Todd McClay

Todd Michael McClay (born 22 November 1968) is a New Zealand politician and former ambassador. He is the Member of Parliament for Rotorua. He was previously an ambassador for the Cook Islands and Niue to the European Union.

The Honourable

Todd McClay

MP
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Rotorua
Assumed office
8 December 2008
Preceded bySteve Chadwick
Majority7,418
11th Minister of Trade
In office
14 December 2015 – 26 October 2017
Prime MinisterJohn Key
Bill English
Preceded byTim Groser
Succeeded byDavid Parker (as Minister for Trade and Export Growth)
Minister of State Owned Enterprises
In office
8 October 2014 – 26 October 2017
Prime MinisterJohn Key
Bill English
Preceded byTony Ryall
Succeeded byWinston Peters
3rd Minister of Revenue
In office
10 June 2013 – 14 December 2015
Prime MinisterJohn Key
Preceded byPeter Dunne
Succeeded byMichael Woodhouse
Personal details
Born (1968-11-22) 22 November 1968
Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
NationalityNew Zealand
Political partyNational
Spouse(s)Nadene McClay
RelationsRoger McClay (father)
ResidenceRotorua, New Zealand
OccupationMember of Parliament for Rotorua
Websitehttp://www.toddmcclay.co.nz/

Early life

McClay was born in Rotorua in 1968. The son of former National MP Roger McClay, he was educated at Tauhara College in Taupo, Wesley College in Auckland and Wellington Polytechnic in Wellington. He gained a bachelor's degree in Politics.

European Union diplomatic career

McClay worked in the European Parliament as Head of Staff to Lord Plumb, President of the European Parliament and Leader of the British Conservatives in the European Parliament. He has also been active in European government affairs and lobbying, and was a founder and CEO of a company, Political Relationship Management. McClay has been active in Pacific Islands, European and New Zealand diplomacy and politics since 1992, and was the Cook Islands' first accredited diplomat outside of the Pacific region. He remains the youngest-ever appointed Head of Mission to the European Union.

In 2000 the Cook Islands joined the Cotonou Agreement between the EU and African, Caribbean and Pacific states (ACP) and he was appointed as special representative of the Cook Islands.[1] In 2002 the Cook Islands government upgraded its representation to the level of diplomatic mission, at which time McClay was appointed Ambassador to the EU.[2][3] He has represented the Cook Islands at many international meetings and conferences, including the WTO, FAO, ACP, EU and UN.[4]

Member of Parliament
New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate List Party
2008–2011 49th Rotorua 54 National
2011–2014 50th Rotorua 47 National
2014–2017 51st Rotorua 23 National
2017–present 52nd Rotorua 14 National

In 2008, McClay was selected as the National Party candidate to stand for the Rotorua electorate in the 2008 New Zealand general election, running against incumbent Labour MP Steve Chadwick.[5] McClay won the seat of Rotorua on election night with a majority of 5,065 (15.43%). He was sworn in as a Member of Parliament on 8 December 2008.

In 2009 his Shop Trading Hours Act 1990 Repeal (Easter Sunday Local Choice) Amendment Bill was drawn from the ballot.[6] The bill would have allowed local authorities to permit shops to open on Easter Sunday - something currently prohibited in most of New Zealand. The bill was narrowly defeated at its first reading.[7]

In 2011 McClay announced his intention to bring a bill before Parliament to prohibit the display of gang insignia in all government premises, schools and hospitals in New Zealand. Modeled on the Whanganui Gang Insignia Act, McClay's announcement was met with strong public support.[8][9] The Bill received Royal Assent on 12 August 2013 and became law the day after.[10]

In 2011, McClay was reelected as the Member of Parliament for Rotorua increasing his majority to 7,357 votes.

McClay voted against the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill, a bill allowing same-sex couples to marry in New Zealand.[11]

In September 2014, McClay was again elected as Member of Parliament for Rotorua with an increased majority of 7,418, after beating Labour Candidate and former TV weatherman, Tamati Coffey.

In 2017, McClay represented his party in Beijing before a dialogue organised by the International Liaison Department of the Communist Party of China. McClay also referred to the Xinjiang re-education camps as "vocational training centers" in line with Communist Party of China talking points.[12][13]

He lives in Rotorua with his wife, Nadene, and their four children.

Appointment as Minister

In 2013 he was appointed Minister of Revenue and Associate Minister of Health, serving outside of Cabinet.[14]

In 2014 he was appointed Associate Minister for Tourism.[15]

Following the 2014 election, McClay was promoted to Cabinet retaining his position as Minister of Revenue, while picking up the portfolios of State Owned Enterprises, Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs and Associate Minister of Trade.[16]

Following the resignation of former Trade Minister Tim Groser, McClay became Minister of Trade on 14 December 2015. He retained State Owned Enterprises and Associate Foreign Affairs, while handing over Inland Revenue to Michael Woodhouse.

References
  1. Archived 27 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  2. "Cook Islands Government Structure". Ck/govt2.htm. 19 May 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
  3. "Ec av Portal". Archived from the original on 19 May 2011. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  5. Taipari, Greg (20 March 2008). "National chooses Rotorua candidate". Rotorua Daily Post. Retrieved 12 November 2008.
  6. "Shop Trading Hours Act 1990 Repeal (Easter Sunday Local Choice) Amendment Bill". New Zealand Parliament. Retrieved 10 December 2009.
  7. "Easter trading bill defeated on conscience vote". Stuff. 9 December 2009. Retrieved 10 December 2009.
  8. "Todd McClay seeks to ban gang patches - Rotorua Daily Post - Rotorua Daily Post News". NZ Herald. Nzherald.co.nz. 28 June 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
  9. Gillespie, Kim (16 May 2013). "Editorial: Gang bill likely to reduce influence - Opinion - Rotorua Daily Post News". NZ Herald. Nzherald.co.nz. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
  10. "Prohibition of Gang Insignia in Government Premises Act 2013 No 56, Public Act Contents – New Zealand Legislation". Legislation.govt.nz. 12 August 2013. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
  11. "Rotorua MP votes against gay marriage bill". Rotorua Daily Post. 30 August 2012. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  12. Cook, Sarah (14 January 2020). "Beijing's Global Megaphone: The Expansion of Chinese Communist Party Media Influence since 2017". Freedom House. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  13. Lulu, Jichang (16 November 2018). "New Zealand: United Frontlings bearing gifts". Sinopsis. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  14. "Dunne's portfolios handed to MP McClay". Stuff. 10 June 2013. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  15. "New ministerial role for Rotorua MP Todd McClay". NZ Herald. NZHerald. 21 January 2014. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  16. "Todd McClay promoted to cabinet minister - Rotorua Daily Post - Rotorua Daily Post News". NZ Herald. Nzherald.co.nz. 5 October 2014. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by
Steve Chadwick		 Member of Parliament for Rotorua
2008–present		 Incumbent
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