The Honourable
Simon Watts
MP
Watts in 2023
33rd Minister of Revenue
Assumed office
27 November 2023
Prime MinisterChristopher Luxon
Preceded byBarbara Edmonds
7th Minister of Climate Change
Assumed office
27 November 2023
Prime MinisterChristopher Luxon
Preceded byJames Shaw
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for North Shore
Assumed office
17 October 2020
Preceded byMaggie Barry
Personal details
Political partyNational
Children2
ProfessionAccountant
Websitesimonwatts.national.org.nz

Simon Glen Watts[1] is a New Zealand politician. As of 2020 he is an elected Member of Parliament in the House of Representatives for the National Party.[2]

Early life and career

Watts was born in Cambridge, Waikato, where his family were orchardists. He has two younger brothers.[3]

Watts has bachelor's degrees in management, accounting and finance, and health science. He has worked in both the private and public sector roles in New Zealand, Asia and the United Kingdom. During the Global Financial Crisis he was working for the Royal Bank of Scotland in London in various management roles. He is a chartered accountant and was later deputy chief financial officer at the Waitematā District Health Board.[4] He also has a Bachelor of Paramedicine from the Auckland University of Technology, and at one point worked as a front-line ambulance officer for St John.[5][3]

Political career

New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate List Party
2020–2023 53rd North Shore 65 National
2023–present 54th North Shore 17 National

In 2018 Watts attempted to gain the National nomination in the Northcote by-election to replace former Cabinet Minister Jonathan Coleman, but lost to Dan Bidois.[6]

Watts was selected as the National candidate for the North Shore electorate in March 2020, ahead of four other nominees including former Devonport-Takapuna Local Board member Joe Bergin and Kaipātiki Local Board member Danielle Grant.[4] Watts stated his objectives in politics are giving more government support to the health sector and building more roads and new infrastructure.[5] He is also concerned about improving wastewater networks to improve water quality at beaches.[3]

During the 2020 New Zealand general election, he was elected to the North Shore seat by a margin of 3,734 votes, defeating Labour's candidate Romy Udanga.[7][8]

During the 2023 New Zealand general election, Watts retained North Shore by a margin of 16,330 votes, defeating Labour's candidate George Hampton.[9] Following the election, Watts was appointed as Minister for Climate Change and Minister for Revenue in the National-led coalition government.[10]

Personal life

Watts is married with two sons. His wife works in marketing.[4][3]

References

  1. ↑ https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/document/HansS_20201125_039660000/event
  2. ↑ The New Zealand Herald. "Election 2020: The 40 diverse new MPs entering Parliament". Newstalk ZB. Archived from the original on 22 October 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "A chat with Simon Watts". Channel Magazine. Archived from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  4. 1 2 3 "National selects North Shore candidate". Rangitoto Observer. 18 March 2020. Archived from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  5. 1 2 Bhatia, Ripu (30 September 2020). "North Shore candidates for local MP". Stuff. Archived from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  6. ↑ "Green turned National Vernon Tava knocked out of candidate selection for Northcote". Stuff. 10 April 2018. Archived from the original on 14 July 2018. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  7. ↑ "North Shore - Official Result". Electoral Commission. 6 November 2020. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  8. ↑ Manch, Thomas (19 October 2020). "New National MPs face 'bittersweet' welcome to Parliament". Stuff. Archived from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  9. ↑ "North Shore - Official Result". Electoral Commission. 3 November 2023. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  10. ↑ Palmer, Russell (24 November 2023). "Cabinet lineup for new government unveiled - who gets what?". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 4 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
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