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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
McClay in 2023
11th Minister of Trade
Incumbent
Assumed office
27 November 2023
Prime MinisterChristopher Luxon
Preceded byDamien O'Connor
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
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Rotorua
Incumbent
Assumed office
8 December 2008
Preceded bySteve Chadwick
Majority8,923
Personal details
Born (1968-11-22) 22 November 1968 (age 56)
Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
Political partyNational
SpouseNadene McClay
RelationsRoger McClay (father)
Residence(s)Rotorua, New Zealand
OccupationMember of Parliament for Rotorua
Websitehttp://www.toddmcclay.co.nz/

Early life

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

European Union diplomatic career

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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.[citation needed]

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

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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
2017–2020 52nd Rotorua 14 National
2020–2023 53rd Rotorua 6 National
2023–present 54th Rotorua 12 National

First term, 2008–2011

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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.[6]

In 2009 his Shop Trading Hours Act 1990 Repeal (Easter Sunday Local Choice) Amendment Bill was drawn from the ballot.[7] 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.[8]

Second term, 2011–2014

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In 2011, McClay was reelected as the Member of Parliament for Rotorua increasing his majority to 7,357 votes.[9]

In late June 2012, 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.[10][11] The Bill received Royal Assent on 12 August 2013 and became law the day after.[12]

On 30 August 2012, McClay voted against the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill, a bill allowing same-sex couples to marry in New Zealand.[13]

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

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

Third term, 2014–2017

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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, Tāmati Coffey.[16]

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.[17]

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.[18]

In late July 2016, McClay was rebuked by Prime Minister John Key for downplaying concerns that China would retaliate if New Zealand undertook an investigation of Chinese steel dumping.[19]

In 2017, McClay represented his party in Beijing before a dialogue organised by the International Liaison Department of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). McClay also referred to the Xinjiang internment camps as "vocational training centers" in line with CCP talking points.[20][21]

Fourth term, 2017–2020

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During the 2017 general election, McClay retained Rotorua for National by a margin of 7,901 votes.[22]

In late August 2019, former National MP Jami-Lee Ross alleged that McClay had helped to facilitate a NZ$150,000 to the National Party in his capacity as Trade Minister in 2016 from a company owned by Chinese millionaire Lin Lang. McClay and the National Party have denied these allegations.[23][24]

Fifth term, 2020–2023

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During the 2020 general election, McClay retained his seat in Rotorua by a final margin of 825 votes.[25]

McClay was one of only eight MPs to vote against the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Act 2022. He voted against it at its first reading (which then-party-leader Judith Collins instructed her MPs to do), for it at its second reading, and against it at its third and final reading.[26]

Following a reshuffle in party leader Christopher Luxon's shadow cabinet on 19 January 2023, McClay was given the new Hunting and Fishing portfolio. He retained his 16th place ranking within Luxon's shadow cabinet.[27][28]

Following the announcement of Todd Muller's retirement from Parliament on 17 March 2023, McClay was given National's Agriculture portfolio and promoted to 12th place ranking within Luxon's shadow cabinet.[29]

Sixth term, 2023–present

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During the 2023 general election, McClay retained his seat in Rotorua by an increased margin of 8,923 votes.[30]

In late November 2023, McClay was sworn in as a Minister taking responsibility of the Agriculture, Forestry, Hunting and Fishing, and Trade portfolios. He was also appointed as the Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs.[31][32]

In mid December 2023, McClay accepted the role of Vice-Chair for the World Trade Organization's 13th Ministerial Conference at Abu Dhabi in 2024.[33]

On 11 June 2024, McClay confirmed that the Government would exclude agriculture from the NZ emissions trading scheme (ETS).[34] On 14 June, McClay announced that the Government would cancel the annual service charges for forestry under the country's emissions trading scheme, which amounts to NZ$30.25 per hectare.[35]

On 30 July 2024, McClay apologised after telling Green Party MP Ricardo Menéndez March "you're not in Mexico now, we don't do things like that here" during a parliamentary sitting. March raised the matter with Speaker Gerry Brownlee, who ordered McClay to withdraw and apologise.[36] On 31 July, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon described McClay's remarks as inappropriate and said he would discuss the matter with McClay. Opposition leader Chris Hipkins described McClay's remarks as offensive towards migrant New Zealanders and questioned his suitability to remain as trade minister.[37]

As Trade Minister, McClay played a role in New Zealand securing free trade agreements with the United Arab Emirates in late September 2024 and the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council in late October 2024. These free trade agreements lifted duties on the vast majority of New Zealand's exports to these Gulf Arab states over the next three to ten years.[38][39]

Personal life

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He has four adult children with his wife, Nadene,[40] and lives in Rotorua.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "ACP DIRECTORY: THE AFRICAN, CARIBBEAN AND PACIFIC STATES DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS" (PDF). Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States. 2 October 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  2. ^ "Cook Islands Government Structure". Cook Islands Government. 19 May 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
  3. ^ "Ec av Portal". European Commission Audiovisual Service. Archived from the original on 19 May 2011. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  4. ^ "MINUTES OF THE SITTING OF WEDNESDAY, 2 APRIL 2003" (PDF). Official Journal of the European Union. European Union. 2 April 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 May 2011. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  5. ^ a b Taipari, Greg (20 March 2008). "National chooses Rotorua candidate". Rotorua Daily Post. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2008 – via The New Zealand Herald.
  6. ^ "Official Count Results – Rotorua". Electoral Commission. 22 November 2008. Archived from the original on 22 January 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  7. ^ "Shop Trading Hours Act 1990 Repeal (Easter Sunday Local Choice) Amendment Bill". New Zealand Parliament. Retrieved 10 December 2009.
  8. ^ "Easter trading bill defeated on conscience vote". Stuff. 9 December 2009. Archived from the original on 6 September 2017. Retrieved 10 December 2009.
  9. ^ "Official Count Results – Rotorua". Electoral Commission. 10 December 2011. Archived from the original on 22 January 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  10. ^ "Todd McClay seeks to ban gang patches". Rotorua Daily Post. 28 June 2012. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 11 June 2015 – via The New Zealand Herald.
  11. ^ Gillespie, Kim (16 May 2013). "Editorial: Gang bill likely to reduce influence". Rotorua Daily Post. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 11 June 2015 – via The New Zealand Herald.
  12. ^ "Prohibition of Gang Insignia in Government Premises Act 2013 No 56, Public Act Contents – New Zealand Legislation". Legislation.govt.nz. Parliamentary Counsel Office. 12 August 2013. Archived from the original on 3 May 2020. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
  13. ^ "Rotorua MP votes against gay marriage bill". Rotorua Daily Post. 30 August 2012. Archived from the original on 14 November 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2016 – via The New Zealand Herald.
  14. ^ Chapman, Kate; Watkins, Tracey; Small, Vernon; Rutherford, Hamish (10 June 2013). "Dunne's portfolios handed to MP McClay". Stuff. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  15. ^ "New ministerial role for Rotorua MP Todd McClay". Rotorua Daily Post. 21 January 2014. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 21 January 2014 – via The New Zealand Herald.
  16. ^ "Official Count Results – Rotorua". Electoral Commission. 10 October 2014. Archived from the original on 17 January 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  17. ^ "Todd McClay promoted to cabinet minister". Rotorua Daily Post. 5 October 2014. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 11 June 2015 – via The New Zealand Herald.
  18. ^ "Todd McClay tipped for promotion". Rotorua Daily Post. 6 December 2015. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2020 – via The New Zealand Herald.
  19. ^ Small, Vernon (25 July 2016). "McClay rebuked by PM after failing to reveal wider fears of China retribution". Stuff. Archived from the original on 14 February 2019. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  20. ^ Cook, Sarah (14 January 2020). "Beijing's Global Megaphone: The Expansion of Chinese Communist Party Media Influence since 2017". Freedom House. Archived from the original on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  21. ^ Lulu, Jichang (16 November 2018). "New Zealand: United Frontlings bearing gifts". Sinopsis. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  22. ^ "Rotorua – Official Result". Electoral Commission. Archived from the original on 17 January 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  23. ^ O'Brien, Tova. "National MP Todd McClay responds to 'outside spirit of the law' donation allegation". Newshub. Archived from the original on 6 August 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  24. ^ "National denies former trade minister Todd McClay helped facilitate $150k donation". Radio New Zealand. 27 August 2019. Archived from the original on 14 December 2019. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  25. ^ "Rotorua – Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  26. ^ "Politicians react as bill to ban conversion therapy passes". RNZ. 15 February 2022. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
  27. ^ "National reshuffle: Luxon promotes former leaders Judith Collins, Todd Muller". The New Zealand Herald. 19 January 2023. Archived from the original on 19 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  28. ^ New Zealand National Party (19 January 2023). "Luxon Sets Out Team To Contest The 2023 Election". Scoop. Archived from the original on 19 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  29. ^ "National reshuffle:". Rural News. 17 March 2023.
  30. ^ "Rotorua - Official Result". Electoral Commission. 3 November 2023. Archived from the original on 10 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  31. ^ "Ministerial List" (PDF). Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 27 November 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 November 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  32. ^ "Cabinet lineup for new government unveiled - who gets what?". Radio New Zealand. 24 November 2023. Archived from the original on 4 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  33. ^ McClay, Todd (15 December 2023). "New Zealand accepts Vice Chair role at the upcoming World Trade Organisation". Beehive.govt.nz. New Zealand Government. Archived from the original on 18 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  34. ^ Smith, Anneke (11 June 2024). "Coalition exempts farmers from ETS, sets up fresh working group". RNZ. Archived from the original on 16 June 2024. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  35. ^ "Government cancels annual ETS charge for forestry". RNZ. 14 June 2024. Archived from the original on 14 June 2024. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  36. ^ "Trade Minister Todd McClay apologises to Green MP Ricardo Menendez March over remarks allegedly referencing Mexico". The New Zealand Herald. 30 July 2024. Archived from the original on 31 July 2024. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  37. ^ Dexter, Giles (31 July 2024). "Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to speak to Todd McClay over Mexico remark to MP". RNZ. Archived from the original on 31 July 2024. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  38. ^ "New Zealand, United Arab Emirates reach trade pact". Reuters. 26 September 2024. Archived from the original on 27 September 2024. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  39. ^ "New Zealand reaches trade deal with Gulf states". Reuters. 1 November 2024. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  40. ^ "Belgium bombing hits close to home for MP". Bay of Plenty Times. March 2016.
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New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Rotorua
2008–present 		Incumbent
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