Stuart Smith (politician)

Stuart Smith
MP
Smith in 2023
Chief Government Whip in the New Zealand House of Representatives
Incumbent
Assumed office
4 March 2025
Prime MinisterChristopher Luxon
Preceded byScott Simpson
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Kaikōura
Incumbent
Assumed office
20 September 2014
Preceded byColin King
Majority12,570
Personal details
BornStuart Tayler Smith
1963 (age 62–63)
PartyNational
SpouseJulie Smith
Websitestuartsmith.co.nz

Stuart Tayler Smith (born 1963)[1] is a New Zealand National Party politician. He was first elected as a Member of the New Zealand House of Representatives for the Kaikōura electorate, representing the National Party, in the 2014 general election. As of 2025, he is Senior Whip of the National Party and Chief Government Whip.

Before his political career, he was a Marlborough grape grower and chairman of the New Zealand Winegrowers Association.

Early life and career

Smith was born on a South Canterbury farm near Methven. His father was a shearer and later owned his own farm. Smith began his career working on the family farm and purchased a half-share in his wife's family's Marlborough vineyard in 1994. Later, they began making and selling their own wine.[2] Their winery, Fairhall Downes Estate, was sold in 2015.[3]

Smith was on the board of the New Zealand Winegrowers Association, including for six years as chair from 2006 until 2012.[2] Smith's time as chair coincided with a downturn in the New Zealand wine industry.[4] Smith opposed measures proposed to support the industry, such as its consolidation into cooperative models similar to Fonterra and Zespri, stating that more formal cooperation would not improve strained relationships between grape growers and winemakers.[5]

Political career

New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate List Party
2014–2017 51st Kaikōura 62 National
2017–2020 52nd Kaikōura 47 National
2020–2023 53rd Kaikōura 32 National
2023–present 54th Kaikōura 56 National

National candidacy and first term, 2014–2027

It was reported during Smith's tenure as chair of the Winegrowers Association that he was considering running for Parliament in the Kaikōura electorate.[6] In 2013, Smith successfully challenged incumbent MP Colin King for National's nomination to contest the electorate. During the 2014 New Zealand general election, he was elected with a majority of 12,570 votes.[7]

During his first term, the last of the Fifth National Government, Smith was the deputy chair of the primary production committee (from 2014 to 2017) and the social services committee (in 2017).[8]

In opposition, 2017–2023

Smith retained the Kaikōura seat for the National Party during the 2017 and 2020 New Zealand general elections.[9][10] Between 2017 to 2023, the National Party served as the official parliamentary opposition. Smith held party spokesperson roles in the civil defence, Earthquake Commission, immigration, viticulture, climate change, and energy and resources portfolios.[8]

Two members bills promoted by Smith were debated in Parliament in 2020 and 2023. Smith's Insurance (Prompt Settlement of Claims for Uninhabitable Residential Property) Bill proposed imposing a six-month time limit for insurers to make decisions and notify claimants on claims relating to earthquake damaged buildings.[11] The bill, first lodged in 2018, was progressed to select committee consideration in July 2020 but Smith later withdrew it after the committee found the government was already undertaking work to address the issue.[12] In 2023, the Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Cellar Door Tasting) Amendment Bill was introduced. This bill proposed regulatory reforms related to cellar door operations at wineries and was passed at its first reading in a 105–9 vote.[13]

Fourth term, 2023–present

During the 2023 New Zealand general election, Smith retained Kaikōura for a fourth term.[14][15] elections. During the 54th New Zealand Parliament, Smith chaired the finance and expenditure committee from December 2023 to February 2025.[8][16] In March 2025 he became Senior Whip of the National Party and Chief Government Whip.[8]

In April 2026, it was reported by Radio New Zealand, The Spinoff and The New Zealand Herald that Smith had been "ghosted" by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. As Senior Whip, Smith reportedly attempted to alert Luxon to "flagging caucus support" during a parliamentary sitting week, but the Prime Minister allegedly remained unreachable, forcing Smith to relay the warning to Deputy Leader Nicola Willis instead.[17][18][19] Critics described this as a deliberate attempt to avoid a formal notification that could trigger a leadership challenge. At a press conference in Pōkeno on 17 April 2026, Luxon denied the reports, stating he had not been approached by Smith regarding his leadership and that he remained confident in his position.[20]

Political views

Smith voted in favour of decriminalising abortion and legalising euthanasia.[21][22]

Personal life

Smith is married to Julie, a former occupational therapist. They have three children.[2]

References

  1. ↑ "Roll of members of the New Zealand House of Representatives, 1854 onwards" (PDF). New Zealand Parliament. 24 May 2019. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 "Smith, Stuart: Address in Reply - New Zealand Parliament". www.parliament.nz. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  3. ↑ Winter, Chloe (11 January 2015). "MP sells interest in vineyard estate". Stuff. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  4. ↑ Harris, Catherine (20 December 2010). "Hangover time as wine bubble bursts". The Press. p. A13.
  5. ↑ Heather, Ben (28 August 2010). "Sour grapes: wine industry's bitter harvest". The Press. p. C22.
  6. ↑ "Right time to go says wine boss". Marlborough Express. 14 August 2012. p. 3.
  7. ↑ "Kaikōura: electoral profile". New Zealand Parliament. 18 April 2016. Archived from the original on 23 October 2020. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Smith, Stuart – New Zealand Parliament". Parliament.nz. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
  9. ↑ "Kaikōura – Official Result". Electoral Commission. Archived from the original on 17 January 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  10. ↑ "Kaikōura – Official Result". Electoral Commission. 6 November 2020. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  11. ↑ Zaki, Anan (22 January 2018). "Kaikōura MP proposes bill to speed up quake claims". Stuff. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  12. ↑ Llewellyn, Ian. "Uninhabitable home insurance law change dropped". businessdesk.co.nz. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  13. ↑ "Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Cellar Door Tasting) Amendment Bill — First Reading - New Zealand Parliament". www.parliament.nz. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  14. ↑ "Kaikōura - Official Result". Electoral Commission. 3 November 2023. Archived from the original on 23 November 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  15. ↑ Hart, Maia (14 October 2023). "Stuart Smith to represent Kaikōura electorate for a fourth term". Stuff. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  16. ↑ Hart, Maia (7 December 2023). "Councillor Jamie Arbuckle surprised to land deputy chair role on select committee". Stuff. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  17. ↑ McCulloch, Craig (17 April 2026). "Christopher Luxon adamant he'll remain National leader amid speculation". RNZ. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  18. ↑ Manhire, Toby (17 April 2026). "The 100-hour gauntlet that could decide whether Luxon survives as PM". The Spinoff. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  19. ↑ Coughlan, Thomas (17 April 2026). "Bishop admits 'everyone wants us to do better' but denies PM coup plot". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  20. ↑ McCulloch, Craig (17 April 2026). "Christopher Luxon adamant he'll remain National leader amid speculation". RNZ. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  21. ↑ "End of Life Choice Bill — Third Reading". New Zealand Parliament. 13 November 2019. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  22. ↑ "Abortion Legislation Bill — Third Reading". New Zealand Parliament. 18 March 2020. Archived from the original on 20 July 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
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