# 2026 MP Profile — Hon Todd McClay (National) | Field | Detail | | ------------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Full name** | Hon Todd Michael McClay | | **Electorate** | Rotorua (since 2008) | | **Party** | New Zealand National Party | | **Current roles** | Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Forestry, Minister for Trade and Investment, Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs | | **Previous ministerial roles** | Minister of Revenue (2013–2015), Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (2014–2017), Minister of Trade (2015–2017), Associate Minister of Health (2013–2014), Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs (2014–2017), Associate Minister of Tourism | | **Parliament elected** | 49th, 50th, 51st, 52nd, 53rd, 54th Parliaments (first elected 8 Nov 2008) | | **Select committees (past)** | Chair — Finance and Expenditure Committee; Chair — Commerce Committee; Deputy Chair — Social Services Committee; Member — Law and Order, Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade, Primary Industries | | **2023 majority** | 8,923 votes (highest in Rotorua history) | | **Relevance to older NZers** | 🟡 **MEDIUM** — Cabinet minister in non-seniors portfolios; former Associate Minister of Health (2013–2014) with aged-care responsibilities; opened a major older-persons health facility; attended opening of NZ's first De Hogeweyk-model dementia village in his electorate; Rotorua has a significant 65+ population and rural ageing demographic | --- ## Current Roles (54th Parliament) | Role | Type | Notes | | ----------------------------------------- | ------------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Minister of Agriculture** | Cabinet | Primary portfolio covering farming, biosecurity, food safety, primary sector productivity | | **Minister of Forestry** | Cabinet | Forestry policy, ETS forestry credits, climate mitigation in land use | | **Minister for Trade and Investment** | Cabinet | NZ's first designated Minister for Foreign Direct Investment; led NZ–India FTA (2026), NZ–UAE FTA (2025), NZ–GCC FTA (2024) | | **Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs** | Minister outside Cabinet | Supports Foreign Minister Winston Peters | | **MP for Rotorua** | Electorate | Offices in Rotorua and Te Puke | _Sources:_ [Beehive biography](https://www.beehive.govt.nz/minister/biography/todd-mcclay-0) accessed 8 Jun 2026; [National Party profile](https://www.national.org.nz/team/toddmcclay) accessed 8 Jun 2026; [DPMC Ministerial List](https://www.dpmc.govt.nz/our-business-units/cabinet-office/ministers-and-their-portfolios/ministerial-list) accessed 8 Jun 2026. --- ## Relevance Score & Explanation **🟡 MEDIUM — Relevance to older New Zealanders** **Rationale:** 1. **Cabinet minister (non-seniors portfolios):** McClay holds major economic portfolios (Agriculture, Trade, Forestry) that do not directly touch seniors policy. However, the _Better Later Life Action Plan_, _NZ Super_, _aged residential care_, and _retirement village regulation_ sit with other ministers (Casey Costello — Seniors; Simeon Brown — Health). 2. **Former Associate Minister of Health (2013–2014):** In the Fifth National Government, McClay was Associate Minister of Health with responsibility for mental health. He delivered a speech on behalf of Jo Goodhew opening the **Waikato DHB Older Persons and Rehabilitation Building** (21 Jun 2013) — demonstrating direct involvement with aged-care infrastructure and older-person health policy. 3. **Electorate-level aged care engagement:** As Rotorua MP, McClay officially opened the **CARE Village in Ngongotaha** (2019), New Zealand's first dementia-care village based on the Dutch De Hogeweyk model. He described it as "world-leading" care for seniors. 4. **Rotorua demographics:** Rotorua electorate includes both urban and significant rural/ageing populations. Many older farmers and rural residents fall within his portfolio responsibilities for Agriculture and Rural Communities. 5. **Emergency housing advocacy:** McClay has been a leading local voice calling for an end to emergency housing motels in Rotorua, an issue that disproportionately affects older people in housing stress and those on fixed incomes (NZ Super). _Scoring criteria consulted:_ 🔴 HIGH would require direct seniors portfolio (e.g., Minister for Seniors, Health, Social Development, Disability Issues, Housing). 🟡 MEDIUM applies to ministers whose electorate or past portfolios provide connection to seniors issues without direct policy control. --- ## Public Background **Early life and education:** Born 22 Nov 1968, Rotorua. Attended Tauhara College (Taupō) and Wesley College (Auckland). Holds a Bachelor of Arts in Politics from Wellington Polytechnic. Father, Roger McClay, was a former National MP. **Diplomatic career:** Before entering Parliament, McClay served as Head of Staff to Lord Plumb (President of the European Parliament). He founded and ran Political Relationship Management Ltd (a government affairs/lobbying consultancy). In 2002 he became the **Cook Islands and Niue Ambassador to the European Union** — the youngest-ever head of mission to the EU and the Cook Islands' first accredited diplomat outside the Pacific. Represented Cook Islands at WTO, FAO, UN, ACP and EU meetings. **Parliamentary career:** First elected 2008, winning Rotorua from Labour with a 5,065-vote majority. Re-elected six consecutive terms. Passed the Prohibition of Gang Insignia in Government Premises Act 2013 as a member's bill. Served as Minister of Revenue (2013–2015), Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (2014–2017), Minister of Trade (2015–2017). During the 2017–2020 opposition term, served as Shadow Minister for Trade and Economic Development. Following the 2023 election, appointed to Cabinet as Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Trade and Investment, Hunting and Fishing, and Associate Foreign Affairs. No longer holds Hunting and Fishing. **Notable controversies:** Removed from Parliament (2020) by Speaker Trevor Mallard after questioning Health Minister Andrew Little about ICU bed capacity at Lakes DHB. In July 2024, forced to withdraw a remark to Green MP Ricardo Menéndez March ("you're not in Mexico now, we don't do things like that here"), which PM Luxon called "inappropriate." In 2017, referred to Xinjiang internment camps as "vocational training centers," drawing criticism for using Chinese government talking points. _Sources:_ [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Todd_McClay) accessed 8 Jun 2026; [NZ Herald — ordered to leave Parliament](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/rotorua-mp-todd-mcclay-ordered-to-leave-parliament-after-quizzing-health-minister/YR2ED77ZIYTP7F6DZVHV3N3UFI/) accessed 8 Jun 2026; [Beehive biography](https://www.beehive.govt.nz/minister/biography/todd-mcclay-0) accessed 8 Jun 2026. --- ## Public Positions Relevant to Older New Zealanders | Issue | Position | Source | Date | | ----------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------- | | **Dementia care / Aged care** | Opened the CARE Village in Ngongotaha — NZ's first dementia village based on the De Hogeweyk model. Called it "world-leading" care that "others will come and visit, they'll come and have a look and they too will follow us." | [NZ Herald — Rotorua Daily Post](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/world-class-care-village-officially-opens-in-ngongotaha-rotorua/KOQCDXCVAVC626FFHZ6REIBKYQ/) | Jun 2019 | | **Older persons health / rehabilitation** | As Associate Minister of Health, opened the Waikato DHB Older Persons and Rehabilitation Building (on behalf of Jo Goodhew). Asserted government commitment to "helping older New Zealanders live healthy and independent lives" and highlighted $70m additional aged-care funding in Budget 2013. | [Beehive.govt.nz — speech](https://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/opening-waikato-dhb-older-persons-and-rehabilitation-building) | 21 Jun 2013 | | **Mental health / older adults** | In 2013, as Associate Minister of Health with mental health responsibilities, the government published "Rising to the Challenge" mental health plan prioritising older people with high-prevalence conditions. Goodhew's World Mental Health Day speech noted McClay's responsibility for older people's mental health. | [Beehive.govt.nz — World Mental Health Day speech](https://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/speech-world-mental-health-day-2013) | 11 Oct 2013 | | **Dementia funding (as Assoc Health Minister)** | Budgets 2011–2013 added dementia funding: $10M (2011), $7.5M (2012), $3M (2013) for beds; $1.2M over 3 years for dementia training; $2M over 3 years for awareness/early detection. DHBs required to develop dementia care pathways. | [Beehive.govt.nz — World Mental Health Day speech](https://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/speech-world-mental-health-day-2013) | 11 Oct 2013 | | **Emergency housing / homelessness** | Called Rotorua a "dumping ground" for homelessness; campaigned to end emergency housing motels. "A motel is not a place for mum to raise her kids." Worked to restore Rotorua as a tourist destination. Closing motels affects vulnerable older people in emergency housing. | [RNZ](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/519048/end-to-emergency-housing-motels-first-step-in-taking-rotorua-back-mp-says); [NZ Herald](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/rotorua-mp-todd-mcclay-to-make-emergency-housing-policy-priority-for-city/EZWP2K5AWBCOVMVVHH6FVP5ZKI/) | Jun 2024 / Oct 2023 | | **Rural mental health** | Supported Rural Wellbeing Fund ($11M over 4 years) backing rural community initiatives. Agriculture portfolio includes farmer mental health — older farmers are a key demographic. | [Beehive.govt.nz](https://www.beehive.govt.nz/minister/hon-todd-mcclay) — Rural Wellbeing Fund announcement | 19 Mar 2026 | | **Grey Power Rotorua engagement** | Regularly advertises in Grey Power Rotorua publications; maintains constituent offices in Rotorua and Te Puke. Attended Grey Power seniors housing opening alongside Tāmati Coffey. | [Grey Power Rotorua newsletter](https://www.kiwipublications.co.nz/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Issue-1-2021-Autumn-Grey-Power-Rotorua.pdf); [Facebook post](https://www.facebook.com/tamaticoffeymp/posts/greypower-does-great-advocacy-for-seniors-in-rotorua-it-was-great-to-have-hon-ay/648672553285029/) | 2021 / various | **No clear public position found on:** NZ Super levels, retirement village regulation reform (this portfolio sits with Housing/Associate Housing ministers), Winter Energy Payment, disability support services, carers' pay equity, or specific seniors' cost-of-living measures. --- ## Parliamentary Activity ### Bills sponsored or responsible for | Bill | Type | Status | Notes | | ---------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------- | ------------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Regulatory Systems (Primary Industries) Amendment Bill** | Government (Minister in charge) | Passed third reading 2024–2025 | Omnibus bill improving regulatory systems for primary industries. McClay as Minister of Agriculture was the member in charge. | | **Prohibition of Gang Insignia in Government Premises Act 2013** | Member's Bill (McClay) | Passed into law Aug 2013 | McClay's signature legislative achievement as a backbench MP. | | **Climate Change Response ( amendment — member's bill)** | Member's Bill (McClay) | Lodged Sep 2024 | Would amend Climate Change Response Act. Mentioned in Russell McVeagh legal briefing. | _Sources:_ [Legislation.govt.nz](https://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2023/0256/latest/whole.html); [Russell McVeagh — Watching Brief Sep 2025](https://www.russellmcveagh.com/insights-news/watching-brief-september-2025/) accessed 8 Jun 2026; [Wikipedia entry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Todd_McClay) accessed 8 Jun 2026. ### Oral questions (selected) | Date | Topic | Detail | | ------------------ | ---------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 19 Nov 2024 | NZ–GCC Free Trade Agreement | Answered question on FTA provisions for primary sector exports — preferential access, rules of origin. | | Oct 2020 (approx.) | ICU capacity at Lakes DHB | Questioned Health Minister Andrew Little on only 4 resourced ICU beds for whole DHB area. Ordered to leave the Chamber by Speaker after disputing the answer. | | Multiple 2024–2026 | Trade, agriculture, forestry | Regularly asks and answers oral questions as portfolio minister in Question Time. | _Sources:_ [Scoop.co.nz — Hansard 19 Nov 2024](https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA2412/S00282/parliament-questions-and-answers-19-november-2024.htm); [NZ Herald](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/rotorua-mp-todd-mcclay-ordered-to-leave-parliament-after-quizzing-health-minister/YR2ED77ZIYTP7F6DZVHV3N3UFI/) accessed 8 Jun 2026. ### Select committee service | Committee | Role | Period | | -------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------- | -------------------- | | Finance and Expenditure | Chairperson | 2011 (approx.) | | Commerce | Chairperson | 2011 | | Economic Development, Science and Innovation | Member | 2020–2023 | | Social Services | Deputy Chair | Previous parliaments | | Law and Order | Member | Previous parliaments | | Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade | Member | Various | | Primary Industries / Primary Production | Member (portfolio minister ex-officio) | Current | _Note: Parliament.nz profile page was inaccessible due to Radware bot protection. Committee data compiled from Wikipedia metadata search results and National Party biography._ _Sources:_ [Wikipedia finance committee page](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finance_and_Expenditure_Committee) accessed 8 Jun 2026; [National Party profile](https://www.national.org.nz/team/toddmcclay) accessed 8 Jun 2026. --- ## Declared Interests (from Register of Pecuniary Interests) | Category | Details | | -------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Property** | 4 properties declared (2022 data): 2 family homes, holiday home, home in Belgium. Mortgages with Westpac Bank (NZ) and Centea Bank (Belgium). | | **Trusts** | McClay Family Trust — trustee and beneficiary (loans to trust declared). Mahana Farms Limited — agricultural shares held jointly as trustee. | | **Retirement savings** | McClay Super scheme; ANZ KiwiSaver (previously OnePath KiwiSaver, Family Super). | | **Directorships** | Political Relationship Management Limited (consulting) — previously declared. Rotorua Community Youth Centre Trust — trustee (charity role). | | **Gifts (relevant to health/aged care/housing/finance)** | Westpac Bank — tickets to rugby test (2019); Mastercard — Barack Obama dinner event (2019); SkyCity Entertainment Group — Rugby World Cup hosting (2012); The Hugo Group — donations to charity; UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade — vase; Arikikapakapa Golf Club — honorary membership. | | **Overseas travel (hosted costs, 2024–2025)** | India, Peru, China, Italy, Brazil, Australia, UAE, UK, France, multiple trade missions — all government-approved travel with host country or organisation covering local costs. | | **Organisations seeking govt funding** | Rotorua Community Youth Centre Trust (2020–2023). | _Sources:_ [Stuff.co.nz — Property register analysis](https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/350491024/revealed-the-number-of-properties-each-new-zealand-mp-owns) (May 2022) accessed 8 Jun 2026; [PublicData NZ](https://publicdata.co.nz/public-sector-people/todd-mcclay) accessed 8 Jun 2026; [Parliament.nz register PDF](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) (2025) accessed 8 Jun 2026. --- ## Business-Decision Implications | Area | Implication | | ----------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | **Aged care / retirement villages** | McClay has no direct policy responsibility for aged care, retirement villages, or NZ Super. However, as Rotorua MP he has strong local knowledge of aged-care provision (opened CARE Village). Stakeholders in Rotorua seeking local support for aged-care projects could engage him as electorate MP. | | **Trade and investment** | As Trade Minister, McClay has signed FTAs with India, UAE, GCC — these agreements could affect NZ's ability to export aged-care workforce or health-tech services. Trade agreements that include labour mobility provisions (e.g., for aged-care workers) fall under his portfolio. | | **Agriculture / rural communities** | Older farmers and rural residents are directly affected by McClay's Agriculture portfolio (farm succession, ETS costs, freshwater farm plans, rural mental health funding). The Rural Wellbeing Fund ($11M over 4 years) is relevant to ageing rural populations. | | **Housing (Rotorua electorate)** | McClay's campaign to end emergency housing motels affects the local housing market. Stakeholders in retirement village development or affordable seniors housing in Rotorua/Te Puke should note his local influence. | | **Forestry** | Older forest-owners and carbon farmers affected by ETS forestry regulations — portfolio responsibility. | --- ## Campaign Relevance - **Electorate strength:** McClay won Rotorua in 2023 with an 8,923-vote majority (19,339 to 10,416) — the largest in seat history. He has significant personal vote and is unlikely to lose the seat at the next election (due by late 2026). - **Party positioning:** Senior National Party Cabinet minister. His portfolios (Trade, Agriculture) are central to the Government's economic narrative. Not seen as a leadership contender. - **Seniors-related campaigning:** While not the minister for seniors, McClay could be a useful local surrogate for National's messaging on law and order (gang insignia ban), housing (ending emergency housing motels), and rural issues. His past health portfolio experience gives him credibility on aged care. - **Key risk:** The "Mexico" remark controversy (Jul 2024) showed a tendency for intemperate comments. Any repeat could damage his standing and by extension National's brand among older voters who value respect in public discourse. --- ## Monitoring Terms | Term | Reason | | ------------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------ | | "Todd McClay" + "aged care" / "retirement" / "seniors" / "Rotorua" | Local engagement on aged care | | "Trade Minister" + "India FTA" / "GCC" / "UAE" | Labour mobility provisions affecting aged-care workforce | | "Agriculture Minister" + "rural" + "mental health" | Rural Wellbeing Fund and ageing farmers | | "Rotorua" + "emergency housing" + "McClay" | Local housing policy affecting older people | | "McClay" + "health" + "Rotorua hospital" | Health infrastructure for older constituents | | "Minister for Trade and Investment" + "invest" | Foreign direct investment in health/aged-care infrastructure | | "McClay" + "dementia" / "CARE Village" | Dementia care advocacy | | "McClay" + "Grey Power" | Direct engagement with seniors' advocacy group | --- ## Source List | # | Source | URL | Accessed | | --- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------- | | 1 | Beehive.govt.nz — Minister biography | https://www.beehive.govt.nz/minister/biography/todd-mcclay-0 | 8 Jun 2026 | | 2 | Beehive.govt.nz — Hon Todd McClay releases | https://www.beehive.govt.nz/minister/hon-todd-mcclay | 8 Jun 2026 | | 3 | National Party — Todd McClay profile | https://www.national.org.nz/team/toddmcclay | 8 Jun 2026 | | 4 | Wikipedia — Todd McClay | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Todd_McClay | 8 Jun 2026 | | 5 | DPMC Ministerial List | https://www.dpmc.govt.nz/our-business-units/cabinet-office/ministers-and-their-portfolios/ministerial-list | 8 Jun 2026 | | 6 | Beehive.govt.nz — Opening Waikato DHB Older Persons & Rehabilitation Building | https://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/opening-waikato-dhb-older-persons-and-rehabilitation-building | 8 Jun 2026 | | 7 | Beehive.govt.nz — World Mental Health Day 2013 | https://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/speech-world-mental-health-day-2013 | 8 Jun 2026 | | 8 | NZ Herald — CARE Village opening, Ngongotaha | https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/world-class-care-village-officially-opens-in-ngongotaha-rotorua/KOQCDXCVAVC626FFHZ6REIBKYQ/ | 8 Jun 2026 | | 9 | RNZ — End to emergency housing motels | https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/519048/end-to-emergency-housing-motels-first-step-in-taking-rotorua-back-mp-says | 8 Jun 2026 | | 10 | NZ Herald — McClay makes emergency housing priority | https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/rotorua-mp-todd-mcclay-to-make-emergency-housing-policy-priority-for-city/EZWP2K5AWBCOVMVVHH6FVP5ZKI/ | 8 Jun 2026 | | 11 | NZ Herald — McClay ordered to leave Parliament | https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/rotorua-mp-todd-mcclay-ordered-to-leave-parliament-after-quizzing-health-minister/YR2ED77ZIYTP7F6DZVHV3N3UFI/ | 8 Jun 2026 | | 12 | Stuff — Property register (MPs' properties) | https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/350491024/revealed-the-number-of-properties-each-new-zealand-mp-owns | 8 Jun 2026 | | 13 | PublicData NZ — Todd McClay profile | https://publicdata.co.nz/public-sector-people/todd-mcclay | 8 Jun 2026 | | 14 | Parliament.nz — Register of Pecuniary Interests 2025 (PDF) | 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 | | 15 | Scoop.co.nz — Hansard 19 Nov 2024 | https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA2412/S00282/parliament-questions-and-answers-19-november-2024.htm | 8 Jun 2026 | | 16 | Russell McVeagh — Watching Brief Sep 2025 | https://www.russellmcveagh.com/insights-news/watching-brief-september-2025/ | 8 Jun 2026 | | 17 | Grey Power Rotorua newsletter (2021) | https://www.kiwipublications.co.nz/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Issue-1-2021-Autumn-Grey-Power-Rotorua.pdf | 8 Jun 2026 | | 18 | Legislation.govt.nz — Regulatory Systems (Primary Industries) Amendment Bill | https://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2023/0256/latest/whole.html | 8 Jun 2026 | | 19 | Wikipedia — Finance and Expenditure Committee | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finance_and_Expenditure_Committee | 8 Jun 2026 | | 20 | Facebook — Grey Power seniors housing opening | https://www.facebook.com/tamaticoffeymp/posts/greypower-does-great-advocacy-for-seniors-in-rotorua-it-was-great-to-have-hon-ay/648672553285029/ | 8 Jun 2026 | --- _Profile compiled 8 Jun 2026 by automated cron job. This is a public-interest research document based solely on published, publicly available sources. No private personal information is included. Factual claims are individually sourced; readers should verify time-sensitive data (e.g., current committee assignments) against Parliament.nz._