attracted 37,000 and generated $16 million for the Dunedin economy.
QUOTE: “[Pink] played smash hits like Just Like a Pill, Raise Your Glass, Try, and…one of my favourites during my university time, Get the Party Started.”
OF NOTE: Born in Hong Kong, arrived in New Zealand as a teenager with his parents and went on to study at Auckland University.
Member’s Bill in ballot: Resource Management (Concerts) Amendment Bill – would require consent authorities to grant a minimum of 15 consents per year, per major stadium, for concerts.
Tim Costley - C
Ōtaki
Foreign affairs, defence and trade committee member, Governance and administration committee member
Former Air Force helicopter pilot who arrived in Parliament with huge confidence. It’s easy to notice him because he does everything emphatically and with a sense of self-awareness. Received attention for claiming a Wellington accommodation allowance for a place he stays in when the House is sitting late. But it was well within the rules. Last speech in the general debate was about the speed limit on Kāpiti Expressway being raised to 110km/ph.
QUOTE: “We’re all thinking of Ryan Hamilton in his maiden speech talking about driving down the Cambridge Expressway at 110 with AC/DC blaring. I will be the same. Sadly, in my case it is Taylor Swift due to the three daughters I have, but I’m okay with that. I’ve made my peace.”
OF NOTE: Was equerry to Prince William during a royal visit in 2014.
Member’s Bill in ballot: Administrative Areas Bill – would require each government entity to align boundaries within five years and to align them with local authority boundaries.
Greg Fleming - C
Maungakiekie
Māori affairs committee member, Petitions committee deputy chairman
Co-chair NZ-Australia Inter-parliamentary Friendship Group
There is no one quite like Fleming in the National Party. He is an active Christian and set up the conservative think-tank the Maxim Institute but he is not exactly a right-wing fundamentalist. He is a Pākehā who speaks fluent Māori. He has a strong sense of social justice and human rights. His last speech in the general debate paid tribute to a large group of charities and community groups working in his electorate.
QUOTE: “Dredge, please, the Onehunga lagoon … It was small compensation for Onehunga’s loss of its waterfront when State Highway 20 was set up in the 1970s. For about three decades, it was a beautiful, beautiful lagoon. It is no longer, and we need it dredged.”
OF NOTE: His member’s Bill was drawn from the ballot, is partway through its first reading and looks set to get to a select committee.
He had his member’s Bill, Crimes, (Increased Penalties for Slavery Offences) Amendment Bill, drawn from the ballot in March. It would strengthen New Zealand’s approach to dealing in human trafficking, increase the penalties for dealing in slaves to match those of trafficking in persons, bringing it more in line with similar countries.
Ryan Hamilton - C
Hamilton East
Finance and expenditure committee member, Regulations review committee deputy chairman
Has the unusual advantage of having his electorate in his name, and had a high profile as a former Hamilton City councillor. Given a seat on the finance and expenditure committee after David MacLeod stepped down. Has benefited from having relatively low expectations about him as an MP and having exceeded them. His last speech in the general debate was about tax cuts giving relief to the cost of living crisis.
QUOTE: “How about Darryl in Te Rapa, who couldn’t afford a coffee for a while, and now, on smoko break, as the sun pops out through the dark, foggy Waikato mornings … he can go and sip his flat white, with his extra $3.50 a day.”
OF NOTE: Went to the Pearl Jam concert in Auckland in November, according to his Facebook page.
Member’s Bill in ballot: Gang Free Ports Bill – would introduce compulsory police vetting for anyone working at ports, mail centres, or airport baggage centres with access to restricted areas to identify people who have gang affiliation.
Dana Kirkpatrick - C
East Coast
Third National whip
Foreign affairs, defence and trade committee member, Parliament Bill committee member
Made third whip, a role to which she is well suited with ability to organise and get on with people. But her biggest claim to public fame is the hairdressing bill she has put into the ballot which could enhance the experience (see below). A former comms professional, she won the seat previously held by Anne Tolley and for a term by Kiri Allan. Her last speech in the general debate was about lower inflation and lower interest rates.
QUOTE: “For [Rawiri Waititi] to suggest that a police operation designed to crack down on methamphetamine distribution, criminal activity, and lawlessness as terrorism is outrageous and disconnected.” Special debate on constituency issues.
OF NOTE: When she texted her mother to say she was about to speak in the House, she replied “whatever you do, don’t sing”.
Member’s Bill in ballot: Hairdressing (Reducing Restrictions) Legislation Bill – it would reduce restrictions applying to hairdressers and barbers and allow 1.5 standard alcohol drinks to be served and allow dogs on the premises.
Nancy Lu - C
List
Finance and expenditure committee member, Co-chair NZ - North and Central Asia Inter-parliamentary Friendship Group
National’s only list MP, she plays an important role behind the scenes with Chinese New Zealanders. Speaks Mandarin and Cantonese as well as English. A qualified accountant, she graduated in 2023 with a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. Her last speech in the general debate was on cost of living relief.
QUOTE: “I have met a family who told me they have to borrow $5 to fill up gas so they can drive to a supermarket to get some food for the family. So $2.50 matters; every cent matters and every single dollar matters.”
OF NOTE: Told Parliament she lost a $700 gift card from family and friends to mark the birth of her first daughter and by the time she found it, it had expired. She blamed it on “baby brain.”
Member’s Bill in ballot: Plain Language Act Repeal Bill – would repeal the Plain Language Act 2022 the purpose of which is to require Government agencies to produce clear and concise documents.
David MacLeod - D
New Plymouth
Māori affairs committee member, Regulations Review committee member
Began as the candidate from central casting and one of the bright hopes with a strong local profile, numerous board roles and having run his own electrician business. Was made chairman of the environment select committee and a member of the finance and expenditure committee. Was stood down pending a police investigation into failure to declare donations. It has concluded it was an error and no charges were laid but he should be under no illusion that it is a long way back up. May have lost confidence but needs to reset after his annus horribilis. His last speech in the general debate was about the importance of natural gas as an energy source in the transition to renewables.
QUOTE: “Industry is reliant on affordable, reliable electricity and gas and other energy sources. If we don’t get this right, we are at risk as a country.”
OF NOTE: Was chairman of Taranaki Regional Council for 15 years.
Grant McCallum - B
Northland
Transport and Infrastructure committee deputy chairman, Education and Workforce committee member
An exuberant MP with a streak of independence and an ability to surprise. A beef and dairy farmer, he has been active in the party including 10 years serving on its board of directors. Runs the party’s Bluegreens advisory group on environmental issues. His last speech in the general debate was about the planned four-lane expressway to Northland and his bid for compensation for businesses affected by the power blackout in June when an unbolted Transpower pylon fell over. He got $1 million.
Member’s Bill in ballot: Policing (Killing a Police Dog) Amendment Bill would increase the penalty for killing a police dog from a maximum of two years to five years.
QUOTE: “Transpower owes Northland. This was not an act of God; it was an act of incompetence.”
OF NOTE: Presented the chairman of Transpower, Keith Turner, with a giant wrench – for tightening bolts during his appearance at a select committee in scrutiny week.
James Meager - A
Rangitata
Justice committee chairman
Former lawyer and can be considered to be in the waiting room for Cabinet. Not only delivered a superb maiden speech but as chairman of justice committee, has been or will be at the front end of the public response to some of the Government’s most controversial policies: Treaty Principles bill, gang patch ban, foreshore and seabed bill. Has an advantage in having been a former parliamentary staffer. His last general debate speech was about the effects of national policy statements and national environmental standards on regional NZ.
Member’s Bill in ballot: Lawyers and Conveyancers (Employed Lawyers Providing Free Legal Services) Amendment Bill – it would allow lawyers who are employees to do pro bono legal work other than for their employer, on conditions set by the Law Society.
QUOTE: “The people have spoken, the Government has changed, the policy direction has changed, and this is a Government that has heard the calls of farmers and rural and regional New Zealand…”
OF NOTE: The justice committee he chairs has so far considered or is considering 27 bills this term - 11 have been reported back and 16 are still before the committee.
Rima Nakhle - C
Takanini
Māori affairs committee deputy chairwoman, Justice committee member
A big personality in the class of 2023 and the luckiest in terms of advancing a member’s Bill from the ballot to near completion (see below). Won her seat on her second go. Has a strong focus on law and order and on ethnic communities. Qualified as a lawyer. Previously ran an emergency and transitional housing company. Her last speech in the general debate was about law and order.
QUOTE: “We’ve seen a reduction in victimisations across the board. We’ve seen foot patrols increase by 30% and everything, all of this, is so that our neighbours in Takanini and across New Zealand can feel safe.”
OF NOTE: Was born in Australia to parents who immigrated from Lebanon. Is married to Roger whom she has mentioned in four speeches so far.
Member’s Bill, Corrections (Victim Protection) Amendment Bill, drawn from the ballot in February, aims to protect victims of crime and people under a protection order from unwanted contact from prisoners. Awaiting third reading.
Member’s Bill in ballot: Public Finance (Prohibition on Providing Public Funds to Gangs) Amendment Bill - would ban Government agencies from providing funds directly and indirectly to organisations that are run, administered, or associated with gangs.
Katie Nimon - A
Napier
Education and workforce committee chairwoman, Environment committee member
Has been identified by the party as a high-flier having been given one of the top two speaking slots for new MPs last year and made chairwoman of a select committee. Oozes competence. Has not put a foot wrong and can expect promotion to ministerial post in the future. Her last general debate speech was about schools in her electorate and structured literacy and numeracy.
QUOTE: “While we had structured literacy and structured numeracy available to teach in schools, it was not mandated, it was not funded, and schools had to fund it out of their own operating budget. ”
OF NOTE: A former general manager of a family bus company and former transport manager for Hawke’s Bay Regional Council – at different times.
Member’s Bill in ballot: Oaths and Declarations (Administration of Declaration by Chartered Accountant) Amendment Bill – to allow accountants to administer declarations.
Suze Redmayne - C
Rangitīkei
Officers of Parliament committee member, Primary production committee member
National junior whip
Well-regarded. Thrust into a demanding job at the outset as junior whip because of previous experience as an electorate agent for former MPs Simon Power and Ian McKelvie. Is becoming a House expert but shouldn’t be reading all her speeches as she does. Farms in Turakina with her husband. Last speech in the general debate was about the closure of Winstone Pulp.
QUOTE: “Our businesses, communities, and families, like those we heard from in Raetihi last night, expect and deserve nothing less - nothing less than a long-term solution which ensures and delivers reliable and affordable energy.”
OF NOTE: Lamented in debate on the Parliament Bill that security guards have no more powers than night club bouncers.
Member’s Bill in ballot: KiwiSaver (First Home for Farm Land and Service Tenancy Tenants) Amendment Bill – would allow people to withdraw funds from KiwiSaver to buy farm land.
Tom Rutherford - A
Bay of Plenty
Governance and administration committee member, Transport and infrastructure committee member
He is possibly the biggest surprise of the class of 2023 and is the youngest of them all, aged 27. Is a strong presence in the House and in the wider caucus, running the various caucus committees. Contributes to debates often, although gets his name in Hansard every time he interjects and moves closure motions. Was selected as a candidate only five months before the election, after Todd Muller decided to retire. His last general debate speech was about the member’s Bill he had just put into the ballot. See below.
QUOTE: “I know there’s other communities around the country that want the Zespri AIMS Games in their patch, but I say to them: good luck, it’s not going anywhere; it’s staying in the beautiful Bay.”
OF NOTE: Gets the prize for being the MP who moves more closure motions on debates than any other MP – not exactly a badge of honour.
Member’s Bill in ballot: Concealment of Location of Victim Remains Bill – provides that offenders who refuse to disclose the location of a victim’s body may be denied parole.
Catherine Wedd - B
Tukituki
Finance and expenditure committee deputy chairwoman, Primary production committee member
One of the two highly-regarded women from Hawke’s Bay. With a background in law, journalism and marketing has fitted into her job effortlessly. Brings a laser-like focus to the job. Her last general debate speech was about gangs and crime in Hawke’s Bay.
Had her member’s Bill, Pae Ora (Healthy Futures (Three-day postnatal stay) Amendment Bill, drawn from the ballot in March, and is awaiting a first reading.
QUOTE: “In the recent police meth testing water results at the weekend, we saw Hawke’s Bay overtake Northland as the top spot … This rise in meth and drugs is fuelled by the gangs. That is why this side of the House and our Government is cracking down on the gangs.”
OF NOTE: One of her grandfathers was a National MP, Bill Tolhurst, who held Whanganui in 1969 for a term.
Member’s Bill in ballot: Crimes (Impeding Major Bridges, Tunnels and Roads) Amendment Bill – creates a new offence for damaging or obstructing a major road, tunnel, or bridge.
Dr Vanessa Weenink - C
Banks Peninsula
Economic development, science and innovation committee deputy chairwoman
Reclaimed the seat which National last won in 1996. She comes from an interesting background as a GP and as an Army medical officer with experience in Afghanistan and East Timor. Her last general debate speech centred on community opposition to KiwiRail’s proposed long-term closure of a cycleway in the Heathcote Valley near a rail crossing.
QUOTE: “It shouldn’t come as a surprise to us from an entity that couldn’t figure out how to turn off an automatic pilot and crashed the ferries in the Cook Strait.”
OF NOTE: Previously a member of the Labour Party who once campaigned for Duncan Webb in Christchurch.
Member’s Bill in ballot: Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Shared Leave) Amendment Bill – would allow paid parental leave to be split between spouses or partners and taken at the same time, provided the total leave doesn’t exceed the maximum provided for a single primary carer.
It says the offenders are facing 'public scrutiny'.