Jump to content

Simon Power (politician): Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m spelling (WP:Typo Team)
Citation bot (talk | contribs)
Bots
5,421,711 edits
Altered title. | Use this bot. Report bugs. | Suggested by Abductive | Category:Victoria University of Wellington alumni | #UCB_Category 753/902
 
(27 intermediate revisions by 20 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|New Zealand politician}}
{{short description|New Zealand politician}}
{{other people}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=August 2014}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
Line 37: Line 36:
|term_end5 = December 2011
|term_end5 = December 2011
|parliament5 = New Zealand
|parliament5 = New Zealand
|predecessor5 = [[Denis Marshall]]
|predecessor5 = [[Denis Marshall (politician)|Denis Marshall]]
|successor5 = [[Ian McKelvie]]
|successor5 = [[Ian McKelvie]]
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1969|12|5}}
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1969|12|5}}
Line 48: Line 47:
|profession = Lawyer
|profession = Lawyer
}}
}}
'''Simon James Power''' {{post-nominals|country=NZL|QSO}} (born 5 December 1969) is a New Zealand chief executive and former politician.
'''Simon James Power''' {{post-nominals|country=NZL|QSO}} (born 5 December 1969) is a former New Zealand [[New Zealand National Party|National Party]] politician and who served as a [[Cabinet of New Zealand|Cabinet Minister]] for the [[49th New Zealand Parliament|first parliamentary term]] of the [[Fifth National Government of New Zealand]] and as Member of Parliament for [[Rangitīkei (New Zealand electorate)|Rangitīkei]]. Power held the roles of [[Minister of Justice (New Zealand)|Minister of Justice]], [[Minister for State Owned Enterprises]], [[Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs]] and Deputy Leader of the House.


Power was elected to the [[New Zealand House of Representatives]] in 1999 as the Member of Parliament for [[Rangitīkei (New Zealand electorate)|Rangitīkei]]. A member of the [[New Zealand National Party|National Party]], he served as [[Minister of Justice (New Zealand)|Minister of Justice]], [[Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs]], and [[Minister for State Owned Enterprises]] in the first term of the [[Fifth National Government of New Zealand|Fifth National Government]] from 2008 until 2011. His retirement from politics was considered a surprise.<ref name="m092">{{cite web |date=1 March 2011 |title=Simon Power leaving parliament |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/simon-power-leaving-parliament/25XDBI44UY25N5OLJVHNSYEJWQ/ |access-date=25 September 2024 |website=NZ Herald}}</ref>
He is currently an Interim [[CEO]] at [[Westpac]] and the chairman of the [[King's College, Auckland|King's College]] Board of Governors.

After leaving Parliament, Power worked for ten years at [[Westpac]], including as acting chief executive. He was chief executive of [[TVNZ]] from 2022 to 2023, during the period when it was floated that the state-owned television network merge with [[Radio New Zealand]]. Since 2024 he has been chief executive of investment firm Fisher Funds.<ref name="g986">{{cite web |last=Reidy |first=Madison |date=13 November 2023 |title=Second biggest KiwiSaver firm nabs ex-TVNZ boss |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/second-biggest-kiwisaver-firm-nabs-ex-tvnz-boss-simon-power/LTVICUHZ5FBD7PMJ2TWHTKRRBI/ |access-date=25 September 2024 |website=NZ Herald}}</ref>


==Early years==
==Early years==
Power was educated in [[Palmerston North]], attending [[St Peter's College, Palmerston North|St Peter's College]] from 1981-1987.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hon Simon Power |url=https://www.parliament.nz/mi/mps-and-electorates/former-members-of-parliament/power-simon/ |website=New Zealand Parliament |publisher=Parliamentary Services |access-date=4 April 2023}}</ref> While at St Peter's, he captained two senior sports teams and chaired the School Council.<ref>{{cite news |title=Power of the people |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/lifestyle/1387300/Power-of-the-people |access-date=4 April 2023 |work=Manawatu Standard |date=1 September 2009}}</ref> He later studied at [[Victoria University of Wellington]], gaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in [[political science]] in 1992 and then a [[Bachelor of Laws]] degree in 1993.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hon Simon Power |url=https://www.parliament.nz/mi/mps-and-electorates/former-members-of-parliament/power-simon/ |website=New Zealand Parliament |publisher=Parliamentary Services |access-date=4 April 2023}}</ref> He served as president of the Victoria University Law Students' Society for two years.<ref>{{cite news |title=Power of the people |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/lifestyle/1387300/Power-of-the-people |access-date=4 April 2023 |work=Manawatu Standard |date=1 September 2009}}</ref>
{{BLP unsourced section|date=September 2011}}
Power was educated in [[Palmerston North]], attending [[St Peter's College, Palmerston North|St Peter's College]]. He was prominent in the life of St Peter's, captaining two senior sports teams and chairing the School Council. He later studied at [[Victoria University of Wellington]], gaining first a Bachelor of Arts degree in [[political science]] and then a [[Bachelor of Laws]] degree. For two years, he was president of the Victoria University Law Students' Society. He completed his university study in 1993.


After leaving university, Power worked as a lawyer in Palmerston North. For a brief period, he also worked in [[Auckland]]. In 1998, he decided to enter national politics. Having been a member of the National Party since the year he left university, he secured the party's nomination for [[Rangitīkei (New Zealand electorate)|Rangitikei]], a predominantly rural area just outside Palmerston North. The incumbent, National MP [[Denis Marshall]], retired from Parliament in 1999.
After leaving university, Power worked as a lawyer for Fitzherbert Rowe in [[Palmerston North]], and for a brief period for Kensington Swan in [[Auckland]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Hon Simon Power |url=https://www.parliament.nz/mi/mps-and-electorates/former-members-of-parliament/power-simon/ |website=New Zealand Parliament |publisher=Parliamentary Services |access-date=4 April 2023}}</ref> In 1998, he decided to enter national politics. Having been a member of the National Party since the year he left university,<ref>{{cite news |title=Power of the people |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/lifestyle/1387300/Power-of-the-people |access-date=4 April 2023 |work=Manawatu Standard |date=1 September 2009}}</ref> he secured the party's nomination for [[Rangitīkei (New Zealand electorate)|Rangitikei]], a predominantly rural area just outside Palmerston North. The incumbent, National MP [[Denis Marshall (politician)|Denis Marshall]], retired from Parliament in 1999.


==Member of Parliament==
==Member of Parliament==
Line 93: Line 93:
}}
}}
{{NZ parlbox footer}}
{{NZ parlbox footer}}
In the [[1999 New Zealand general election|1999 election]], Power won [[Rangitīkei (New Zealand electorate)|Rangitikei]]. He defeated his opponent, the [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour Party]]'s Craig Walsham, by slightly under three hundred votes. Once in parliament, Power became his party's spokesman on Labour, Industrial Relations, and Youth Affairs. After he retained his seat in the [[2002 New Zealand general election|2002 election]], these roles were swapped for Justice, Tertiary Education, and Workplace Skills. In 2003, when [[Don Brash]] became leader of the National Party, Power's responsibilities were once again reshuffled, giving him the portfolios of Defence, Veterans' Affairs, and Youth Affairs.
In the [[1999 New Zealand general election|1999 election]], Power won [[Rangitīkei (New Zealand electorate)|Rangitikei]]. He defeated his opponent, the [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour Party]]'s Craig Walsham, by slightly under three hundred votes.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Laxon |first1=Andrew |title=Poll count farce as papers go missing |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/poll-count-farce-as-papers-go-missing/3LYBD3FTIKTL3DNFDZ2SYYXZZY/ |access-date=4 April 2023 |work=New Zealand Herald |date=30 June 2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Maslin |first1=John |title=Simon Power: Goodbye Politics |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/lifestyle/simon-power-goodbye-politics/BMEN2VWWENK4A6ORPY2GQBGSKM/ |access-date=4 April 2023 |work=Whanganui Chronicle |date=10 October 2011}}</ref> Once in parliament, Power became his party's spokesman on Labour, Industrial Relations, and Youth Affairs. After he retained his seat in the [[2002 New Zealand general election|2002 election]], these roles were swapped for Justice, Tertiary Education, and Workplace Skills. In 2003, when [[Don Brash]] became leader of the National Party, Power's responsibilities were once again reshuffled, giving him the portfolios of Defence, Veterans' Affairs, and Youth Affairs.


In May 2004, Power caused controversy for his statement that (as regards defence and foreign affairs) "where Britain, the United States and Australia go, we go". Power later expressed regret for how the statement was interpreted, and party leader Don Brash said that it did not reflect National Party policy. In August of the same year, Power was moved from the defence position to that of [[whip (politics)|chief whip]].<ref name="parliament">{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/MPP/MPs/MPs/7/c/6/48MP30621-Power-Simon.htm|title=New Zealand Parliament – Simon Power|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080130151146/http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/MPP/MPs/MPs/7/c/6/48MP30621-Power-Simon.htm|archivedate=30 January 2008 }}</ref>
In May 2004, Power caused controversy for his statement that (as regards defence and foreign affairs) "where Britain, the United States and Australia go, we go".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Watkins |first1=Tracy |title=Key eyes war with caution |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/10719537/Key-eyes-war-with-caution |access-date=4 April 2023 |work=Dominion Post |publisher=Stuff.co.nz |date=9 November 2014}}</ref> Power later expressed regret for how the statement was interpreted, and party leader Don Brash said that it did not reflect National Party policy. In August of the same year, Power was moved from the defence position to that of [[whip (politics)|chief whip]].<ref name="parliament">{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/MPP/MPs/MPs/7/c/6/48MP30621-Power-Simon.htm|title=New Zealand Parliament – Simon Power|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080130151146/http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/MPP/MPs/MPs/7/c/6/48MP30621-Power-Simon.htm|archivedate=30 January 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Young |first1=Audrey |title=Reshuffle demotes Brash's star MP |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/reshuffle-demotes-brashs-star-mp/LCHJOD3L6B4UF4TSXJBKCDMFP4/ |access-date=4 April 2023 |work=New Zealand Herald |date=10 August 2004}}</ref>


Between 2005 and 2008, Power was Opposition Spokesperson on Law and Order<ref name="parliament" /> and repeatedly called for an inquiry into the management of the Corrections Department.<ref>[http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0601/S00088.htm Power calls for inquiry into Corrections], Press Release, 23 January 2006,
Between 2005 and 2008, Power was Opposition Spokesperson on Law and Order<ref name="parliament" /> and repeatedly called for an inquiry into the management of the Corrections Department.<ref>[http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0601/S00088.htm Power calls for inquiry into Corrections], Press Release, 23 January 2006,
</ref><ref>[http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00079.htm Need for Corrections inquiry now undeniable], Press release 6 March 2006</ref> A few months before the election in 2008, Parliament's Law & Order Select Committee agreed to hold a wide-ranging inquiry.<ref>[http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0804/S00408.htm Corrections inquiry long overdue], Press release 16 April 2008</ref> When National won the election in 2008, Power was appointed Minister of Justice.
</ref><ref>[http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00079.htm Need for Corrections inquiry now undeniable], Press release 6 March 2006</ref> A few months before the election in 2008, Parliament's Law & Order Select Committee agreed to hold a wide-ranging inquiry.<ref>[http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0804/S00408.htm Corrections inquiry long overdue], Press release 16 April 2008</ref> When National won the election in 2008, Power was appointed [[Minister of Justice (New Zealand)|Minister of Justice]]. He also served as [[Minister of Justice (New Zealand)|Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs]], [[Minister for State Owned Enterprises]], and Deputy Leader of the House.

Power was picked as the 2010 politician of the year by the ''Trans Tasman'' political newsletter.<ref name="p268">{{cite web |date=29 November 2010 |title=Simon Power named politician of the year |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/politics/simon-power-named-politician-year |access-date=25 September 2024 |website=Otago Daily Times Online News}}</ref>


==Life after Parliament==
==Life after Parliament==
On 2 March 2011 Power announced he would step down at the end of the term in late 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/4721936/Justice-Minister-Simon-Power-to-retire |title=Justice Minister Simon Power to retire|author=Martin Kay|publisher=[[Stuff.co.nz]]|date=2 March 2011|accessdate=2 March 2011}}</ref> In April 2011, Power's ministerial portfolio for State-Owned Enterprises was transferred to [[Tony Ryall]] in preparation for Power's transition into business; he wanted to avoid potential conflicts of interest.<ref name="SOE portfolio">{{cite news|title=Simon Power ditches SOE portfolio |url= http://tvnz.co.nz/politics-news/simon-power-ditches-soe-portfolio-4119793 |accessdate=2 March 2012|work=TVNZ|date=13 April 2011}}</ref>
On 2 March 2011 Power announced he would step down at the end of the term in late 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/4721936/Justice-Minister-Simon-Power-to-retire |title=Justice Minister Simon Power to retire|author=Martin Kay|publisher=[[Stuff.co.nz]]|date=2 March 2011|accessdate=2 March 2011}}</ref> In April 2011, Power's ministerial portfolio for State-Owned Enterprises was transferred to [[Tony Ryall]] in preparation for Power's transition into business; he wanted to avoid potential conflicts of interest.<ref name="SOE portfolio">{{cite news|title=Simon Power ditches SOE portfolio |url= http://tvnz.co.nz/politics-news/simon-power-ditches-soe-portfolio-4119793 |accessdate=2 March 2012|work=TVNZ|date=13 April 2011}}</ref>


In December 2011 Power was granted the right to retain the title of [[The Honourable#New&nbsp;Zealand|The Honourable]]<ref>"[http://www.dia.govt.nz/MSOS118/On-Line/NZGazette.nsf/6cee7698a9bbc7cfcc256d510059ed0b/33d0bbbd1645dd94cc25796e00557620!OpenDocument Retention of the Title ‘The Honourable’"] (15 December 2011) 200 ''[[New Zealand Gazette]]'' 5729.</ref> in recognition of his term as a Member of the [[Executive Council of New Zealand]] and became The&nbsp;Hon. Simon Power. In January 2012 he became the head of the bank [[Westpac]]'s Private Bank.<ref name="NZ_Herald_10758292">{{cite news |url= http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10758292 |title=Simon Power going to Westpac Bank |date=11 October 2011 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |accessdate=11 October 2011}}</ref> In the [[2012 Birthday Honours#Queen's Service Order (QSO)|2012 Queen's Birthday Honours]] Power was appointed a [[Companion of the Queen's Service Order]] (QSO) for services as a Member of Parliament.<ref name=NZLG>[http://www.dia.govt.nz/MSOS118/On-Line/NZGazette.nsf/6cee7698a9bbc7cfcc256d510059ed0b/6636240d6d6d8c2ecc257a2e005ab7ec!OpenDocument The Queen's Birthday and Diamond Jubilee Honours 2012] (29 June 2012) 74 ''[[New Zealand Gazette]]'' 2091.</ref>
In December 2011 Power was granted the right to retain the title of [[The Honourable#New&nbsp;Zealand|The Honourable]]<ref>"[http://www.dia.govt.nz/MSOS118/On-Line/NZGazette.nsf/6cee7698a9bbc7cfcc256d510059ed0b/33d0bbbd1645dd94cc25796e00557620!OpenDocument Retention of the Title ‘The Honourable’"] (15 December 2011) 200 ''[[New Zealand Gazette]]'' 5729.</ref> in recognition of his term as a Member of the [[Executive Council of New Zealand]] and became The&nbsp;Hon. Simon Power. In January 2012 he became the head of the bank [[Westpac New Zealand]]'s Private Bank.<ref name="NZ_Herald_10758292">{{cite news |url= http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10758292 |title=Simon Power going to Westpac Bank |date=11 October 2011 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |accessdate=11 October 2011}}</ref> In the [[2012 Birthday Honours#Queen's Service Order (QSO)|2012 Queen's Birthday Honours]] Power was appointed a [[Companion of the Queen's Service Order]] (QSO) for services as a Member of Parliament.<ref name=NZLG>[http://www.dia.govt.nz/MSOS118/On-Line/NZGazette.nsf/6cee7698a9bbc7cfcc256d510059ed0b/6636240d6d6d8c2ecc257a2e005ab7ec!OpenDocument The Queen's Birthday and Diamond Jubilee Honours 2012] (29 June 2012) 74 ''[[New Zealand Gazette]]'' 2091.</ref>

Power served as the chairman of the [[King's College, Auckland|King's College]] Board of Governors, during which time he had to deal with accusations of bullying at the school due to the scandal regarding National Party MP [[Sam Uffindell]]'s time at the school.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Maher |first1=Rachel |date=10 October 2022 |title=King's College invites ex-students back to talk about bullying after Uffindell scandal |work=New Zealand Herald |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/kings-college-invites-ex-students-back-to-talk-about-bullying-after-uffindell-scandal/36663VC36YCKHBWF4DAAQJNZJI/ |access-date=4 April 2023}}</ref>

In 2019 Power completed a master's degree in political science at Victoria University of Wellington, with a thesis comparing two US elections.<ref>{{cite thesis |last=Power |first=Simon |year=2019 |type=Masters thesis |title=Two U.S. elections: 1960 and 2000. A comparison of character |publisher=Open Access Repository Victoria University of Wellington, Victoria University of Wellington |doi=10.26686/wgtn.17141921|doi-access=free }}</ref>

In late December 2021, Power was appointed as the chief executive of the public broadcaster [[TVNZ]]. Power had recently stepped down as acting chief of Westpac Bank when the bank appointed Catherine McGrath as chief executive in November 2021. Power began the role in March 2022.<ref>{{cite news |title=TVNZ appoints Simon Power as CEO |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/tvnz-appoints-simon-power-as-ceo/NOT2RZAGFPFE63EPOBVHULTPWQ/ |access-date=21 December 2021 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=21 December 2021}}</ref>

On 4th April 2023 Power announced his resignation from TVNZ with his last day being the 30th June.<ref>{{Cite web |title=TVNZ chief executive Simon Power stepping down |url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/04/04/tvnz-chief-executive-simon-power-stepping-down/ |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=1 News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Emonds |first1=Susan |title=Simon Power to resign as TVNZ's chief executive |work=Stuff.co.nz |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/300847035/simon-power-to-resign-as-tvnzs-chief-executive |access-date=4 April 2023}}</ref>

Power told an interviewer in July 2023 that part of the reason he had left TVNZ was to commence research for his PhD in American politics. Power said that he planned to holiday in "...California, Washington DC and New York..." then undertake archival research "...focusing on four U.S. Presidents and their paths as governors or through the Senate."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lunch with... departing TVNZ CEO Simon Power: Why he left - and what he's doing next|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/simon-power-tvnz-ceo-reveals-why-he-left-and-what-hes-doing-next/NLT7FBRBIZEZPAGNV4FRGIY2E4/ |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=New Zealand Herald |language=en}}</ref> He returned to the financial industry in February 2024 as chief executive of Fisher Funds.<ref name="g986" />


==References==
==References==
Line 109: Line 121:


==External links==
==External links==
{{Subject bar |auto=y|d=y}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20111010190337/http://www.national.org.nz/MP.aspx?Id=20 Profile] at National party
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20111010190337/http://www.national.org.nz/MP.aspx?Id=20 Profile] at National party
*[https://www.parliament.nz/en/mps-and-electorates/former-members-of-parliament/power-simon/ Profile] at New Zealand Parliament
*[https://www.parliament.nz/en/mps-and-electorates/former-members-of-parliament/power-simon/ Profile] at New Zealand Parliament
Line 116: Line 129:
{{s-start}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-par|nz}}
{{s-par|nz}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Denis Marshall]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Denis Marshall (politician)|Denis Marshall]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Rangitīkei (New Zealand electorate)|Member of Parliament for Rangitikei]]|years=1999–2011}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Rangitīkei (New Zealand electorate)|Member of Parliament for Rangitikei]]|years=1999–2011}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Ian McKelvie]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Ian McKelvie]]}}
Line 130: Line 143:


{{Fifth National Government of New Zealand}}
{{Fifth National Government of New Zealand}}
{{NZ National Party}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Power, Simon}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Power, Simon}}
[[Category:1969 births]]
[[Category:1969 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:New Zealand lawyers]]
[[Category:20th-century New Zealand lawyers]]
[[Category:New Zealand National Party MPs]]
[[Category:New Zealand National Party MPs]]
[[Category:People from Palmerston North]]
[[Category:People from Palmerston North]]
Line 145: Line 157:
[[Category:People educated at St Peter's College, Palmerston North]]
[[Category:People educated at St Peter's College, Palmerston North]]
[[Category:21st-century New Zealand politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century New Zealand politicians]]
[[Category:Justice ministers of New Zealand]]
[[Category:New Zealand chief executives]]

Latest revision as of 18:02, 30 November 2024

The Honourable
Simon Power
QSO
Power in 2013
46th Minister of Justice
In office
19 November 2008 – 12 December 2011
Prime MinisterJohn Key
Preceded byAnnette King
Succeeded byJudith Collins
Minister of State Owned Enterprises
In office
19 November 2008 – 13 April 2011
Prime MinisterJohn Key
Preceded byTrevor Mallard
Succeeded byTony Ryall
9th Minister of Commerce
In office
19 November 2008 – 12 December 2011
Prime MinisterJohn Key
Preceded byLianne Dalziel
Succeeded byCraig Foss
Deputy Leader of the House
In office
19 November 2008 – December 2011
Prime MinisterJohn Key
Preceded byDarren Hughes
Succeeded byAnne Tolley
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Rangitikei
In office
1999 – December 2011
Preceded byDenis Marshall
Succeeded byIan McKelvie
Personal details
Born (1969-12-05) 5 December 1969 (age 55)
New Zealand
Political partyNational
ProfessionLawyer

Simon James Power QSO (born 5 December 1969) is a New Zealand chief executive and former politician.

Power was elected to the New Zealand House of Representatives in 1999 as the Member of Parliament for Rangitīkei. A member of the National Party, he served as Minister of Justice, Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, and Minister for State Owned Enterprises in the first term of the Fifth National Government from 2008 until 2011. His retirement from politics was considered a surprise.[1]

After leaving Parliament, Power worked for ten years at Westpac, including as acting chief executive. He was chief executive of TVNZ from 2022 to 2023, during the period when it was floated that the state-owned television network merge with Radio New Zealand. Since 2024 he has been chief executive of investment firm Fisher Funds.[2]

Early years

[edit]

Power was educated in Palmerston North, attending St Peter's College from 1981-1987.[3] While at St Peter's, he captained two senior sports teams and chaired the School Council.[4] He later studied at Victoria University of Wellington, gaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science in 1992 and then a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1993.[5] He served as president of the Victoria University Law Students' Society for two years.[6]

After leaving university, Power worked as a lawyer for Fitzherbert Rowe in Palmerston North, and for a brief period for Kensington Swan in Auckland.[7] In 1998, he decided to enter national politics. Having been a member of the National Party since the year he left university,[8] he secured the party's nomination for Rangitikei, a predominantly rural area just outside Palmerston North. The incumbent, National MP Denis Marshall, retired from Parliament in 1999.

Member of Parliament

[edit]
New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate List Party
1999–2002 46th Rangitikei 37 National
2002–2005 47th Rangitikei 13 National
2005–2008 48th Rangitikei 3 National
2008–2011 49th Rangitīkei 4 National

In the 1999 election, Power won Rangitikei. He defeated his opponent, the Labour Party's Craig Walsham, by slightly under three hundred votes.[9][10] Once in parliament, Power became his party's spokesman on Labour, Industrial Relations, and Youth Affairs. After he retained his seat in the 2002 election, these roles were swapped for Justice, Tertiary Education, and Workplace Skills. In 2003, when Don Brash became leader of the National Party, Power's responsibilities were once again reshuffled, giving him the portfolios of Defence, Veterans' Affairs, and Youth Affairs.

In May 2004, Power caused controversy for his statement that (as regards defence and foreign affairs) "where Britain, the United States and Australia go, we go".[11] Power later expressed regret for how the statement was interpreted, and party leader Don Brash said that it did not reflect National Party policy. In August of the same year, Power was moved from the defence position to that of chief whip.[12][13]

Between 2005 and 2008, Power was Opposition Spokesperson on Law and Order[12] and repeatedly called for an inquiry into the management of the Corrections Department.[14][15] A few months before the election in 2008, Parliament's Law & Order Select Committee agreed to hold a wide-ranging inquiry.[16] When National won the election in 2008, Power was appointed Minister of Justice. He also served as Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Minister for State Owned Enterprises, and Deputy Leader of the House.

Power was picked as the 2010 politician of the year by the Trans Tasman political newsletter.[17]

Life after Parliament

[edit]

On 2 March 2011 Power announced he would step down at the end of the term in late 2011.[18] In April 2011, Power's ministerial portfolio for State-Owned Enterprises was transferred to Tony Ryall in preparation for Power's transition into business; he wanted to avoid potential conflicts of interest.[19]

In December 2011 Power was granted the right to retain the title of The Honourable[20] in recognition of his term as a Member of the Executive Council of New Zealand and became The Hon. Simon Power. In January 2012 he became the head of the bank Westpac New Zealand's Private Bank.[21] In the 2012 Queen's Birthday Honours Power was appointed a Companion of the Queen's Service Order (QSO) for services as a Member of Parliament.[22]

Power served as the chairman of the King's College Board of Governors, during which time he had to deal with accusations of bullying at the school due to the scandal regarding National Party MP Sam Uffindell's time at the school.[23]

In 2019 Power completed a master's degree in political science at Victoria University of Wellington, with a thesis comparing two US elections.[24]

In late December 2021, Power was appointed as the chief executive of the public broadcaster TVNZ. Power had recently stepped down as acting chief of Westpac Bank when the bank appointed Catherine McGrath as chief executive in November 2021. Power began the role in March 2022.[25]

On 4th April 2023 Power announced his resignation from TVNZ with his last day being the 30th June.[26][27]

Power told an interviewer in July 2023 that part of the reason he had left TVNZ was to commence research for his PhD in American politics. Power said that he planned to holiday in "...California, Washington DC and New York..." then undertake archival research "...focusing on four U.S. Presidents and their paths as governors or through the Senate."[28] He returned to the financial industry in February 2024 as chief executive of Fisher Funds.[2]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Simon Power leaving parliament". NZ Herald. 1 March 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  2. ^ a b Reidy, Madison (13 November 2023). "Second biggest KiwiSaver firm nabs ex-TVNZ boss". NZ Herald. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  3. ^ "Hon Simon Power". New Zealand Parliament. Parliamentary Services. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  4. ^ "Power of the people". Manawatu Standard. 1 September 2009. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  5. ^ "Hon Simon Power". New Zealand Parliament. Parliamentary Services. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  6. ^ "Power of the people". Manawatu Standard. 1 September 2009. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  7. ^ "Hon Simon Power". New Zealand Parliament. Parliamentary Services. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  8. ^ "Power of the people". Manawatu Standard. 1 September 2009. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  9. ^ Laxon, Andrew (30 June 2000). "Poll count farce as papers go missing". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  10. ^ Maslin, John (10 October 2011). "Simon Power: Goodbye Politics". Whanganui Chronicle. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  11. ^ Watkins, Tracy (9 November 2014). "Key eyes war with caution". Dominion Post. Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  12. ^ a b "New Zealand Parliament – Simon Power". Archived from the original on 30 January 2008.
  13. ^ Young, Audrey (10 August 2004). "Reshuffle demotes Brash's star MP". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  14. ^ Power calls for inquiry into Corrections, Press Release, 23 January 2006,
  15. ^ Need for Corrections inquiry now undeniable, Press release 6 March 2006
  16. ^ Corrections inquiry long overdue, Press release 16 April 2008
  17. ^ "Simon Power named politician of the year". Otago Daily Times Online News. 29 November 2010. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  18. ^ Martin Kay (2 March 2011). "Justice Minister Simon Power to retire". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
  19. ^ "Simon Power ditches SOE portfolio". TVNZ. 13 April 2011. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
  20. ^ "Retention of the Title ‘The Honourable’" (15 December 2011) 200 New Zealand Gazette 5729.
  21. ^ "Simon Power going to Westpac Bank". The New Zealand Herald. 11 October 2011. Retrieved 11 October 2011.
  22. ^ The Queen's Birthday and Diamond Jubilee Honours 2012 (29 June 2012) 74 New Zealand Gazette 2091.
  23. ^ Maher, Rachel (10 October 2022). "King's College invites ex-students back to talk about bullying after Uffindell scandal". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  24. ^ Power, Simon (2019). Two U.S. elections: 1960 and 2000. A comparison of character (Masters thesis). Open Access Repository Victoria University of Wellington, Victoria University of Wellington. doi:10.26686/wgtn.17141921.
  25. ^ "TVNZ appoints Simon Power as CEO". The New Zealand Herald. 21 December 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  26. ^ "TVNZ chief executive Simon Power stepping down". 1 News. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  27. ^ Emonds, Susan. "Simon Power to resign as TVNZ's chief executive". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  28. ^ "Lunch with... departing TVNZ CEO Simon Power: Why he left - and what he's doing next". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
[edit]
New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Rangitikei
1999–2011 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Minister of Justice
2008–2011 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister of Commerce
2008–2011 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Simon_Power_(politician)&oldid=1260424923"