Current parliamentary roles

• Minister of Conservation
• Minister of Housing

Former parliamentary roles

• Chairperson, Select Committee on the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Bill 9 November 1994-19 December 1995
• Associate Minister of Education 16 December 1996-8 December 1997
• Associate Minister of Social Welfare 16 December 1996-26 August 1998
• Minister of Conservation 16 December 1996-10 December 1999
• Associate Minister of Immigration 8 December 1997-26 August 1998
• Minister of Corrections 8 December 1997-31 January 1999
• Associate Minister of Social Services, Work and Income 31 August 1998-31 January 1999
• Associate Minister in Charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations 31 August 1998-31 January 1999
• Minister of Education 31 January 1999-10 December 1999
• Minister Responsible for the Education Review Office 31 January 1999-10 December 1999
• Spokesperson, Education 12 October 2001-2 November 2003
• Deputy Leader 28 October 2003-17 November 2003
• Spokesperson, Local Government 2 November 2003-26 October 2005
• Spokesperson, Outdoor Recreation 9 August 2004-26 October 2005
• Spokesperson, Energy 26 October 2005-1 December 2006
• Member, Local Government and Environment Committee 9 November 2005-3 October 2008
• Minister for ACC 19 November 2008-14 December 2011
• Minister for Climate Change Issues 19 November 2008-21 March 2012
• Minister for the Environment 19 November 2008-21 March 2012
• Minister for Local Government 14 December 2011-21 March 2012
• Member, Commerce Committee 4 April 2012-13 June 2012
• Member, Finance and Expenditure Committee 4 April 2012-13 February 2013
• Member, Local Government and Environment Committee 13 June 2012-13 February 2013

Personal details

Born 24 December 1964, Rangiora

Education/qualifications

• Rangiora High School
• American Field Scholar, Delaware
• BE (Hons) in Civil Engineering, University of Canterbury
• PhD in Civil Engineering, University of Canterbury

Career

• Assistant Engineer, Rangiora County Council 1985-1986
• Councillor, Rangiora District Council 1986-1989
• Director, Smith Construction 1987-1990
• Tutor, University of Canterbury

Community activities

• Founding member, Rangiora Youth Trust
• Former member, Rangiora Community Development Committee

Party activities

• Chairperson, Young Nationals, University of Canterbury 1984-1984
• Vice Chairperson, NZ Young Nationals 1986-1986
• Vice Chairperson, National Executive 1988-1990
• Vice Chairperson, National Party Canterbury-Westland Division 1988-1990
• NZ's youngest MP when elected MP for Tasman Electorate 1990-1990

Leisure activities

Enjoys tramping, kayaking, camping