# MP Profile: Simon Court (ACT)

**Party:** ACT New Zealand
**Electorate:** List MP
**Parliament URL:** https://www.parliament.nz/en/mps-and-electorates/members-of-parliament/court-simon/ _(Radware-blocked — inaccessible via automated scraping)_
**Current Roles:**

- Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Infrastructure
- Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Resource Management Act (RMA)

**Relevance to Seniors:** 🟡 **MEDIUM** — _Infrastructure portfolio covers housing development, accessible urban design, and transport infrastructure affecting older people. RMA reform affects retirement village development and housing supply for downsizing seniors._

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## Public Background

Simon Court was elected as an ACT list MP in 2020. Before entering Parliament, he worked as a civil engineer, project manager, and infrastructure consultant — giving him hands-on experience in infrastructure planning and delivery. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) and a Master of Business Administration. As Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Infrastructure, he works on infrastructure policy including housing infrastructure, transport networks, and utilities — all of which affect older people's daily lives. His RMA portfolio covers the Resource Management Act reform, which affects housing supply (including retirement villages), urban design (including age-friendly communities), and access to infrastructure. Court has been a strong advocate for infrastructure investment, housing intensification, and cutting red tape for development.

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## Public Positions Relevant to Older New Zealanders

| Policy Area                              | Stated Position / Activity                                                                                                           |
| ---------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Housing Supply for Seniors**           | Infrastructure portfolio — housing infrastructure (water, roads, power) enabling retirement village and seniors housing development. |
| **Retirement Village Infrastructure**    | Infrastructure connections for new retirement villages — water, wastewater, transport, power — under portfolio influence.            |
| **RMA Reform & Retirement Villages**     | RMA reform affects consenting processes for retirement village developments, accessible housing, and seniors facilities.             |
| **Age-Friendly Urban Design**            | Infrastructure planning for age-friendly communities — footpaths, public seating, accessible crossings, public toilets.              |
| **Transport Infrastructure for Seniors** | Roading, footpaths, and public transport infrastructure affecting older people's mobility.                                           |
| **Infrastructure in Rural Areas**        | Regional infrastructure affecting older rural residents — roads, water, broadband.                                                   |
| **Housing Intensification & Seniors**    | Urban housing intensification — enables seniors to downsize and stay in established communities.                                     |
| **Building Consent Process**             | RMA portfolio influence over consenting — smaller consents for home modifications for ageing in place.                               |
| **Water Services Infrastructure**        | Water infrastructure costs passed to households and retirement villages — affects seniors' cost of living.                           |

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## Voting & Bill Relevance

- **Resource Management (Enabling Housing Supply) Amendment Bills:** RMA reform for housing supply — retirement village development, accessible housing.
- **Infrastructure (Funding) Bills:** Infrastructure investment — housing, transport, water, broadband for seniors.
- **Building (Consenting) Amendment Bills:** Building consent processes — home modifications for older people.
- **Land Transport Management Amendment Bills:** Transport infrastructure affecting older people.
- **Local Government (Water Services) Bills:** Water infrastructure costs for seniors households.

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## Business Implications

- **Retirement Village Developers:** Infrastructure connections, RMA consenting, and building code compliance.
- **Home Builders:** Accessible housing design and building consent process efficiency.
- **Infrastructure Contractors:** Water, transport, and digital infrastructure projects.
- **Civil Engineering Consultants:** Infrastructure planning for age-friendly developments.
- **Local Councils:** Infrastructure planning for ageing populations.
- **Property Developers:** Housing intensification enabling downsizing options for seniors.

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## Campaign Relevance

- **List MP (ACT):** Court's re-election depends on ACT reaching the party vote threshold. His engineering background gives him credibility on infrastructure.
- **Infrastructure & Housing:** Housing supply and infrastructure are top political issues — Court can speak to seniors housing needs.
- **ACT's Development Agenda:** Court represents ACT's deregulation and development agenda — relevant to seniors housing supply.
- **Professional Credibility:** Civil engineer background adds credibility to infrastructure debates.
- **2026 Election:** Infrastructure investment, housing supply, and RMA reform will feature in ACT's campaign.

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## Source List

- Beehive.govt.nz — Infrastructure announcements, RMA announcements
- Parliament.nz — MP profile _(Radware-blocked)_
- Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment — Infrastructure policy, RMA reform
- Infrastructure Commission — Infrastructure strategy and investment
- ACT New Zealand — Infrastructure, housing, and RMA policy
- Official Hansard — Infrastructure estimates, RMA debates, Question Time
- NZ Herald, RNZ — Infrastructure and housing coverage

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_Profile last updated: June 2026_