# MP Profile: Paul Goldsmith (National) **Party:** New Zealand National Party **Electorate:** List MP **Parliament URL:** https://www.parliament.nz/en/mps-and-electorates/members-of-parliament/goldsmith-paul/ _(Radware-blocked — inaccessible via automated scraping)_ **Current Roles:** - Minister of Justice - Minister for Pacific Peoples **Relevance to Seniors:** 🔴 **HIGH** — _Justice portfolio governs elder abuse prosecution, Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPA), Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act (PPPR Act), and legal protections for older New Zealanders. Pacific Peoples portfolio covers Pacific seniors — a rapidly growing demographic with distinct ageing needs._ --- ## Public Background Paul Goldsmith is a senior National Party MP first elected in 2011 (list MP). He has a background in law and business — he worked as a lawyer and business consultant before becoming a minister. He has held a range of senior portfolios including Arts, Culture and Heritage, Treaty Negotiations, and Commerce and Consumer Affairs across different terms. As Minister of Justice, he oversees the justice system including courts, legal aid, family law, and criminal law — all of which have significant dimensions for older New Zealanders. He also holds the Pacific Peoples portfolio, which covers the wellbeing of New Zealand's Pacific communities — a population that is ageing, though from a younger baseline than the general population. Goldsmith has been involved in family justice reform, including the Care of Children Act and family court processes relevant to elder guardianship. --- ## Public Positions Relevant to Older New Zealanders | Policy Area | Stated Position / Activity | | -------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Elder Abuse Prosecution** | Justice portfolio covers criminal prosecution of elder abuse (physical, financial, psychological) — police referral, court processes, victim support. | | **Enduring Powers of Attorney** | Legislative framework for EPAs — regulation of attorney conduct, EPA registration, and dispute resolution. Portfolio determines reform direction. | | **PPPR Act Administration** | Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988 governs welfare guardianship, property management orders, and personal orders for older people lacking capacity. | | **Elder Financial Exploitation** | Legal remedies for financial abuse of older people — criminal charges, estate claims, trust law protections. | | **Family Court (Elder Guardianship)** | Family Court jurisdiction over guardianship and welfare of older people — court resourcing and process efficiency. | | **Legal Aid for Seniors** | Legal aid eligibility for seniors involved in family court, protection proceedings, and estate disputes. | | **Pacific Seniors Wellbeing** | Pacific Peoples portfolio — Pacific seniors face distinct challenges: language barriers, cultural expectations about aged care, higher rates of chronic disease. | | **Pacific Aged Care Access** | Portfolio oversight of culturally appropriate aged care for Pacific older people, Pasifika provider development. | | **Restorative Justice for Elder Harm** | Restorative justice processes in cases involving older victims — portfolio determines programme scope. | --- ## Voting & Bill Relevance - **Protection of Personal and Property Rights Amendment Bills:** Any reform of the PPPR Act — welfare guardianship, EPA reform, and court processes for seniors. - **Family Court Reform Bills:** Court processes for guardianship, welfare, and property management of older people. - **Legal Aid Amendment Bills:** Legal aid eligibility thresholds affecting seniors' access to justice. - **Elder Abuse Legislation:** Any specific elder abuse offence legislation or family violence Act amendments covering elder abuse. - **Enduring Powers of Attorney Amendment Bills:** EPA registration, attorney duties, abuse safeguards. - **Victims of Crime Reform:** Victim support services for older victims of crime, fraud, and abuse. --- ## Business Implications - **Legal Profession:** Family lawyers, elder law practitioners, and trust & estate lawyers — regulatory environment for EPAs and guardianship. - **Trustee & Executor Services:** EPA and estate administration services — regulation and supervision. - **Banking & Financial Institutions:** Financial abuse detection obligations, EPA compliance processes, suspicious transaction reporting. - **Aged Care Providers:** PPPR Act compliance for care and treatment decisions for residents lacking capacity. - **Community Law Centres:** Contracts for legal services to seniors — legal aid for elder protection. - **Pacific Health & Social Services:** Contracting for Pacific seniors wellbeing programmes. --- ## Campaign Relevance - **List MP:** Goldsmith's re-election depends on National's party vote. He is a senior National figure and campaign asset on justice and law and order. - **Justice as Campaign Theme:** Law and order is a core National campaign plank — elder abuse prosecution and protection resonates with older voters. - **Elder Justice Profile:** Goldsmith can position himself as a champion for older victims of crime and for EPA reform. - **Pacific Seniors Constituency:** Growing Pacific vote — older Pacific New Zealanders are community influencers. - **2026 Election:** Goldsmith's justice portfolio delivery on elder abuse legal pathways and EPA reform will be part of National's record. --- ## Source List - Beehive.govt.nz — Justice portfolio announcements, Pacific Peoples - Parliament.nz — MP profile _(Radware-blocked)_ - Ministry of Justice — Elder abuse data, PPPR Act, EPA statistics - NZ Police — Elder abuse reporting, family violence data - Official Hansard — Justice estimates, Question Time, Pacific Peoples debates - Age Concern NZ — Elder abuse prevention and advocacy - New Zealand National Party — Justice and law and order policy - NZ Herald, Newsroom, RNZ — Justice and elder abuse coverage --- _Profile last updated: June 2026_