# MP Profile: Nicola Grigg (National) **Party:** New Zealand National Party **Electorate:** Selwyn **Parliament URL:** https://www.parliament.nz/en/mps-and-electorates/members-of-parliament/grigg-nicola/ _(Radware-blocked β€” inaccessible via automated scraping)_ **Current Roles:** - Minister for Women - Associate Minister of ACC - Associate Minister of Agriculture **Relevance to Seniors:** 🟑 **MEDIUM-HIGH** β€” _Women portfolio covers older women's economic security, gender pay gap (which compounds to a retirement savings gap), and women's health in ageing. Associate ACC role touches falls prevention and injury rehabilitation for older women._ --- ## Public Background Nicola Grigg has represented Selwyn (Canterbury) since 2020. She has a background in public policy and communications β€” she worked as a ministerial advisor, policy analyst, and political staffer before entering Parliament. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science. Grigg has served in shadow portfolios including women, agriculture, and ACC. As Minister for Women, she oversees the Ministry for Women (ManatΕ« Wāhine), which focuses on women's economic independence, safety, and wellbeing β€” all of which have specific dimensions for older women. The gender pay gap translates directly into a retirement savings gap, meaning older women are more likely to experience poverty in retirement than older men. She has spoken about the importance of women's financial literacy, retirement savings, and economic security. --- ## Public Positions Relevant to Older New Zealanders | Policy Area | Stated Position / Activity | | -------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Older Women's Economic Security** | Portfolio focus on women's economic independence β€” older women are disproportionately poor in retirement due to lower lifetime earnings and KiwiSaver balances. | | **Gender Pay Gap β€” Retirement Impact** | The gender pay gap (approx. 9%) compounds throughout working life to produce a significant retirement savings gap β€” portfolio includes policy levers on pay transparency and equality. | | **Women's Health in Ageing** | Women's health portfolio β€” older women's health issues including menopause, osteoporosis, heart disease, and breast cancer screening access. | | **ACC for Older Women** | Associate ACC role β€” women have higher rates of ACC claims for certain injury types; older women at risk for falls and fractures. | | **Women's Retirement Savings** | KiwiSaver and retirement savings policy from a gender perspective β€” addressing the gap in retirement incomes between men and women. | | **Older Women and Housing** | Older women are one of the fastest-growing groups experiencing housing insecurity β€” portfolio intersects with housing policy. | | **Elder Abuse β€” Women** | Older women are disproportionately victims of elder abuse (both financial and physical) β€” women's safety policy cover. | | **Rural Women Seniors** | Associate Agriculture role β€” rural older women face distinct challenges: isolation, access to services, farm succession issues. | | **Carer Recognition** | Women are disproportionately unpaid carers for older family members β€” portfolio recognition of carer economic impact. | --- ## Voting & Bill Relevance - **Women's Economic Independence (Budget) Bills:** Budget appropriations for Ministry for Women programmes affecting older women. - **Equal Pay Amendment Bills:** Pay transparency and gender pay gap reporting β€” affects retirement savings outcomes for women. - **ACC Amendment Bills:** Associate ACC role β€” injury prevention and rehabilitation for older women. - **KiwiSaver Amendment Bills:** Retirement savings policy β€” gender dimensions. - **Social Security Amendment Bills:** Benefit settings affecting older women, including superannuation, sole parent support, and carers. --- ## Business Implications - **Financial Services (KiwiSaver Providers):** Retirement savings products targeting women β€” addressing the gender savings gap. - **Insurance Sector:** Health, life, and income protection insurance for older women. - **Women's Health Providers:** Health services targeting older women β€” menopause clinics, bone health, breast screening. - **Aged Care Providers:** Predominantly female aged care workforce and female resident population β€” workforce issues and service design. - **Housing Providers:** Housing solutions for older women experiencing housing insecurity. - **Carer Support Services:** Services supporting female family carers of older people. --- ## Campaign Relevance - **Selwyn Electorate:** Safe National seat (Canterbury) with a growing population including many families with older parents. Rural-urban mix. - **Women Voters:** Women are a key swing demographic β€” National needs to retain women voters concerned about cost of living and retirement security. - **Older Women's Vote:** Older women are reliable voters; their economic security is a campaign issue. - **Gender Equality Narrative:** Grigg can position National's record on women's economic security and retirement savings. - **2026 Election:** Pay equity, retirement savings for women, and older women's housing will feature in the campaign. --- ## Source List - Beehive.govt.nz β€” Women portfolio announcements, Associate ACC - Parliament.nz β€” MP profile _(Radware-blocked)_ - Ministry for Women (ManatΕ« Wāhine) β€” Gender pay gap data, older women's economic security reports - ACC β€” Injury prevention, falls prevention for older women - Official Hansard β€” Women estimates, ACC estimates, Question Time - New Zealand National Party β€” Women's policy - NZ Herald, RNZ β€” Women's issues and gender equity coverage --- _Profile last updated: June 2026_