# MP Profile: Hon Andrew Hoggard (ACT) **Profile Date:** 8 June 2026 **Party:** ACT New Zealand **Electorate:** List MP (contested Rangitīkei in 2023) **Title:** Honourable (Minister outside Cabinet) **Born:** 1974/1975 --- ## Current Roles | Role | Detail | | ------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Minister for Biosecurity** | Primary portfolio — biosecurity, border protection, pest/disease response | | **Minister for Food Safety** | Primary portfolio — food standards, labelling, food business regulation | | **Associate Minister of Agriculture** | Animal welfare, agricultural skills | | **Associate Minister for the Environment** | Environmental regulation, resource management | | **List MP** | Elected 2023, ranked 5th on ACT party list | | **Ministerial status** | Outside Cabinet | _Sources: Beehive.govt.nz biography; ACT New Zealand website; Parliament.nz_ --- ## Relevance Score: 🟢 LOW Andrew Hoggard holds four ministerial portfolios (Biosecurity, Food Safety, Associate Agriculture, Associate Environment), none of which directly touch aged care, NZ Super, retirement villages, health policy, housing, disability support, palliative care, or seniors policy. His ministerial work on food labelling (Health Star Ratings) and rural transport tangentially affects older consumers and rural seniors, but he has made no direct statements or taken specific policy positions on seniors issues. **Justification:** - No role in Health, Social Development, Housing, Seniors, or Disability portfolios - No select committee membership relevant to seniors (ministers generally do not serve on subject select committees) - No known statements on aged care, dementia, NZ Super, retirement villages, elder abuse, or carers - Rangitīkei electorate has a significant rural 65+ population, but as a List MP (not an electorate MP) this connection is indirect - His food safety work affects all consumers, including seniors, but is not seniors-specific --- ## Public Background ### Professional & Farming Career - Born and raised in Upper Hutt; studied **Agricultural Economics** at Massey University - Moved to Manawatū in 1998 to manage a 186-hectare dairy farm; later sharemilking 440 Holstein Friesians - Operates a family dairy farm in Kiwitea (north of Feilding) with ~540 cows, where he remains hands-on (including artificial insemination work on weekends) - Two-time **Young Farmer of the Year** finalist; won Taranaki–Manawatū title in 2003 - 18 years in Federated Farmers: National Dairy Chair (2014–2017), Vice-President (2017–2020), **National President** (2020–2023) - Represented New Zealand on the board of the **International Dairy Federation** (elected 2020) - Joined ACT in 2019; approached by the party late 2022, decided to stand by February 2023 - Elected to Parliament in the **2023 general election** as a list MP (ranked 5th) and ACT candidate for Rangitīkei - Appointed Minister outside Cabinet in December 2023 — described the speed of transition as "a privilege to have this level of responsibility so early" ### Key Transition — Lobbyist to Legislator Hoggard's move from Federated Farmers president to minister was unusually rapid (May to December 2023). He acknowledged the main learning curve was Parliamentary process, but noted he already knew most officials and industry players. His former role has drawn ongoing scrutiny about conflicts of interest, particularly in his animal welfare portfolio where he was criticised for prioritising industry interests. _Sources: Farmers Weekly (18 Dec 2023); ODT (27 Dec 2025); Stuff (9 May 2023); ACT website_ --- ## Public Positions Relevant to Older New Zealanders No clear public position found on seniors-specific issues (aged care, NZ Super, retirement villages, dementia, disability support, palliative care, elder abuse, carers). The table below captures the most tangentially relevant positions from his portfolios. | Issue | Position | Source | Date | | ----------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------- | | **Health Star Rating labelling** | Opposed mandatory Health Star Rating system on food labels; prefers voluntary uptake and digital labelling. Argued mandate would increase food prices through physical label changes. "Fundamentally, we're not a Government that's looking to increase more regulations." | [1News — Health Star Ratings Mandate](https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/02/26/health-star-ratings-mandate-will-nz-fall-into-line/) | 26 Feb 2026 | | **Rural transport / school buses** | Proposed an "Open Seat Rule" so any child along a school bus route can use spare seats regardless of which school they attend — aimed at reducing costs for rural families. Not seniors-specific but affects rural communities with ageing populations. | [ACT — Let the Kid on the Bus](https://www.act.org.nz/news/let-the-kid-on-the-bus-act-commitment-for-rural-families) | 5 May 2026 | | **Food affordability / regulation** | General position of reducing regulatory burden to lower costs. Argued against mandatory labelling partly on cost-to-consumer grounds. Supports digital labelling as a cheaper alternative. | [1News](https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/02/26/health-star-ratings-mandate-will-nz-fall-into-line/) | 26 Feb 2026 | | **Animal welfare regulation** | Extended use of farrowing crates for pigs, overruling independent advisory body (NAWAC). Relevance to seniors: low direct relevance, but demonstrates regulatory philosophy favouring industry over consumer/advocacy groups. | [RNZ — Pig Welfare Reforms](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/in-depth/576140/govt-s-independent-animal-welfare-experts-disagreed-with-pig-welfare-reforms) | Oct 2025 | | **Resource management reform** | Strong advocate for replacing RMA with system that respects property rights and reduces consent costs. Affects rural landowners including older farmers. | [ODT](https://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/act-minister-remains-hands-out-farm) | 27 Dec 2025 | ### Campaign Commitments (ACT Party, 2026 election) - **Open Seat Rule** for rural school transport (cost-saving for rural families) - **Resource management reform** — replacing RMA with property-rights-respecting system - **Regulatory reduction** across agriculture, food safety, and environment - **Split-vote pitch** to rural voters: local MP for National, party vote for ACT - No campaign commitments identified on seniors-specific policies _Source: ACT website; ODT (27 Dec 2025)_ --- ## Parliamentary Activity ### Bills Sponsored or Managed | Bill | Type | Status | Role | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ---------------- | | **Animal Welfare (Regulations for Management of Pigs) Amendment Bill** (No 207-1) | Government Bill | Introduced 30 Sep 2025; second reading agreed 9 Dec 2025; select committee stage completed | Member in charge | ### Select Committee Engagement - As a minister, appears before select committees in portfolio areas (Primary Production, Environment, etc.) to answer scrutiny questions - Not a member of any subject select committee (ministerial convention) - Engaged with **Primary Production Select Committee** on pig welfare regulations - Government response to Petitions Committee report on virtual fencing inquiry presented by Hoggard ### Oral & Written Questions - Regularly answers oral questions in Parliament on biosecurity, food safety, animal welfare, and environment matters - Written questions addressed to him cover his portfolio areas - No identified oral questions or statements on aged care, health, housing, seniors, or disability ### Maiden Speech - Delivered **1 February 2024** (54th Parliament) - Thematic focus: farmer confidence, regulatory burden, fresh water reform failures, ACT's alternative approach - Key line: _"New Zealand farmers feed 40 million people around the world. They are the epitome of change."_ _Sources: Parliament.nz bills database; Hansard; Parliament.nz maiden speeches page_ --- ## Declared Interests (Register of Pecuniary Interests) ### Real Property | Property | Location | Type | | ----------- | ----------------- | ---------- | | Family farm | Kiwitea, Manawatū | Dairy farm | ### Trusts | Trust | Role | | ------------------------ | ----------- | | A&A Hoggard Family Trust | Beneficiary | ### Companies and Business Entities (2025 return) | Entity | Interest | | --------------------------------- | ----------------------- | | The Warehouse Group Limited | Shareholder (retail) | | Australian Wealth Management | Shareholder (insurance) | | Oxford Square Capital Corporation | Shareholder | ### Managed Investment Schemes (2025) | Scheme | Description | | ------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------- | | Australian Wealth Management — Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF | Equity investment | | SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust | US equity investment | | T&G Global — Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF | US equity investment | | Goldman Sachs BDC Incorporated | Business development company | | T&G Global — Pathfinder Global Property Fund | Property investment | | PMG Generation Fund | Managed fund | ### Retirement Schemes | Scheme | Type | | ------------------- | ------------------ | | Sharesies KiwiSaver | Retirement savings | ### Former Directorships (2024 return, not listed in 2025) | Entity | Role | | ------------------------ | ------------------------ | | Hoggard Holdings Limited | Director — dairy farming | ### Charitable Trust Roles (current) | Trust | Role | | --------------------------------------- | ---------------- | | Kerry and Marilyn Hoggard Foundation | Trustee | | Youth in Transition Charitable Trust | Trustee/Chairman | | Adverse Events Trust | Trustee | | The Farmers Adverse Events Trust | Trustee | | New Zealand Landcare Trust | Trustee | | New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards Trust | Trustee | ### Potential Conflicts of Interest (noted in media) - **Sister: Kimberly Crewther** — Executive Director, Dairy Companies Association of NZ (DCANZ). Emailed Hoggard's office opposing proposed trans-Tasman infant formula standards (later dropped). Hoggard declared conflict of interest in Dec 2023 regarding his sister and brother. - **Brother: Chad Hoggard** — Employed by a dairy company - **Former role:** Federated Farmers President (2020–2023) — former farming lobbyist now regulating the sector - SAFE animal rights organisation called for Hoggard's removal from animal welfare portfolio citing conflicts of interest (Nov 2025) - Prime Minister Luxon confirmed Hoggard had assured his office he was following Cabinet Manual guidance on conflicts ### Salary & Expenses | Year | Role | Salary Band | Total Expenses | | ---- | ------------------ | ----------- | -------------- | | 2025 | Minister (Cabinet) | $316,100 | Data pending | | 2024 | Minister (Cabinet) | $310,000 | $91,540 | | 2023 | Minister (Cabinet) | $304,000 | $4,231 | _Sources: PublicData NZ; Parliament.nz Register of Pecuniary Interests (summary as at 31 Jan 2025); NZ Herald/RNZ conflict-of-interest investigation_ --- ## Business-Decision Implications ### Direct Relevance - **Food safety regulation:** Hoggard makes decisions on food labelling, food business verification, and food standards that affect food retailers, processors, and importers/exporters. His preference for voluntary over mandatory systems (Health Star Ratings) signals a deregulatory approach. - **Biosecurity policy:** Decisions on border fees, biosecurity levies, pest/disease responses affect logistics, primary sector, and supply chains. - **Environmental regulation:** As Associate Environment Minister, involved in freshwater farm plans, carbon markets, and resource management reform. ### Indirect Relevance to Seniors Sector - No direct portfolio responsibility for aged care, health, housing, or retirement village regulation - No declared interests in health, aged care, retirement village, or disability service companies - His deregulatory philosophy (reducing compliance costs) could affect aged care regulation indirectly if applied cross-government, but he has no role in that portfolio - Food safety decisions (e.g., Health Star Ratings) affect all consumers including seniors ### Risk Factors - **Conflict of interest scrutiny** — his family connections to the dairy industry and his former role as Federated Farmers president create ongoing reputational risk for any portfolio decisions favouring industry - **Animal welfare controversy** — the pig farrowing crate legislation and override of NAWAC advice has drawn criticism and could resurface --- ## Campaign Relevance 2026 is an election year. Hoggard is campaigning on: - Retaining his list seat (ranked 5th on ACT list) - Encouraging split voting (local National MP, party vote ACT) in rural electorates - Promoting ACT's record on resource management reform, regulatory reduction, and rural advocacy - "Open Seat Rule" for school transport as a tangible rural cost-of-living policy **For older voters:** Hoggard has no specific seniors campaign. His rural-focused platform may resonate with older rural voters concerned about regulation, compliance costs, and cost of living, but he has not targeted seniors-specific issues. ACT's broader platform (tax cuts, reduced regulation, cost of living) aligns with general National/ACT coalition positioning. --- ## Monitoring Terms For alerts and ongoing tracking, monitor for: | Term | Justification | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------- | | Andrew Hoggard seniors | Any future engagement with seniors issues | | Andrew Hoggard food safety + aged | Food safety for vulnerable populations | | Andrew Hoggard rural health | Rural health policy affecting older farmers | | Andrew Hoggard Health Star Rating | Consumer health labelling affecting seniors | | Hoggard + "aged care" OR "dementia" OR "retirement" OR "superannuation" | Direct relevance to KB scope | | Hoggard conflicts of interest | Ongoing reputational risk | | SAFE vs Hoggard | Animal welfare controversy may broaden | --- ## Source List | # | Source | URL | Date Accessed | | --- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------- | | 1 | Beehive.govt.nz — Minister Biography: Hon Andrew Hoggard | https://www.beehive.govt.nz/minister/biography/andrew-hoggard | 8 Jun 2026 | | 2 | ACT New Zealand — Andrew Hoggard page | https://www.act.org.nz/people/andrew-hoggard | 8 Jun 2026 | | 3 | Parliament.nz — MP page (Hoggard) | https://www3.parliament.nz/en/mps-and-electorates/members-of-parliament/hoggard-andrew/ | 8 Jun 2026 | | 4 | Parliament.nz — Maiden Speeches (54th Parliament) | https://www3.parliament.nz/en/get-involved/features/maiden-speeches-and-statements-in-new-zealand-s-54th-parliament/ | 8 Jun 2026 | | 5 | Parliament.nz — Register of Pecuniary Interests (summary as at 31 Jan 2025) | https://www3.parliament.nz/media/11765/register-of-pecuniary-and-other-specified-interests-of-members-of-parliament-summary-of-annual-returns-as-at-31-january-2025.pdf | 8 Jun 2026 | | 6 | PublicData NZ — Andrew Hoggard profile | https://publicdata.co.nz/public-sector-people/andrew-hoggard | 8 Jun 2026 | | 7 | 1News — Health Star Ratings Mandate (Sophie Trigger) | https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/02/26/health-star-ratings-mandate-will-nz-fall-into-line/ | 8 Jun 2026 | | 8 | ACT — "Let the Kid on the Bus" press release | https://www.act.org.nz/news/let-the-kid-on-the-bus-act-commitment-for-rural-families | 8 Jun 2026 | | 9 | ACT — "Real Change Now" Speech (Andrew Hoggard) | https://www.act.org.nz/news/real-change-now-speech-andrew-hoggard | 8 Jun 2026 | | 10 | ODT — "Act minister remains hands-on out on the farm" (Mike Houlahan) | https://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/act-minister-remains-hands-out-farm | 8 Jun 2026 | | 11 | Farmers Weekly — "Hoggard at work to make farmers' lives easier" (Neal Wallace) | https://www.farmersweekly.co.nz/politics/hoggard-at-work-to-make-farmers-lives-easier/ | 8 Jun 2026 | | 12 | RNZ — "Govt's independent animal welfare experts disagreed with pig welfare reforms" | https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/in-depth/576140/govt-s-independent-animal-welfare-experts-disagreed-with-pig-welfare-reforms | 8 Jun 2026 | | 13 | The Post/RNZ — "Minister Andrew Hoggard assures PM he's following Cabinet rules" | https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360897154/minister-andrew-hoggard-assures-pm-hes-following-cabinet-rules-after-complaint | 8 Jun 2026 | | 14 | NZ Herald/RNZ — "Minister Andrew Hoggard's sister lobbied him opposing tougher baby formula rules" | https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/minister-andrew-hoggards-sister-lobbied-him-opposing-tougher-baby-formula-rules/V6CY22UXYJBVDOOTOCJV3I7BQM/ | 8 Jun 2026 | | 15 | Stuff — "From Fed Farmers to ACT Party: Andrew Hoggard goes into politics" | https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/300873696/from-fed-farmers-to-act-party-andrew-hoggard-goes-into-politics | 8 Jun 2026 | | 16 | Parliament.nz — Animal Welfare (Regulations for Management of Pigs) Amendment Bill | https://bills.parliament.nz/v/6/648fdd9d-9331-43b1-c811-08de009746d1?lang=en&Tab=history | 8 Jun 2026 | | 17 | Beehive.govt.nz — Hon Andrew Hoggard releases page | https://www.beehive.govt.nz/minister/hon-andrew-hoggard | 8 Jun 2026 | | 18 | SAFE — "SAFE calls for removal of Andrew Hoggard from animal welfare role" | https://safe.org.nz/news/safe-calls-for-removal-of-andrew-hoggard-from-animal-welfare-role/ | 8 Jun 2026 | | 19 | BusinessDesk — "Act securing Andrew Hoggard an 'absolute coup'" | https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/primary-sector/act-securing-andrew-hoggard-an-absolute-coup | 8 Jun 2026 | | 20 | Ministry for Primary Industries — Government response to Petitions Committee on virtual fencing | https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/70382-Government-Response-to-the-Petitions-Committee-Report-on-the-Petition-of-Rhodes-Farming-Partnership-Undertake-a-Parliamentary-Inquiry-into-Virtual-Fencing-Cabinet-minute-LEG-25-MIN-0122 | 8 Jun 2026 | --- _Profile compiled by automated MP Cron Job on 8 June 2026. All factual claims sourced from publicly available material. No private personal details included. No opinion or advocacy content._