Stuart Smith | |
|---|---|
.png) Smith in 2023 | |
| Chief Government Whip in theNew Zealand House of Representatives | |
| Assumed office 4 March 2025 | |
| Prime Minister | Christopher Luxon |
| Preceded by | Scott Simpson |
| Member of theNew Zealand Parliament for Kaikōura | |
| Assumed office 20 September 2014 | |
| Preceded by | Colin King |
| Majority | 12,570 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Stuart Tayler Smith 1963 (age 61–62) |
| Political party | National |
| Spouse | Julie Smith |
| Website | stuartsmith.co.nz |
Stuart Tayler Smith (born 1963)[1] is aNew Zealand National Party politician. He was first elected as a Member of theNew Zealand House of Representatives for theKaikōura electorate, representing theNational Party, in the2014 general election. As of 2025, he isSenior 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.
Smith was born on aSouth Canterbury farm nearMethven. 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'sMarlborough 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 theNew Zealand wine industry.[4] Smith opposed measures proposed to support the industry, such as its consolidation into cooperative models similar toFonterra andZespri, stating that more formal cooperation would not improve strained relationships between grape growers and winemakers.[5]
It was reported during Smith's tenure as chair of the Winegrowers Association that he was considering running for Parliament in theKaikōura electorate.[6] In 2013, Smith challenged incumbent MPColin King for National's nomination to contest the electorate. He won the nomination and, in the 2014 general election, was elected with a majority of 12,570 votes.[7] Smith has held the Kaikōura seat ever since, returning to Parliament in each of the 2017,[8] 2020,[9] and 2023[10][11] elections.
| 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 | |
In his first term, the last of theFifth National Government, Smith was the deputy chair of the primary production committee (from 2014 to 2017) and the social services committee (in 2017). From 2017 to 2023, the National Party was the official opposition. Smith held party spokesperson roles in the civil defence,Earthquake Commission, immigration, viticulture, climate change, and energy and resources portfolios.[12]
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.[13] 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.[14] In 2023, the Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Cellar Door Tasting) Amendment Bill was introduced. This bill proposed regulatory reforms related tocellar door operations at wineries and was passed at its first reading in a 105–9 vote.[15]
In the54th New Zealand Parliament, Smith chaired thefinance and expenditure committee from December 2023 to February 2025.[12][16] In March 2025 he becameSenior Whip of the National Party and Chief Government Whip.[12]
Smith voted in favour ofdecriminalising abortion andlegalising euthanasia.[17][18]
Smith is married to Julie, a former occupational therapist. They have three children.[2]
| New Zealand Parliament | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of Parliament for Kaikōura 2014–present | Incumbent |
