# MP Profile — Hon Kelvin Davis (Labour) **Status:** Former MP — resigned effective 6 February 2024 (Waitangi Day) **Electorate:** List MP (2023–2024); previously Te Tai Tokerau (2014–2023) **Party:** New Zealand Labour Party **54th Parliament service:** 14 October 2023 – 6 February 2024 (replaced by Dr Tracey McLellan) **File created:** 9 June 2026 --- ## Current Roles (at time of resignation) | Role | Detail | | ------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Parliamentary role** | List MP (Labour Party list rank #2) | | **Electorate** | Lost Te Tai Tokerau to Mariameno Kapa-Kingi (Te Pāti Māori) in Oct 2023; re-elected on list | | **Party role** | Former Deputy Leader of Labour Party (1 Aug 2017 – 7 Nov 2023); succeeded by Carmel Sepuloni | | **Ministerial portfolios (pre-2023)** | Minister of Corrections (2017–2023); Minister for Children/Oranga Tamariki (2020–2023); Minister for Māori–Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti (2017–2023); Associate Minister of Education (Māori Education) (2017–2023); Minister of Tourism (2017–2020) | | **Select committees** | Former member: Education and Workforce Committee (53rd Parliament); Māori Affairs Committee | | **Post-parliament** | Appointed to Māori Education Ministerial Advisory Group (May 2026) | **Source:** Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelvin_Davis_(politician)), accessed 9 Jun 2026; Labour Party release (https://www.labour.org.nz/news/release-labour-mp-kelvin-davis-retiring-from-politics/), accessed 9 Jun 2026; Beehive.govt.nz (https://www.beehive.govt.nz/minister/hon-kelvin-davis), accessed 9 Jun 2026 --- ## Relevance Score | Score | Category | Reasoning | | ---------- | ---------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 🟢 **LOW** | General MP | No ministerial or spokesperson role in seniors, health, housing, social development, or disability portfolios. Portfolios covered Corrections, Children, Māori–Crown Relations, Tourism, and Māori Education. Voted in favour of End of Life Choice Act. | **Explanation:** Kelvin Davis held no portfolios touching seniors policy (NZ Super, health, housing, disability, aged care). His relevance to older NZers is limited to: (a) his vote supporting the End of Life Choice Act (assisted dying, which disproportionately affects older people); (b) his work on caregiver financial assistance through the Social Security (Financial Assistance for Caregivers) Amendment Bill; (c) his general concern for Māori health and social outcomes, which intersects with ageing Māori populations. As a former MP who resigned in February 2024, he no longer holds any parliamentary influence. --- ## Public Background **Professional:** - Teacher for 20 years, including principal of Kaitaia Intermediate School (2001–2007), credited with turning around a struggling school. - Diploma of Teaching from Auckland College of Education. - Worked for Ministry of Education in Māori education between parliamentary terms (2011–2014). **Political:** - First elected to Parliament as a list MP in 2008 (49th Parliament). - Lost seat in 2011; returned May 2014 after Shane Jones resigned. - Won Te Tai Tokerau electorate in 2014, defeating Hone Harawira; held it in 2017 and 2020. - Appointed Deputy Leader of Labour Party in August 2017 after Jacinda Ardern became leader — first Māori to hold the role. - Served as senior minister in the Sixth Labour Government (2017–2023) across Corrections, Māori–Crown Relations, Children, Tourism, and Associate Education (Māori Education). - Declined Deputy Prime Minister role after the 2020 election. - Lost Te Tai Tokerau electorate in 2023 by 517 votes to Mariameno Kapa-Kingi (Te Pāti Māori); returned as list MP. - Announced resignation December 2023, effective Waitangi Day (6 February 2024). **Iwi:** Ngāpuhi (Ngāti Manu hapū) **Source:** Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelvin_Davis_(politician)), accessed 9 Jun 2026 --- ## Public Positions Relevant to Older New Zealanders | Issue | Position | Source | Date | | ---------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------- | | **End of Life Choice Act (assisted dying)** | Supported — voted in favour of the End of Life Choice Act 2019 at all stages, including third reading | https://www.valueyourvote.org.nz/candidates/kelvin-davis (accessed 9 Jun 2026); https://newsroom.co.nz/2017/12/13/big-vote-in-favour-of-euthanasia-bill/ (accessed 9 Jun 2026) | 2019 | | **Financial Assistance for Caregivers** | Opened and managed the Social Security (Financial Assistance for Caregivers) Amendment Bill as Minister for Children; the bill extended financial support to caregivers including those caring for older or disabled family members | https://www3.parliament.nz/mi/pb/hansard-debates/hansard-debate-summaries/social-security-financial-assistance-for-caregivers-amendment-bill-first-reading-summary/ (accessed 9 Jun 2026) | 2022–2023 | | **End of Life Choice Act — Conscientious objection** | Voted against supplementary order papers that would have strengthened conscientious objection rights for health professionals, including a cooling-off period requirement | https://www.valueyourvote.org.nz/candidates/kelvin-davis (accessed 9 Jun 2026) | 2019 | | **Māori health equity** | As Minister for Māori–Crown Relations and Associate Education (Māori), advocated for improving Māori health and wellbeing outcomes, including Budget 2023 investment in whānau wellbeing; no specific statements on Māori seniors or kaumātua | https://www.beehive.govt.nz/minister/hon-kelvin-davis (accessed 9 Jun 2026) | 2017–2023 | | **Housing affordability** | Introduced Housing Corporation (Affordable Housing Development) Amendment Bill (Member's Bill, 2016) — early version of KiwiBuild concept; bill defeated in 2017 | https://www3.parliament.nz/mi/pb/bills-and-laws/bills-digests/document/51PLLaw24461/housing-corporation-affordable-housing-development-amendment (accessed 9 Jun 2026); Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelvin_Davis_(politician)) | 2016–2017 | | **Cannabis referendum 2020** | Voted in favour of legalising recreational cannabis | https://www.valueyourvote.org.nz/candidates/kelvin-davis (accessed 9 Jun 2026) | 2020 | **Summary:** No clear public position found on seniors-specific issues such as NZ Super, retirement villages, dementia policy, elder abuse, aged care, palliative care, or disability support. Davis's policy focus was overwhelmingly on Corrections, children's welfare, and Māori–Crown relations. --- ## Parliamentary Activity **Bills sponsored/spoken to:** | Bill | Type | Role | Status | Date | |------|------|------|--------|------| | Housing Corporation (Affordable Housing Development) Amendment Bill | Member's Bill | Sponsor | Defeated at first reading | 2016–2017 | | Corrections Amendment Bill 2018 | Government Bill | Minister in charge | Passed | 2018 | | Parole Amendment Bill 2023 | Government Bill | Minister in charge | Introduced 29 Aug 2023 | 2023 | | Oranga Tamariki Amendment Bill | Government Bill | Minister in charge | Third reading passed 13 Dec 2022 | 2022 | | Social Security (Financial Assistance for Caregivers) Amendment Bill | Government Bill | Minister in charge | First reading; reported from select committee | 2022–2023 | | Wānanga / Kura Kaupapa Māori Bill | Government Bill | Associate Minister | Introduced 29 Mar 2023 | 2023 | **Sources:** - https://bills.parliament.nz/v/6/a4c14cf6-fc60-441e-2b96-08dba99e2d35?Tab=history (Parole Amendment Bill), accessed 9 Jun 2026 - https://www3.parliament.nz/mi/pb/bills-and-laws/bills-digests/document/51PLLaw24461/housing-corporation-affordable-housing-development-amendment (Housing Corporation Bill), accessed 9 Jun 2026 - https://www3.parliament.nz/mi/pb/hansard-debates/hansard-debate-summaries/social-security-financial-assistance-for-caregivers-amendment-bill-first-reading-summary/ (Caregivers Bill), accessed 9 Jun 2026 - Beehive.govt.nz releases (https://www.beehive.govt.nz/minister/hon-kelvin-davis), accessed 9 Jun 2026 **Oral Questions:** - Participated regularly in oral question time as Minister for Children and Minister of Corrections. - Notable: Questions focused on youth offending, prison population reduction, Oranga Tamariki reform, and Māori–Crown relations. **Select committee activity:** - As Minister, appeared before the Education and Workforce Committee and Māori Affairs Committee to present bills and answer questions. - No select committee chairs held after 2023. **Valedictory speech (31 January 2024):** - Criticised the Government's proposed Treaty Principles Bill. - Called for proper engagement with Māori on Treaty matters. - Reaffirmed commitment to Māori-Crown relations and Treaty partnership. - Source: 1News (https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/01/31/kelvin-davis-takes-aim-at-treaty-principles-bill-in-valedictory-speech/), accessed 9 Jun 2026 - Source: NZ Herald (https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/kelvin-davis-rallying-call-to-maori-as-he-finishes-politics-with-rockstar-ending/GBTI3U74F5CNVM6QSDVL5KBMDA/), accessed 9 Jun 2026 --- ## Declared Interests (Register of Pecuniary Interests) Based on the 2023 Register of Pecuniary and Other Specified Interests of Members of Parliament (as at 31 January 2023): | Category | Detail | | ---------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Real property** | Family home – Kaitāia | | **Retirement schemes** | ASB KiwiSaver | | **Gifts** | Assortment of minor gifts (see full register for details) | | **Other** | No declared company directorships, controlling interests, trusts, or debts >$50k | **Source:** Register of Pecuniary and Other Specified Interests of Members of Parliament 2023 (https://www3.parliament.nz/media/10239/register-of-pecuniary-and-other-specified-interests-of-members-of-parliament-2023.pdf), accessed 9 Jun 2026 **Relevance to seniors/health/aged care:** None declared. No shareholdings, directorships, or trusts in health, aged care, retirement villages, or property development sectors. --- ## Business-Decision Implications - **Low immediate relevance.** Davis resigned from Parliament in February 2024 and holds no current policy influence. - His appointment to the Māori Education Ministerial Advisory Group (May 2026) gives him influence over Māori education policy but not seniors, health, or aged care. - No declared conflicts of interest in health, aged care, or retirement village sectors. - His historical work on caregiver financial assistance and assisted dying may indicate a broadly progressive stance on end-of-life and social support issues, but this is legacy material only. --- ## Campaign Relevance - **Nil for the current term.** Davis is no longer a candidate or MP. - If he were to return to politics in a future election (unlikely given his stated retirement reasons focused on family), his Te Tai Tokerau base and Māori constituency would be the primary audience. - His replacement, Dr Tracey McLellan (Labour, Banks Peninsula), should be profiled separately. --- ## Monitoring Terms For ongoing relevance to this Knowledge Base, no specific monitoring of Kelvin Davis is recommended. If he re-enters public life in a capacity touching seniors policy, the following terms could be monitored: - "Kelvin Davis" AND "aged care" OR "seniors" OR "NZ Super" OR "retirement" OR "kaumātua" - "Kelvin Davis" AND "health" OR "disability" OR "palliative" --- ## Source List | # | Source | URL | Date Accessed | | --- | -------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------- | | 1 | Wikipedia — Kelvin Davis (politician) | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelvin_Davis_(politician) | 9 Jun 2026 | | 2 | Labour Party — Kelvin Davis retiring from politics | https://www.labour.org.nz/news/release-labour-mp-kelvin-davis-retiring-from-politics/ | 9 Jun 2026 | | 3 | New Zealand Parliament — Former MPs: Kelvin Davis | https://www3.parliament.nz/en/mps-and-electorates/former-members-of-parliament/davis-kelvin/ | 9 Jun 2026 | | 4 | Beehive.govt.nz — Hon Kelvin Davis releases | https://www.beehive.govt.nz/minister/hon-kelvin-davis | 9 Jun 2026 | | 5 | 1News — Kelvin Davis valedictory speech | https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/01/31/kelvin-davis-takes-aim-at-treaty-principles-bill-in-valedictory-speech/ | 9 Jun 2026 | | 6 | NZ Herald — Kelvin Davis rallying call to Māori in valedictory | https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/kelvin-davis-rallying-call-to-maori-as-he-finishes-politics-with-rockstar-ending/GBTI3U74F5CNVM6QSDVL5KBMDA/ | 9 Jun 2026 | | 7 | RNZ — Kelvin Davis appointed to Māori Education Advisory Group | https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/education/595682/kelvin-davis-appointed-to-maori-education-ministerial-advisory-group | 9 Jun 2026 | | 8 | Te Ao Māori News — Kelvin Davis retires for his mokopuna | https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2023/12/15/i-want-her-to-see-me-as-is-a-grandfather-kelvin-davis-retires-for-his-mokopuna/ | 9 Jun 2026 | | 9 | Value Your Vote — Kelvin Davis voting record | https://www.valueyourvote.org.nz/candidates/kelvin-davis | 9 Jun 2026 | | 10 | Register of Pecuniary Interests 2023 (PDF) | https://www3.parliament.nz/media/10239/register-of-pecuniary-and-other-specified-interests-of-members-of-parliament-2023.pdf | 9 Jun 2026 | | 11 | The Guardian — Mission to get Māori out of prison | https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/30/the-man-on-a-mission-to-get-new-zealands-maori-out-of-prison | 9 Jun 2026 | | 12 | Newsroom — Big vote in favour of euthanasia bill | https://newsroom.co.nz/2017/12/13/big-vote-in-favour-of-euthanasia-bill/ | 9 Jun 2026 | | 13 | Parliament.nz — Housing Corporation Bill digest | https://www3.parliament.nz/mi/pb/bills-and-laws/bills-digests/document/51PLLaw24461/housing-corporation-affordable-housing-development-amendment | 9 Jun 2026 | | 14 | Parliament.nz — Parole Amendment Bill | https://bills.parliament.nz/v/6/a4c14cf6-fc60-441e-2b96-08dba99e2d35?Tab=history | 9 Jun 2026 | | 15 | Parliament.nz — Social Security Caregivers Bill | https://www3.parliament.nz/mi/pb/hansard-debates/hansard-debate-summaries/social-security-financial-assistance-for-caregivers-amendment-bill-first-reading-summary/ | 9 Jun 2026 | | 16 | Beehive — Better Pathways youth justice (6 Apr 2023) | https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/boosting-rehabilitation-and-reintegration-prisoners | 9 Jun 2026 | | 17 | PublicData NZ — Kelvin Davis | https://publicdata.co.nz/public-sector-people/kelvin-davis | 9 Jun 2026 |