# MP Profile: Katie Nimon (National — Napier) **File created:** 9 June 2026 **Source of data:** Publicly available parliamentary, media, and party records --- ## Current Roles | Role | Detail | | -------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Electorate** | Napier (covers Napier City, Wairoa District, parts of Hastings and Gisborne Districts) | | **Party** | New Zealand National Party | | **Parliament** | 54th Parliament (elected 14 October 2023) | | **Select committees** | **Chair**, Education and Workforce Committee; Member, Environment Committee | | **Ministerial portfolios** | None (backbench MP) | | **Spokesperson roles** | None identified | _Sources:_ National Party team page (national.org.nz); Parliament.nz MP listing --- ## Relevance Score: 🟢 LOW **Explanation:** Katie Nimon is a first-term backbench MP with no ministerial or opposition spokesperson portfolio. She chairs the Education and Workforce Select Committee and sits on the Environment Committee — neither is directly seniors-relevant per the criteria (Health, Social Services, Finance, Justice, Māori Affairs, Petitions, Transport, or Governance). She is not a minister or associate minister. While Napier City has a slightly older demographic profile than the national average (16.7% aged 65+ in 2010, vs ~16% nationally in 2022), this alone does not raise her to MEDIUM. No evidence of active seniors-policy advocacy beyond general electorate work and support for the Government's granny-flat consent exemption (which mentions ageing parents). --- ## Public Background ### Professional - **Education:** Iona College (secondary); Massey University — Bachelor of Visual Communication Design (Honours, 2013), Master of Business Administration (2019). - **Career:** - Clemenger Group graduate programme (2014), working for Colenso BBDO and Touchcast (Auckland advertising). - Returned to Hawke's Bay to work for family transport business **Nimon & Sons** (founded 1907) — marketing manager, then General Manager of three depots (Hastings, Napier, Taupō). - Transport Manager, Hawke's Bay Regional Council (2021–2023). - Left council role in 2022 to campaign full-time. - **Community involvement:** EIT School of Hospitality & Tourism Advisory Committee; National Youth Drama School tutor; youth mentoring; Meeanee Speedway volunteer; SH2 North advocacy; Hawke's Bay Tourism Business Events sector development. - **Cyclone Gabrielle response:** Involved in emergency coordination; fed ground-level observations back to National Party to shape recovery policy. _Sources:_ National Party bio (national.org.nz); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katie_Nimon); RNZ (17 Oct 2023) ### Political - **2020 election:** National candidate for Napier — came second (37.04%) behind incumbent Stuart Nash (Labour); list position #45 not high enough to enter Parliament. - **2023 election:** Won Napier with 52.83% (+15.79 swing), majority 8,870 over Labour's Mark Hutchinson. Flipped seat from Labour after Stuart Nash retired. - **Maiden speech (Dec 2023):** Described herself as "fiscally conservative, socially progressive." Emphasised family legacy (Nimon bus company), limited government, private-sector partnership. Special mention of Wairoa as "the heart of the Napier electorate." Referenced astrology — her birthday is "the day of the bridge," seeing her role as a bridge between government and electorate. _Sources:_ RNZ (6 Dec 2023); NZ Herald (6 Dec 2023); Wikipedia --- ## Public Positions Relevant to Older New Zealanders | Issue | Position | Source | Date | | ------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------ | | **Granny flats/ageing-in-place** | Promoted National Government policy allowing 70m² granny flats without building or resource consent, explicitly citing benefit for "ageing parents" and "extended whānau" to live close to home. "Practical living options… to support extended whānau, ageing parents, and young people to stay close to home, particularly in our rural communities." | National Party — January 2026 Update (national.org.nz/news/260204-katienimon); Facebook post (22 Oct 2025) | Jan 2026; Oct 2025 | | **Health — cancer care** | Welcomed new linac cancer treatment machine at Hawke's Bay Hospital so patients "no longer need to travel outside the region." Visited Canopy Cancer Care, saw new PET scanner. | National Party — March 2025 Update (national.org.nz/news/20250401-katienimonmarch) | Mar 2025 | | **Health — urgent care** | Advocated for and welcomed enhanced 24/7 urgent care service at Napier Health, with nurse prescribers and telehealth consultations. Worked with Minister Simeon Brown. | Same as above; Beehive PR on enhanced urgent care (beehive.govt.nz) | Mar 2025 | | **Health — hospital investment** | Promoted $28.3M boost for new 28-bed short-stay surgical ward at Hawke's Bay Hospital (Budget 2026). | Facebook post (Ahuriri Advocate); National Party Jan 2026 Update | Jan 2026 | | **Mental health (all ages)** | Sponsored Member's Bill: **Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) (Improving Mental Health Outcomes) Amendment Bill** — requires Minister of Health to determine a mental health and wellbeing strategy. Passed unanimously (all parties) Oct 2024. "I want depression and anxiety disorders to be treated like type 2 diabetes." | Scoop/Hansard (25 Dec 2024); bills.parliament.nz | Oct 2024 | | **Seniors recognition** | Shared Facebook post: "Our seniors have worked hard for New Zealand, and National will always value the…" (text cut off). | Facebook — Katie Nimon for Napier (facebook.com/KatieNimonforNapier) | Jul 2025 | | **Over-60s engagement** | Hosted "Over-60s Morning Tea" event for older constituents (advertised via Tim Costley MP's March 2026 update). | National Party — Tim Costley March Update (national.org.nz/news/260330-timcostley) | Mar 2026 | | **Grey Power connection** | Contact details listed in Grey Power Napier & Districts newsletter as MP contact for older constituents. | Grey Power Napier Issue 1 2026 Autumn (kiwipublications.co.nz) | 2026 | | **Cost-of-living — superannuitants** | Promoted Government policy: "Cost of living support for 1.5 million New Zealanders — 900k+ superannuitants, 5k veterans benefit." No specific personal commentary beyond sharing Government announcement. | National Party — Mar 2025 Update (national.org.nz/news/20250401-katienimonmarch) | Mar 2025 | | **Cyclone recovery (seniors impact)** | Advocated for continued cyclone recovery funding. Noted Wairoa housing crisis (130 displaced families, only 3 back in homes). Recovery support affects older homeowners and renters disproportionately. | RNZ (17 Oct 2023); National Party updates | Oct 2023–ongoing | **Overall assessment:** No clear public position found on NZ Super age, retirement village regulation, dementia policy, elder abuse, carers, palliative care, or disability support specifically. Her seniors-relevant activity consists of (a) advocating for local health infrastructure that benefits all ages, (b) supporting the Government's granny-flat policy with a nod to ageing parents, (c) general constituency engagement with older voters. She has not made any parliamentary contribution specifically on seniors' issues. --- ## Parliamentary Activity ### Member's Bill - **Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) (Improving Mental Health Outcomes) Amendment Bill** (Member's Bill, 53rd Parliament, No. 291-2) - Introduced: 30 August 2023 - Passed third reading unanimously: 23 October 2024 - Effect: Requires Minister of Health to set a mental health and wellbeing strategy - _Source:_ Scoop/Hansard (25 Dec 2024); bills.parliament.nz ### Oral Questions (selected) Katie Nimon regularly asks oral questions in the House, typically on Government portfolios. Examples: - **Minister for Infrastructure** (17 Feb 2026): "What reports has he seen on New Zealand's infrastructure?" - **Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs** (11 Mar 2026): "What actions has he taken to ensure fuel markets…" - **Minister of Education** (2026): "What recent announcement has the Government made about school property redevelopment projects?" - **Minister of Finance** (31 Jul 2024): Question on finance - **Minister for Infrastructure** (2026): Question on infrastructure progress _Sources:_ RNZ Oral Questions listings; Community Scoop (3 Apr 2026); Parliament live stream ### Select Committee Work - **Chair, Education and Workforce Committee:** Led inquiry into online harm and young people. Final report released 2026. Committee "from across the House agree that serious harms…" - **Member, Environment Committee** ### Notable Speech — Crimes (Theft by Employer) Amendment Bill (Mar 2025) - Opposed Labour MP Camilla Belich's bill criminalising employer wage theft. - Argued it was unnecessary (Employment Relations Act 2000 already covers it), would "clog up the justice system," and damage employer–employee relationships. - Bill passed 63–60 with support from opposition parties and NZ First; National and ACT opposed. _Source:_ RNZ (13 Mar 2025) --- ## Declared Interests **From Register of Pecuniary Interests (as at 30 January 2025)** | Category | Detail | | ------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Company directorships** | Mates Travel Limited (tour arranging); J & K Land Holdings Limited (residential property investment) | | **Real property** | Family home (jointly owned) — Marewa, Napier; Rental properties x2 (jointly owned) — Havelock North, Hastings | | **Retirement schemes** | Generate KiwiSaver | | **Creditors (owed by)** | Nimon & Sons Limited (personal loan); ANZ Bank (home loan); ASB Bank (home loan) | | **Gifts** | Art Deco Weekend 2024 (x2 events) — Art Deco Trust; NZ Parliamentary Hunt — NZ Game Animal Council | | **Other** | Tourism Partners Limited consultancy (listed as directorship on Parliament Pulse) | **Relevance to seniors/health/housing/aged care:** - **J & K Land Holdings Limited** and **two rental properties in Havelock North** — property investment interests relevant to housing supply, rental market, and retirement accommodation in Hawke's Bay. - **Generate KiwiSaver** — standard retirement savings. - No declared interests in health, aged care, retirement village operators, or disability services. _Sources:_ WhereTheyStand.nz (wheretheystand.nz/people/katie-nimon/interests); Parliament Pulse (parliamentpulse.co.nz); Register of Pecuniary Interests 2025 --- ## Electorate Context — Napier - **Geography:** Urban Napier + rural Wairoa District + parts of Hastings/Gisborne Districts. Diverse urban-rural mix. - **Demographics (Napier City):** Historically older than national average — 16.7% aged 65+ (2010, Napier City Council profile). However, 2023 Census indicated Hawke's Bay as a region was "bucking the national ageing trend" with a younger demographic profile than expected. The electorate includes Wairoa (higher Māori population, lower median age, significant cyclone housing distress). - **Key local issues:** Cyclone Gabrielle recovery, housing (Wairoa displacement), health infrastructure (Hawke's Bay Hospital), transport (SH2, rail), rural connectivity. - **Political history:** Marginal seat — swung between Labour and National; Nimon won with 52.83% in 2023 after Stuart Nash (Labour) retired. _Sources:_ Wikipedia — Napier electorate; Napier City Council socio-demographic profile; NZ Herald — Census 2023 --- ## Business-Decision Implications - **Low seniors-policy influence:** As a backbench MP without health, social development, or seniors portfolios, Nimon has minimal direct influence over aged care, NZ Super, retirement village regulation, or dementia policy. - **Local health infrastructure advocate:** She has demonstrated effectiveness in advocating for local health funding (urgent care, cancer equipment, hospital ward). Businesses in health infrastructure, aged care construction, or medical equipment may find her a useful local advocate but not a policy shaper. - **Housing/property:** Her declared property investments (rentals in Havelock North, family home in Napier) and support for granny-flat deregulation indicate alignment with Government's housing-supply agenda. Property developers and retirement village operators in Hawke's Bay may find her receptive, but she has not spoken specifically on retirement village regulation. - **Transport background:** Her transport experience (Regional Council Transport Manager, family bus business) gives her credibility on transport infrastructure — relevant for aged-care transport and accessibility, though she has not spoken to this directly. - **Mental health policy:** Her Member's Bill shows genuine interest in mental health strategy — relevant for mental health providers and community health organisations serving older people. --- ## Campaign Relevance (2026 Election) - **Re-election prospects:** Nimon holds a marginal seat (8,870 majority in 2023, but National won it back after losing it in 2020). The 2026 election (7 November) will test whether she can consolidate the seat. - **Seniors voters:** Napier has a significant 65+ voting population. Her engagement via Over-60s Morning Teas, Grey Power newsletter presence, and promotion of Government policies (granny flats, tax relief, health funding) are standard incumbent re-election tactics rather than deep policy commitment. - **Key campaign themes likely:** Cyclone recovery delivery, local health investment, cost-of-living relief, law and order. - **Vulnerability:** Labour will target Napier as a regain opportunity. Nimon's opposition to the wage-theft bill and her backbench status (no ministerial portfolio) may be used against her by Labour. --- ## Monitoring Terms - Katie Nimon AND (seniors OR aged care OR retirement OR NZ Super OR dementia OR pension) - Katie Nimon AND (health OR hospital OR mental health) - Katie Nimon AND (granny flat OR housing OR rental) - Katie Nimon AND (cyclone OR Wairoa OR recovery) - Education and Workforce Select Committee inquiry report (online harm — long-term recommendations could affect digital inclusion for older people) --- ## Source List | # | Source | URL | Date Accessed | | --- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------- | | 1 | Parliament.nz — MP page (blocked by Radware, but used for committee listing) | https://www.parliament.nz/en/mps-and-electorates/members-of-parliament/nimon-katie/ | 9 Jun 2026 | | 2 | National Party — Katie Nimon MP bio | https://www.national.org.nz/team/katienimon | 9 Jun 2026 | | 3 | Wikipedia — Katie Nimon | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katie_Nimon | 9 Jun 2026 | | 4 | Wikipedia — Napier electorate | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napier_(New_Zealand_electorate) | 9 Jun 2026 | | 5 | RNZ — "Cyclone-hit growers hoping for fresh approaches from new MPs" (17 Oct 2023) | https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/500427/cyclone-hit-growers-hoping-for-fresh-approaches-from-new-mps | 9 Jun 2026 | | 6 | RNZ — "National MPs talk upbringing and astrology in Parliament debut" (6 Dec 2023) | https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/504062/national-mps-talk-upbringing-and-astrology-in-parliament-debut | 9 Jun 2026 | | 7 | RNZ — "'Theft is theft' — Bill making employers theft of workers' wages a crime passes" (13 Mar 2025) | https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/544621/theft-is-theft-bill-making-employers-theft-of-workers-wages-a-crime-passes | 9 Jun 2026 | | 8 | Scoop/Hansard — Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Amendment Bill third reading (25 Dec 2024) | https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA2412/S00257/pae-ora-healthy-futures-improving-mental-health-outcomes-amendment-bill-third-reading.htm | 9 Jun 2026 | | 9 | National Party — "Katie Nimon MP: Marching Forward: Health Highlights and Community Updates" (1 Apr 2025) | https://www.national.org.nz/news/20250401-katienimonmarch | 9 Jun 2026 | | 10 | National Party — "January Update from Katie Nimon" (2 Feb 2026) | https://www.national.org.nz/news/260204-katienimon | 9 Jun 2026 | | 11 | National Party — "February Update from Katie Nimon" (27 Feb 2026) | https://www.national.org.nz/news/260302-katienimon | 9 Jun 2026 | | 12 | National Party — "Tim's March Update" (Mar 2026) — Over-60s Morning Tea mention | https://www.national.org.nz/news/260330-timcostley | 9 Jun 2026 | | 13 | NZ Herald — "Watch: Napier MP Katie Nimon delivers maiden speech in Parliament" (Dec 2023) | https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/watch-napier-mp-katie-nimon-delivering-maiden-speed-in-parliament/FENQOIHSHNALBG43OGDDQNYO4Q/ | 9 Jun 2026 | | 14 | Newsroom — "The electorates National has on its hit-list" (11 Oct 2023) | https://newsroom.co.nz/2023/10/11/the-electorates-national-has-on-its-hit-list/ | 9 Jun 2026 | | 15 | WhereTheyStand.nz — Katie Nimon declared interests (as at 30 Jan 2025) | https://wheretheystand.nz/people/katie-nimon/interests | 9 Jun 2026 | | 16 | Parliament Pulse — Katie Nimon profile | https://parliamentpulse.co.nz/mpprofile?id=68dfcbe37b685fe37c5bfe0f | 9 Jun 2026 | | 17 | Community Scoop — Oral Questions 11 March 2026 | https://community.scoop.co.nz/2026/04/oral-questions-questions-to-ministers-sitting-date-11-march-2026/ | 9 Jun 2026 | | 18 | Grey Power Napier — Issue 1 2026 Autumn (MP contact listing) | https://www.kiwipublications.co.nz/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Issue-1-2026-Autumn-Grey-Power-Napier.pdf | 9 Jun 2026 | | 19 | Facebook — Katie Nimon for Napier (multiple posts referenced) | https://www.facebook.com/KatieNimonforNapier/ | 9 Jun 2026 | | 20 | Bills.parliament.nz — Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Amendment Bill history | https://bills.parliament.nz/v/6/955109f7-830e-4b94-2089-08dba9b9dfac?Tab=history | 9 Jun 2026 | | 21 | Napier City Council — Socio-Demographic Profile (65+ data) | https://www.napier.govt.nz/assets/Documents/napier-city-socio-demographic-profile.pdf | 9 Jun 2026 | | 22 | NZ Herald — "Hawke's Bay bucks national ageing trend" (Census 2023) | https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/census-2023-results-hawkes-bay-bucks-national-ageing-trend-in-latest-census-data/CPNMHOTRS5EWPPXHJBUTTXYR6Q/ | 9 Jun 2026 | | 23 | Parliament.nz — Education and Workforce Committee: Parliamentary inquiry into online harm completed | https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/committees-press-releases/parliamentary-inquiry-into-online-harm-and-young-people-completed/ | 9 Jun 2026 |