# 2026 MP Profile — Hon Kieran McAnulty — Labour **Profile created:** 9 June 2026 **Parliament:** 54th New Zealand Parliament (2023–2026) **Party:** New Zealand Labour Party **Electorate:** List MP (formerly MP for Wairarapa 2020–2023) **List rank (2026):** 10th (down from 7th in 2023) **Honorific:** The Honourable (retained for life, Dec 2023) --- ## CURRENT ROLES | Role | Details | | ------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | **Shadow Leader of the House** | Since 30 November 2023 — manages Labour's parliamentary strategy, question time allocation, and debating schedule | | **Spokesperson for Housing** | Opposition housing lead — primary point of contact on social housing, Kāinga Ora, homelessness, and housing policy | | **Spokesperson for Infrastructure** | Opposition infrastructure lead — roads, rail, water infrastructure, public investment | | **Spokesperson for Public Investment** | Cross-portfolio oversight of government capital spending | | **Member of the House of Representatives** | List MP, Labour Party | **Former ministerial roles (Sixth Labour Government):** - Minister of Local Government (Feb–Nov 2023) - Minister for Emergency Management (Jun 2022–Nov 2023) - Minister for Racing (Jun 2022–Nov 2023) - Minister for Rural Communities (Feb–Nov 2023) - Minister for Regional Development (Jul–Nov 2023) - Deputy Leader of the House (Feb–Nov 2023) - Chief Government Whip (Nov 2020–Jun 2022) _Sources:_ - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kieran_McAnulty (accessed 9 Jun 2026) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadow_Cabinet_of_Chris_Hipkins (accessed 9 Jun 2026) - https://www.labour.org.nz/our-team/hon-kieran-mcanulty/ (accessed 9 Jun 2026) --- ## RELEVANCE SCORE: 🟡 MEDIUM ### Rationale McAnulty is the Labour **Shadow Leader of the House** and **Housing/Infrastructure spokesperson**, not a direct seniors portfolio holder. However, housing is the single biggest cost-of-living issue for older New Zealanders, and his portfolios carry high relevance: - **Housing portfolio** — directly touches social housing (used by many older New Zealanders on low incomes), Kāinga Ora, public housing supply, Accommodation Supplement policy - **Infrastructure portfolio** — covers rural health infrastructure, transport access for older people in provincial areas (Wairarapa rail, roading) - **Wairarapa base** — electorate (2020–2023) has a significant 65+ population, and McAnulty continues to advocate for local health services (dialysis petition, school-based nurses) - **Former Rural Communities Minister** — understands rural ageing demographics - **NO direct spokesperson role** for Seniors, Health, Social Development, or Disability Issues — those are held by Ayesha Verrall (Health), Willow-Jean Prime (Social Development), and Priyanca Radhakrishnan (Disability) --- ## PUBLIC BACKGROUND | Detail | Information | | ------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Born** | 1985, Eketāhuna, New Zealand | | **Education** | Chanel College (head boy 2002); University of Otago (BA, PGDipArts, MA in Politics — thesis on 2008 election campaign positioning) | | **Pre-parliament career** | Work and Income case manager; TAB bookmaker (7 years); economic development manager at Masterton District Council; volunteer firefighter | | **Family** | Married Gia Garrick (former Prime Minister's press secretary) in January 2024; previously married to Suzanne McNally (2011–2018, divorced) | | **First elected** | 23 September 2017 (list MP, ranked 38); contested Wairarapa 2014 and 2017; won Wairarapa seat 2020; lost it 2023 | | **Notable achievements** | Declared first national state of emergency for Cyclone Gabrielle (Feb 2023); led Three Waters reset (renamed Water Services Reform Programme); passed private member's bill easing alcohol restrictions on Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Anzac Day morning, and Christmas Day (Apr 2026) | _Sources:_ - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kieran_McAnulty (accessed 9 Jun 2026) - https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/kieran-mcanulty-why-the-wairarapa-mp-is-rural-to-the-core/SVEH6NYJJZHJNFPGBO4CSZF7PU/ (accessed 9 Jun 2026) - https://www.labour.org.nz/our-team/hon-kieran-mcanulty/ (accessed 9 Jun 2026) --- ## PUBLIC POSITIONS RELEVANT TO OLDER NEW ZEALANDERS | Issue | Position | Source | Date | | -------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ----------- | | **Social housing rent increase (Budget 2026)** | Strongly opposed the government's increase from 25% to 30% of income for income-related rent. Called it "cruel," compared to Ruth Richardson's 1990s reforms: "A whole generation of New Zealanders paid the price... National is dragging the country backwards." | Newsroom — https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/05/21/social-housing-tenants-face-rent-hike-as-part-of-govt-shakeup/; 1News — https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/05/21/willis-regrets-saying-those-in-social-housing-had-won-the-lotto/ | 21 May 2026 | | **Social housing rent hike and vulnerable people** | Accused government of "trying to balance the books on the backs of people already doing it tough." Noted social housing tenants include older New Zealanders, disabled people, and beneficiaries. | 1News — https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/05/21/willis-regrets-saying-those-in-social-housing-had-won-the-lotto/ | 21 May 2026 | | **NZ Superannuation age** | McAnulty has promoted Labour's commitment to keeping NZ Super at age 65. In a Labour video with Chris Hipkins, he stated keeping super at 65 is a "great deal, only $1,300 more than you would get under National's plan." | Facebook (Duncan Webb Labour page) — https://www.facebook.com/DuncanWebbLabour/posts/watch-pm-chris-hipkins-on-why-labour-keeping-super-at-age-65-we-cant-keep-hangin/649784856967512/ | 2025 | | **Public housing supply** | Regularly criticised government for failing to deliver promised social housing. Stated only 192 of 2,050 promised homes built in first two years. Housing shortages disproportionately affect older renters. | Labour Party release — https://www.labour.org.nz/news/release-minister-breaks-budget-promise-on-housing/ | 3 Dec 2025 | | **Kāinga Ora asset sales** | Opposed government plans to transfer state housing to other providers. Accused government of "dismantling" NZ's state housing assets. Affects older social housing tenants' security of tenure. | Scoop — https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA2407/S00025/statement-from-labour-housing-spokesperson-kieran-mcanulty.htm | 3 Jul 2024 | | **Wairarapa dialysis services** | Teamed with Sir Ross Taylor to launch a petition calling for dialysis treatment at Wairarapa Hospital. Directly relevant to older people with kidney disease who must travel to Wellington for treatment. | Change.org — https://www.change.org/p/provide-dialysis-treatment-at-wairarapa-hospital; Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/p/DVzMSlDkmXq/ | Mar 2026 | | **Wairarapa school-based nurses** | Advocated against funding cuts to school-based nurses. While focused on youth, connects to broader health service provision in provincial areas serving all ages. | Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/McAnultyLabour/posts/wairarapa-school-based-nurses-have-had-their-funding-cut-in-half-this-is-a-vital/1355415043063273/ | 2025 | | **Rest home / aged care visitation** | Visited Carter Court rest home in Carterton (2018). Posted about learning about challenges facing aged care residents and their families. | Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/McAnultyLabour/posts/i-learnt-a-lot-when-visiting-carter-court-rest-home-in-carterton-i-learnt-more-a/1390428117767211/ | 16 Jul 2018 | | **Emergency housing and domestic violence** | Quoted Women's Refuge data in Parliament about increasing difficulty accessing emergency housing. Emergency housing demand includes older women fleeing domestic violence. | Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLUFvHcy5uz/; Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/NZLabourParty/posts/must-watch-national-are-left-speechless-by-labour-mp-kieran-mcanulty-quoting-the/1290078429154850/ | 2025 | --- ## PARLIAMENTARY ACTIVITY ### Member's Bill - **Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Sales on Anzac Day Morning, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Christmas Day) Amendment Bill** (Bill 123-3) - Passed third reading 66–56 on 1 April 2026; received Royal Assent 2 April 2026 - Allows premises already open on restricted days to serve alcohol under normal licence conditions (excluding bottle shops/supermarkets) - Conscience vote; supported by ACT and most National; opposed by NZ First, Greens, some Labour _Source:_ RNZ — https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/591281/bill-to-ease-holiday-alcohol-restrictions-passes-final-reading-in-parliament (accessed 9 Jun 2026) ### Oral Questions (2025–2026, selected) | Date | Question to | Topic | | ----------- | ---------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 5 Mar 2026 | Minister of Housing (Chris Bishop) | Whether he stands by statement "there are 7,000 more social houses in the country"; how many are new builds | | 18 Feb 2026 | Minister for Infrastructure | Whether he stands by statements following Infrastructure Commission's report | | 11 Mar 2026 | Mental Health portfolio | Interjected and was ordered to withdraw and apologise during question time | _Sources:_ - https://podcasts.apple.com/eg/podcast/oral-questions-for-thursday-5-march-2026/id208013359?i=1000753156580 (accessed 9 Jun 2026) - https://www.rnz.co.nz/programmes/parliament/story/2019023565/oral-questions-for-18-february-2026 (accessed 9 Jun 2026) - https://community.scoop.co.nz/2026/04/oral-questions-questions-to-ministers-sitting-date-11-march-2026/ (accessed 9 Jun 2026) ### Written Questions McAnulty is an active user of written parliamentary questions, particularly to Ministers of Housing, Infrastructure, and Local Government. Specific questions are searchable via Parliament's written questions database but individual questions are not indexed individually in this profile. _Source:_ https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/order-paper-questions/written-questions/all/ (accessed 9 Jun 2026) ### Select Committees As Shadow Leader of the House, McAnulty does not hold a substantive select committee membership in the 54th Parliament (the role is focused on House business management rather than committee work). He would appear before select committees as a witness when required. _Source:_ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/54th_New_Zealand_Parliament (accessed 9 Jun 2026) --- ## DECLARED INTERESTS (Register of Pecuniary Interests) From the **2025 register year** (most recent available), Kieran McAnulty declared: | Category | Details | | ------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Real Property** | Family home (jointly owned) — Masterton; Flat (jointly owned) — Lower Hutt | | **Debts** | ASB Bank mortgage; Westpac Bank mortgage | | **Managed Investment Schemes** | Milford Managed Investment Fund | | **Retirement Schemes** | Milford KiwiSaver; Go the Bush private superannuation scheme | | **Charitable trusteeships** | Masterton Licensing (Charitable) Trust | ### Analysis for relevance to seniors/health/aged care: - **Property interests** — Owns a rental flat in Lower Hutt; received accommodation allowance to rent it from his wife (reported NZ$36,400/year in 2024). Public commentary noted this arrangement (Stuff, June 2024). - **No declared interests** in health, aged care, retirement village, hospital, or disability service entities. - **Retirement scheme** — "Go the Bush" private superannuation scheme (named after the Wairarapa-Bush rugby team). - **No directorships** in health providers, PHARMAC, DHBs, or aged care companies. _Sources:_ - https://publicdata.co.nz/public-sector-people/kieran-mcanulty (accessed 9 Jun 2026) - https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360983999/set-independent-authority-mps-defend-their-pay-and-perks-government-tightens-belt (accessed 9 Jun 2026) --- ## BUSINESS-DECISION IMPLICATIONS | Factor | Implication | | -------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Housing spokesperson** | Will continue to scrutinise government housing policy including social housing changes. Retirement village operators and aged care providers with housing components should monitor his statements on tenure security and affordability. | | **Infrastructure spokesperson** | Advocates for public investment in water, transport, and regional infrastructure — affects construction, development, and retirement village consenting. | | **List MP ranked 10th** | Highly likely to return after 2026 election (Labour projected ~44 seats). High likelihood of holding housing/infrastructure front bench in a future Labour government. | | **Wairarapa focus** | Constantly advocates for regional health services and transport. Aged care providers in Wairarapa/Tararua/Central Hawke's Bay should be aware of his constituency work. | | **No direct health/seniors portfolio** | Less direct influence on aged care regulation, health funding, or seniors policy than Health or Seniors spokespersons. Influence is indirect via housing and infrastructure lenses. | --- ## CAMPAIGN RELEVANCE - **2026 election:** Ranked 10th on Labour's party list (down from 7th in 2023). Under current polling (RNZ-Reid Research, June 2026), Labour would win ~44 seats, securing McAnulty's return. - **No electorate contest:** McAnulty is a list-only MP for 2026 — he does not have an electorate campaign (lost Wairarapa to National's Mike Butterick in 2023 and did not regain the candidacy). - **Housing campaign focus:** McAnulty leads Labour's attack on National's social housing changes (rent increases, duration limits) — a key election battleground that directly affects older social housing tenants. - **Retirement age positioning:** McAnulty has been deployed in Labour's messaging about keeping NZ Super age at 65, differentiating Labour from National's policy to raise the age to 67. --- ## MONITORING TERMS For automated news tracking, the following search terms are recommended: - `"Kieran McAnulty"` + `housing` - `"Kieran McAnulty"` + `social housing` - `"Kieran McAnulty"` + `infrastructure` - `"Kieran McAnulty"` + `superannuation` - `"Kieran McAnulty"` + `aged` OR `senior` OR `retirement` - `"Kieran McAnulty"` + `Wairarapa` - `McAnultyLabour` (Facebook account) - `Kieran_McAnulty` (X/Twitter account) --- ## SOURCE LIST | # | Source | URL | Date Accessed | | --- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------- | | 1 | NZ Parliament — MPs page (blocked by Radware) | https://www.parliament.nz/en/mps-and-electorates/members-of-parliament/mcanulty-kieran/ | 9 Jun 2026 | | 2 | Labour Party — Hon Kieran McAnulty profile | https://www.labour.org.nz/our-team/hon-kieran-mcanulty/ | 9 Jun 2026 | | 3 | Wikipedia — Kieran McAnulty | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kieran_McAnulty | 9 Jun 2026 | | 4 | Wikipedia — Shadow Cabinet of Chris Hipkins | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadow_Cabinet_of_Chris_Hipkins | 9 Jun 2026 | | 5 | Wikipedia — 54th New Zealand Parliament | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/54th_New_Zealand_Parliament | 9 Jun 2026 | | 6 | PublicData NZ — Kieran McAnulty (salary, expenses, interests) | https://publicdata.co.nz/public-sector-people/kieran-mcanulty | 9 Jun 2026 | | 7 | Beehive.govt.nz — Hon Kieran McAnulty (ministerial releases) | https://www.beehive.govt.nz/minister/hon-kieran-mcanulty | 9 Jun 2026 | | 8 | NZ Herald — "Kieran McAnulty: Why the Wairarapa MP is rural to the core" | https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/kieran-mcanulty-why-the-wairarapa-mp-is-rural-to-the-core/SVEH6NYJJZHJNFPGBO4CSZF7PU/ | 9 Jun 2026 | | 9 | RNZ — "Bill to ease holiday alcohol restrictions passes" | https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/591281/bill-to-ease-holiday-alcohol-restrictions-passes-final-reading-in-parliament | 9 Jun 2026 | | 10 | Newsroom — "Social housing tenants face rent hike" | https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/05/21/social-housing-tenants-face-rent-hike-as-part-of-govt-shakeup/ | 9 Jun 2026 | | 11 | 1News — "Willis regrets saying those in social housing had 'won the lotto'" | https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/05/21/willis-regrets-saying-those-in-social-housing-had-won-the-lotto/ | 9 Jun 2026 | | 12 | Labour Party release — "Minister breaks Budget promise on housing" | https://www.labour.org.nz/news/release-minister-breaks-budget-promise-on-housing/ | 9 Jun 2026 | | 13 | Scoop — Labour housing spokesperson statement (July 2024) | https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA2407/S00025/statement-from-labour-housing-spokesperson-kieran-mcanulty.htm | 9 Jun 2026 | | 14 | Labour Party release — Housing statement (July 2024) | https://www.labour.org.nz/news/release-statement-from-labour-housing-spokesperson-kieran-mcanulty/ | 9 Jun 2026 | | 15 | RNZ — "Who's in, who's out? Labour unveils list for November election" | https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/597538/who-s-in-who-s-out-labour-unveils-list-for-november-election | 9 Jun 2026 | | 16 | Change.org — Petition: Provide dialysis treatment at Wairarapa Hospital | https://www.change.org/p/provide-dialysis-treatment-at-wairarapa-hospital | 9 Jun 2026 | | 17 | Facebook — Kieran McAnulty MP post: Carter Court rest home visit | https://www.facebook.com/McAnultyLabour/posts/i-learnt-a-lot-when-visiting-carter-court-rest-home-in-carterton-i-learnt-more-a/1390428117767211/ | 9 Jun 2026 | | 18 | Facebook — NZ Labour Party: McAnulty quoting Women's Refuge | https://www.facebook.com/NZLabourParty/posts/must-watch-national-are-left-speechless-by-labour-mp-kieran-mcanulty-quoting-the/1290078429154850/ | 9 Jun 2026 | | 19 | Facebook — Duncan Webb Labour: Super at 65 video | https://www.facebook.com/DuncanWebbLabour/posts/watch-pm-chris-hipkins-on-why-labour-keeping-super-at-age-65-we-cant-keep-hangin/649784856967512/ | 9 Jun 2026 | | 20 | Stuff — "Minister defends claiming $1000 accommodation allowance" | https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360983999/set-independent-authority-mps-defend-their-pay-and-perks-government-tightens-belt | 9 Jun 2026 | | 21 | Oral Questions — 5 March 2026 (Apple Podcasts) | https://podcasts.apple.com/eg/podcast/oral-questions-for-thursday-5-march-2026/id208013359?i=1000753156580 | 9 Jun 2026 | | 22 | RNZ — Oral Questions for 18 February 2026 | https://www.rnz.co.nz/programmes/parliament/story/2019023565/oral-questions-for-18-february-2026 | 9 Jun 2026 | | 23 | The Post — "Government's proposals could cost ratepayers more: McAnulty" | https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360924188/governments-proposals-could-cost-ratepayers-more-mcanulty | 9 Jun 2026 | --- ## NOTES - **Parliament.nz blocked:** The official Parliament profile page was inaccessible due to Radware DDoS protection. All role information was cross-referenced from Wikipedia, Labour Party website, and PublicData NZ. - **No specific seniors portfolio:** McAnulty does not hold a seniors/health/aged care portfolio. His relevance to older New Zealanders is primarily through housing policy (social housing, affordability) and his constituency advocacy in Wairarapa. - **No declared aged care interests:** McAnulty's pecuniary interests register shows no direct involvement in aged care, retirement village, health, or disability service entities. - **Active social media user:** He maintains a very active Facebook presence (@McAnultyLabour) and posts regularly from Parliament and his Wairarapa constituency office. - **Wairarapa dialysis petition:** This is arguably his most direct seniors-related initiative in 2025–2026, addressing a critical health access gap affecting older people with kidney disease in his region.