Paula Bennett

Paula Lee Bennett (born 9 April 1969) is a New Zealand politician who served as the Deputy Leader of the National Party from 2016 to 2020 and is the current MP for Upper Harbour. She served as the Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand between December 2016 and October 2017.

The Honourable Paula Bennett MP
Bennett in 2018
18th Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand
In office 12 December 2016 – 26 October 2017
Prime Minister	Bill English
Governor-General	Patsy Reddy
Preceded by	Bill English
Succeeded by	Winston Peters
Deputy Leader of the Opposition
In office 26 October 2017 – 22 May 2020
Prime Minister	Jacinda Ardern
Leader	Bill English Simon Bridges
Preceded by	Kelvin Davis
Succeeded by	Nikki Kaye
Deputy Leader of the National Party
In office 12 December 2016 – 22 May 2020
Leader	Bill English Simon Bridges
Preceded by	Bill English
Succeeded by	Nikki Kaye
Minister of State Services
In office 8 October 2014 – 26 October 2017
Prime Minister	John Key Bill English
Preceded by	Jonathan Coleman
Succeeded by	Chris Hipkins
14th Minister for Women
In office 20 December 2016 – 26 October 2017
Prime Minister	Bill English
Preceded by	Louise Upston
Succeeded by	Julie Anne Genter
19th Minister of Tourism
In office 20 December 2016 – 26 October 2017
Prime Minister	Bill English
Preceded by	John Key
Succeeded by	Kelvin Davis
38th Minister of Police
In office 20 December 2016 – 26 October 2017
Prime Minister	Bill English
Preceded by	Judith Collins
Succeeded by	Stuart Nash
5th Minister for Climate Change Issues
In office 14 December 2015 – 26 October 2017
Prime Minister	John Key Bill English
Preceded by	Tim Groser
Succeeded by	James Shaw
Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Upper Harbour
Incumbent
Assumed office 21 September 2014
Preceded by	constituency established
Majority	9,692
Personal details
Born	(1969-04-09) 9 April 1969 Auckland, New Zealand[1]
Nationality	New Zealand
Political party	National Party
Spouse(s)	Alan Philps[2]
Children	1
Alma mater	Massey University (BA)
Occupation	Recruitment consultant

Bennett previously represented the electorate of Waitakere, which was abolished prior to the 2014 general election.[3][4] She held the Cabinet portfolios of State Services, Women, Tourism, Police, and Climate Change Issues before the National Party were replaced in government by a Labour/NZ First coalition in October 2017.

Early life and career

Bennett was born on 9 April 1969 in Auckland, New Zealand, the daughter of Bob Bennett and Lee Bennett. She has Tainui ancestry[5] through her half-Māori paternal grandmother, Ailsa Bennett.[6] Her father had a flooring business in Auckland, then in 1974 bought the village store at Kinloch, near Taupo. Bennett attended Taupo-nui-a-Tia College in Taupo. At 17 she gave birth to a daughter, Ana, and raised her alone while working in hospitality and tourism-industry jobs or, at times, receiving the Domestic Purposes Benefit.[1][7][8]

In 1992 Bennett moved to Auckland,[9] where she worked in a rest home, first as a kitchenhand and then as a nurse aide. She began studying social work at the Albany campus of Massey University in 1994.[7] She became the welfare officer of the Massey University at Albany Students' Association, then, in 1996, the president, which she said gave her a taste for politics. She discontinued the social work component of her course of study, leaving simply social policy,[7] and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts.

After graduating, Bennett worked as an electorate secretary for Murray McCully, National Party member of Parliament for East Coast Bays, until the 1999 general election. She then worked as a recruitment consultant for several years and assisted McCully in the 2002 general election campaign.

Political career

New Zealand Parliament
Years	Term	Electorate	List	Party
2005–2008	48th	List	45	National
2008–2011	49th	Waitakere	41	National
2011–2014	50th	Waitakere	14	National
2014–2017	51st	Upper Harbour	9	National
2017–present	52nd	Upper Harbour	2	National

Fifth Labour Government, 2005–2008

In the 2005 general election Bennett stood as the National Party candidate for the Waitakere seat, with a ranking of 45th on National's party list. She failed to win Waitakere[10], but entered Parliament as a list MP.[11]

While in opposition (2005–2008), Bennett held three roles under National party leader Don Brash: Member of the Social Services Select Committee, Associate Spokesperson on Welfare, and Community and Voluntary Sector Liaison. When John Key became party leader in 2006, Bennett switched to membership of the Education and Science Select Committee and no longer held the Spokesperson and Liaison roles.[12][8]

In the 2008 election, she unseated Waitakere MP Lynne Pillay, winning the seat with a majority of 632.[13] Bennett was appointed to several cabinet roles in the new National-led government.

Fifth National Government, 2008–2017

Bennett as Deputy Prime Minister, with Prime Minister Bill English, 2016

As a member of the Fifth National Government, Bennett was best known for leading social welfare reforms as Minister of Social Development and Employment (2008–2011) and Minister of Social Development (2011–14). During that time she was also Minister of Youth Affairs (2008–2013), Minister for Disability Issues (2008–2009), and Associate Minister of Housing (2013–14).[12]

In the 2011 election, Bennett again stood for the Waitakere seat, and secured an election night majority of 349 votes.[14] After the routine counting of special votes 10 days later, the result had swung towards Labour candidate Carmel Sepuloni. Bennett was subsequently declared the winner after a judicial recount.[15] Carmel Sepuloni was not placed high enough on Labour's list to remain an MP and was ousted from Parliament as a result of her loss.[16]

The 2013–14 electoral boundary review saw Bennett's Waitakere electorate abolished in favour of two new electorates in western Auckland, Kelston and Upper Harbour. At the 2014 election, Bennett stood for the Upper Harbour seat and won with a majority of 9,692 votes.[17]

After the 2014 election, Bennett became Minister of State Services (2014–2017), Minister of Social Housing (2014–2016), Associate Minister of Finance (2014–2016) and Minister of Local Government (2014–2016). She was Associate Minister of Tourism from 2014 to 12 December 2016, Acting Minister between 12 and 20 December 2016, then Minister of Tourism. She was the Minister for Climate Change Issues from 2015. On 20 December 2016 she also became Minister for Women, and Minister of Police.[18][12]

Bennett became Deputy Leader of the National Party and was sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister on 12 December 2016. She also held the State Services, Women, Tourism, Police and Climate Change Issues Cabinet portfolios during the third term of the Fifth National Government.[18]

During the 2017 election, Bennett contested the Upper Harbour seat and was re-elected with a majority of 9,556 votes.[19]

Sixth Labour Government, 2017–present

Following the formation of a Labour-led coalition government in October 2017, Bennett remained Deputy Leader of the National Party. She also became the party's Spokesperson for the "social investment and social services", "tertiary education, skills, and employment", and the women portfolios.[20] After a cabinet reshuffle in January 2019, Bennett was appointed by Bridges as National's Spokesperson for "drug reform." Bennett has argued that the government's drug reform policy needs to consider health, education, and justice.[21][22]

In mid-August 2019, it was announced that Bennett will be vacating her Upper Harbour seat in 2020 and move to the party list. She was also named as National's 2020 election campaign manager.[23][24]

Since 25 March 2020, Bennett has been a member of the Epidemic Response Committee, a select committee that considers the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[25]

Following a Newshub-Reid research poll released on 18 May 2020 which returned a low approval rating for the National Party and its leader Simon Bridges, Bennett as deputy leader was challenged by Auckland Central MP Nikki Kaye. Bridges' leadership of National was contested by Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller.[26] A leadership vote was held during an emergency National Party caucus on 22 May, in which Bridges and Bennett were defeated by Muller and Kaye, who assumed the positions of leader and deputy leaders of the party.[8][27]

Bennett was subsequently ranked at 13 in Muller's Shadow Cabinet, and on 29 June she announced that she would retire from politics at the general election in September.[28] On 2 July, Bennett's former Women and Drug Reform portfolios were assumed by Nikki Kaye and Amy Adams respectively.[29][30]

Controversies

Allegations of inconsistency

Bennett has been criticised by opponents for the inconsistency between her personal history of reliance on government social welfare benefits, including financial support for tertiary study, and a "hardline" approach to benefit policies when she became a minister. In particular, the Training Incentive Allowance (TIA) was abolished under her leadership, after she had received this allowance herself as a student.[31][32]

Another policy change often cited has been the requirement for single parents in receipt of the Domestic Purposes Benefit to look for part-time work when their child turned six. Previously there was no work requirement until the youngest child turned 18 years old. Bennett also introduced a requirement for those on an Unemployment Benefit to reapply after one year.[33][34]

Release of private information about beneficiaries

In July 2009, Bennett deliberately released the benefit details of two beneficiaries, Natasha Fuller and Jennifer Johnston, who had criticised the Government's policy of abolishing the Training Initiative Allowance (TIA).[35] Bennett said she believed she had "implied consent" for the release of the information.[36]

The Privacy Commissioner investigated Bennett's actions after receiving a complaint, and later referred the matter to the Director of Human Rights Proceedings for the Human Rights Commission. On 15 August 2012, the director announced the resolution of the complaint, saying, "On the basis of the Minister’s letter to me, I have agreed to close my file. The matter has been resolved to the satisfaction of all parties."[37][38]

Christine Rankin appointment

In May 2009, Bennett appointed the controversial Christine Rankin as Families Commissioner; her term ended in 2013.[39]

Job numbers claims

In November 2012, a week after unemployment was reported at 7.3 percent – a 13-year high – Bennett read out job listings in Parliament, claiming there were "300 jobs" available at retailer The Warehouse, if anyone wanted them, as well as 40 jobs at retailer Bunnings. The Warehouse refuted this claim, saying it only had 30 jobs available, and Bunnings only had three advertised.[40]

Gun control

In October 2017, prior to the Christchurch mosque shootings, Bennett rejected 12 of 20 recommendations from a select committee inquiry into the illegal possession of firearms.[41] This decision was criticised at the time by New Zealand's Police Association president Chris Cahill who lamented to news website Stuff that "the opportunity was missed and you know what it's going to take to bring it on the table again, and unfortunately that's a tragedy." [42]

Personal life

Bennett married Alan Philps in 2012.[43] Philps keeps a low public profile and was mentioned by Bennett in October 2016.[44][8] Philps did not appear in photographs from Bennett's swearing-in ceremony at Government House, Wellington, on 12 December 2016, but her daughter, granddaughter and stepdaughter did.[43][45] After her announced retirement at the New Zealand 2020 general election, Bennett says she plans to venture into the business world. [46]

In late 2017 Bennett announced she had undergone gastric bypass surgery for weight loss. In November 2018 she stated she had lost 50 kilograms (110 lb) over the previous year.[47][8]

Public image

For several years Bennett appeared on TV One's Breakfast with friend and Labour MP Darren Hughes.[48][49]

In January 2009, Bennett broke up a fight between 30 teenagers at her local shopping mall in Henderson before police arrived, earning praise as a "tough lady." She also arranged community networking to address the underlying issues.[50]

In March 2010, Bennett accepted an Eisenhower Fellowship. The prestigious six week fellowship in the United States was awarded to only 20 women around the world who were identified as outstanding leaders.[51]

References

1. Paula Bennett. "Address in reply". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). 628. New Zealand Parliament. p. 191. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
2. "MP Paula Bennett marries mystery man". Stuff.co.nz. 16 April 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
3. "Paula Bennett to seek Upper Harbour nomination". 3 News NZ. 21 November 2013.
4. "Bennett to contest new seat". Radio NZ. 21 November 2013.
5. Laugesen, Ruth (20 June 2009). "Outrageous Fortune". New Zealand Listener. 219 (3606): 16–20. Archived from the original on 22 May 2010.
6. Collins, Simon (21 November 2008). "Cabinet's new poster girl". New Zealand Herald.
7. Collins, Simon (22 November 2008). "Cabinet's new poster girl". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 22 November 2008.
8. Burrows, Matt (22 May 2020). "Paula Bennett: The loyal National Party servant who just lost her job". Newshub. Archived from the original on 22 May 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
9. "Hon. Paula Bennett – Biography". New Zealand National Party. 2008. Archived from the original on 25 May 2010. Retrieved 22 November 2008.
10. "Official Count Results -- Waitakere". Electoral Commission. 1 October 2015. Archived from the original on 17 January 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
11. "Official Count Results -- Successful Candidates". Electoral Commission. 31 October 2005. Archived from the original on 18 January 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
12. "Hon. Paula Bennett". New Zealand Parliament. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
13. "Election results – Waitakere". New Zealand Ministry of Justice, Chief Electoral Office. Archived from the original on 12 November 2008. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
14. "Waitakere Electorate". Television New Zealand. 2 September 2008. Archived from the original on 24 November 2011.
15. Vance, Andrea; Hartevelt, John (16 December 2011). "Bennett wins back Waitakere". Stuff. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
16. "Sepuloni mulls petition after Bennett regains Waitakere". 1 News. Archived from the original on 10 January 2012.
17. "Official Count Results – Upper Harbour". New Zealand Electoral Commission. 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
18. "Ministerial List". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
19. "Upper Harbour – Official Result". New Zealand Electoral Commission. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
20. "Hon Paula Bennett". New Zealand Parliament. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
21. "Bennett named drug reform spokesperson in shadow cabinet reshuffle". Radio New Zealand. 22 January 2019. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
22. Coughlan, Thomas (22 January 2019). "Bridges begins year with a reshuffle". Newsroom. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
23. Cheng, Derek (14 August 2019). "Paula Bennett to run National's 2020 campaign and vacate Upper Harbour seat". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
24. Whyte, Anna (14 August 2019). "Paula Bennett will run National's 2020 election campaign, not stand for Upper Harbour seat". 1 News Now. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
25. "Epidemic response". New Zealand Parliament. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
26. Cooke, Henry (21 May 2020). "National Party leadership contest: Paula Bennett 'confident' heading into Friday's vote". Stuff. Archived from the original on 21 May 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
27. "Simon Bridges on losing National Party leadership: 'It's been a heck of a ride'". Radio New Zealand. 22 May 2020. Archived from the original on 22 May 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
28. Thomas, Jackson; Cooke, Henry (29 June 2020). "Paula Bennett stepping down from politics at election after National leadership changes". Stuff. Archived from the original on 29 June 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
29. Cooke, Henry (2 July 2020). "National reshuffle: Simon Bridges gets foreign affairs role, but not a high ranking". Stuff. Archived from the original on 2 July 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
30. Cheng, Derek (2 July 2020). "National's Todd Muller's first reshuffle - winners and losers revealed". New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 2 July 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
31. Trevett, Claire (29 July 2009). "Minister accused of breaking privacy law". The New Zealand Herald.
32. "The double-edged sword". Business Day. Fairfax New Zealand. 28 July 2009.
33. "Bennett rejects 'hypocrite' claims". The New Zealand Herald. 28 February 2012. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
34. Kinnealy, Mellissa. "Beneficiaries Face Squeeze". The Dominion Post. Retrieved 22 October 2010.
35. "Privacy issues stir Bennett welfare debate". ONE News/New Zealand Press Association. Television New Zealand. 29 July 2009. Archived from the original on 31 July 2009.
36. Trevett, Claire (28 July 2009). "Bennett: I consulted website before releasing mums' benefits". The New Zealand Herald.
37. "Privacy Commissioner confirms investigation into Paula Bennett". Stuff.co.nz. Fairfax New Zealand. 11 August 2009.
38. "Media statement on Paula Bennett privacy complaint". Scoop.co.nz. Scoop Media. 15 August 2012.
39. "Rankin appointed to Families Commission". TV New Zealand. Archived from the original on 18 May 2009. Retrieved 12 May 2009.
40. "Bennett's job numbers don't add up – Ardern". 3 News NZ. 14 November 2012.
41. "Bennett rejects bulk of firearms advice". Newstalk ZB. 14 June 2019. Archived from the original on 19 July 2019. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
42. "New Zealand's gun control laws scrutinised after Christchurch mosque shootings". ABC News. 17 April 2019. Archived from the original on 16 March 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
43. "Paula Bennett ties knot at Piha". New Zealand Herald. 16 April 2012. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
44. Marwick, Felix; Trevett, Claire. "Bennett to serve as acting PM while Key, English are out of NZ". Newstalk ZB. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
45. "L to R, Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett, Sir David Gascoigne,..." Getty Images.co.nz. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
46. "National MP Paula Bennett calls time on politics, ventures into 'business world'". New Zealand Herald. 29 June 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
47. "Paula Bennett answers the big questions about her 50kg weight loss". Stuff. 26 November 2018. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
48. "On the December 6 programme". TVNZ. 6 December 2017. Archived from the original on 22 May 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
49. "Thursday Sept 27, 2007". TVNZ. 27 September 2007. Archived from the original on 22 May 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
50. Trevitte, Clare (20 January 2009). "'Tough lady' minister breaks up mall fight". New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 20 January 2009.
51. "New Zealand Social Development Minister Paula Bennett to join 2010 Women's Leadership Program". Eisenhower Fellowship. March 2010. Archived from the original on 30 March 2012. Retrieved 9 March 2010.

External links

• Paula Bennett MP official site
• Profile, New Zealand Parliament website

New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by Lynne Pillay	Member of Parliament for Waitakere 2008–2014	Constituency abolished
New constituency	Member of Parliament for Upper Harbour 2014–present	Incumbent
Party political offices
Preceded by Bill English	Deputy Leader of the National Party 2016–2020	Succeeded by Nikki Kaye
Political offices
Preceded by Ruth Dyson	Minister for Disability Issues 2008–2009	Succeeded by Tariana Turia
	Minister of Social Development and Employment 2008–2014	Succeeded by Anne Tolley
Preceded by Nanaia Mahuta	Minister for Youth Affairs 2008–2013	Succeeded by Nikki Kaye
Preceded by Chris Tremain	Minister of Local Government 2014–2016	Succeeded by Anne Tolley
Preceded by Jonathan Coleman	Minister of State Services 2014–2017	Succeeded by Chris Hipkins
Preceded by Tim Groser	Minister for Climate Change Issues 2015–2017	Succeeded by James Shaw
Preceded by Bill English	Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand 2016–2017	Succeeded by Winston Peters
Preceded by Louise Upston	Minister for Women 2016–2017	Succeeded by Julie Anne Genter
Preceded by John Key	Minister of Tourism 2016–2017	Succeeded by Kelvin Davis
Preceded by Judith Collins	Minister of Police 2016–2017	Succeeded by Stuart Nash
Preceded by Kelvin Davis	Deputy Leader of the Opposition 2017–2020	Succeeded by Nikki Kaye