# MP Profile: Hon Dr Megan Woods **Party:** New Zealand Labour Party **Electorate:** Wigram (2011–present); List-only candidate for 2026 (ranked #4 on Labour list) **Current Role (54th Parliament, Opposition):** Spokesperson for Manufacturing and Industry, Spokesperson for Energy and Resources, Associate Spokesperson for Finance **Status:** `[x] DONE` — Profiled 9 June 2026 --- ## 1. Current Roles | Role | Body | Start Date | | ------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------- | ---------------- | | MP for Wigram | New Zealand Parliament (54th) | 5 December 2023 | | Member, Finance and Expenditure Committee | Select Committee | 27 March 2024 | | Spokesperson for Manufacturing and Industry | Labour Party | March 2025 | | Spokesperson for Energy and Resources | Labour Party | 30 November 2023 | | Associate Spokesperson for Finance | Labour Party | 30 November 2023 | _Formerly (in government, 2017–2023): Minister of Housing, Minister of Energy and Resources, Minister of Building and Construction, Minister for Infrastructure, Minister for Research Science and Innovation, Associate Minister of Finance, Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration, Minister for Government Digital Services, plus various acting portfolios._ **Source:** Parliament.nz member page (accessed 9 Jun 2026) — https://www.parliament.nz/en/mps-and-electorates/members-of-parliament/woods-megan/; Labour Party profile — https://www.labour.org.nz/our-team/hon-dr-megan-woods/ --- ## 2. Relevance Score: 🟡 MEDIUM **Explanation:** Megan Woods does not currently hold a seniors, health, or social development portfolio. However, she has medium relevance because: 1. **Former Housing Minister (2019–2023)** — Approved the scope for the **Retirement Villages Act 2003 review** (December 2022), a key seniors-policy issue. Opened Te Mātāwai (276-unit public housing) and other developments directly affecting older people's housing. 2. **Associate Finance Spokesperson** — Position gives her influence over NZ Superannuation, retirement income policy, and public spending on aged care/housing. 3. **Energy Spokesperson** — Energy costs disproportionately affect older people on fixed incomes. 4. **Finance and Expenditure Committee member** — Scrutinises Budget allocations for health, housing, and social services including Vote Health and Vote Social Development. 5. **Christchurch-based MP** — Wigram electorate has a significant 65+ population; retirement village developments (e.g. Summerset Wigram) are in her electorate. She is **not** a direct seniors portfolio holder (unlike Ingrid Leary, Labour's Seniors Spokesperson), hence MEDIUM rather than HIGH. --- ## 3. Public Background | Detail | Information | | ------------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Full name** | Megan Cherie Woods | | **Born** | 4 November 1973 (age 52), Wigram, Christchurch | | **Education** | PhD in History (2002), MA (1997) — University of Canterbury | | **Pre-politics career** | Business Manager at Crop & Food Research (2005–08), Plant and Food Research (2008) | | **First elected** | 26 November 2011 (Wigram) | | **Parliaments served** | 50th, 51st, 52nd, 53rd, 54th | | **Previous party affiliation** | Alliance (1999–2002), Progressive Party (2002–2007) | | **Ministerial experience** | 11 portfolios in Sixth Labour Government (2017–2023) | | **Reputation** | Known as a "fixer" and member of Labour's "Kitchen Cabinet"; described as "minister for everything" (The Spinoff, 2020) | | **Campaign chair** | Labour Party campaign chair for both 2020 and 2023 general elections | **Sources:** - Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megan_Woods (accessed 9 Jun 2026) - The Spinoff, "Megan Woods, the minister for everything" (1 Aug 2020) — https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/01-08-2020/megan-woods-the-minister-for-everything --- ## 4. Public Positions Relevant to Older New Zealanders | Issue | Position / Activity | Source | Date | | ------------------------------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------- | | **Retirement Villages Act review** | As Housing Minister, approved the scope for a review of the Retirement Villages Act 2003 in December 2022. The review covered treatment of occupation right agreements, fee transparency, and residents' rights when moving between care levels. | HUD Cabinet Paper — https://www.hud.govt.nz/documents/cabinet-minute-review-of-the-retirement-villages-act-2003-approval-to-release-discussion-paper-swc-23-min-0091-minute-no-redactions; Stuff — https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/property/300770425/honestly-i-just-dont-know-why-i-did-it-our-oldest-population-is-losing-money-by-buying-into-retirement-villages (accessed 9 Jun 2026) | Dec 2022 | | **Retirement Villages stakeholder forum** | Opened the Retirement Villages Stakeholders Forum as Minister of Housing, discussing the review of the Act and residents' rights. | Retirement Commission Annual Report 2023 — https://assets.retirement.govt.nz/public/Uploads/Annual-Report/TAAO-RC-Annual-Report-2023.pdf (accessed 9 Jun 2026) | 2023 | | **Public housing for older people** | As Housing Minister, oversaw delivery of 21,000 public/transitional homes by 2025, many of which support older people needing affordable housing. Opened Te Mātāwai (276-unit mixed tenure) in Auckland (Aug 2023) — first Kāinga Ora development combining public and private rentals with 24/7 on-site support. | Beehive.govt.nz — https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/plan-3000-more-public-homes-2025-%E2%80%93-regions-set-benefit; Beehive — https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/first-its-kind-public-housing-development-opens-auckland (accessed 9 Jun 2026) | 2023 | | **Supported housing model** | Announced first permanent public housing in Wellington City with on-site care support (Aug 2023) — model particularly relevant for older and disabled residents. | Beehive.govt.nz — https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/supported-housing-model-coming-wellington (accessed 9 Jun 2026) | 1 Aug 2023 | | **Energy affordability** | As Energy Spokesperson (Opposition), has criticised Government's energy plan, arguing it won't cut power bills. Energy affordability is a key concern for older people on fixed incomes. | Scoop — https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA2510/S00005/govts-energy-plan-wont-cut-power-bills.htm (accessed 9 Jun 2026) | Oct 2025 | | **Community housing (Christchurch)** | Sponsored the Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust (Trust Variation) Bill (Private Bill, Dec 2025) — amends trust deed to better deliver community housing in Christchurch, benefiting older and vulnerable residents. | Parliament.nz — https://bills.parliament.nz/v/6/3805f52f-1a53-4cb3-6112-08de3c2f4452 (accessed 9 Jun 2026) | 17 Dec 2025 | | **Engagement with retirement village residents** | Visited Summerset Wigram retirement village, engaging with residents on issues affecting older people. | Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/p/DZJF8e3mA6A/; Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/MeganWoodsWigram/posts/great-to-join-residents-at-summerset-wigram-yesterday-for-a-really-engaging-meet/1381161450488576/ (accessed 9 Jun 2026) | 2024–2026 | | **Disability support** | Visited disabled community team gatherings with Tracey McLellan MP; engaged on Government's approach to disability support services. | Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/MeganWoodsWigram/posts/this-morning-tracey-mclellan-mp-and-i-popped-in-to-see-that-team-gathering-for-t/868560038415389/ (accessed 9 Jun 2026) | 2025 | | **NZ Superannuation** | No specific public statements on NZ Super eligibility age found. Labour Party position (maintained by Hipkins) is to keep NZ Super at 65. As Associate Finance Spokesperson, she would be involved in retirement income policy. | Labour Party policy (general) — no direct quote from Woods found. | — | | **Aged care / palliative care** | No clear public position found on aged care funding, dementia, or palliative care specifically. | Not found in search. | — | ### Summary on seniors-specific issues **No clear public position found on:** aged care funding models, dementia strategy, palliative care, elder abuse prevention, carers' support, or NZ Super eligibility age as individual spokesperson views. Her contributions to seniors policy have been through the Retirement Villages Act review and public housing delivery. --- ## 5. Parliamentary Activity ### Bills Sponsored (as Member in 54th Parliament) | Bill | Type | Date | Status | | ------------------------------------------------------- | ------- | ----------- | ----------------------------- | | Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust (Trust Variation) Bill | Private | 17 Dec 2025 | Introduced (progress unknown) | _Previous bills she introduced as Minister (53rd Parliament): Fuel Industry (Improving Fuel Resilience) Amendment Bill, Energy Resources Levy Amendment Bill, Energy (Fuels, Levies, and References) Amendment Bill, Crown Minerals Amendment Bill, Residential Tenancies (Healthy Homes Standards) Amendment Bill, Sustainable Biofuel Obligation Bill (all 2022–2023)._ ### Oral Questions (selected examples in 54th Parliament) - **24 March 2026:** Question to Associate Minister for Energy on ministerial statements - **13 August 2025:** Question about cuts in agency funding — referenced committee recommendations - **30 July 2024:** Question to Minister for Energy on energy policy - Has asked questions on housing, energy, and government spending from Opposition benches ### Select Committee Activity - **Finance and Expenditure Committee** (Member since 27 March 2024) — scrutinises Budget, tax policy, financial management of government, NZ Super Fund. - During Scrutiny Week 2024, called out "patsy questions" from Government MPs: _"We have some dignity as a committee surely, Mr Chair."_ — demonstrating assertive scrutiny style. - Previously served on Environment Committee (until 27 March 2024). - Participated in Finance and Expenditure Committee's scrutiny of Budget 2024 and annual reviews of Crown entities. ### Voting Record (selected) | Vote | Position | Date | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------- | ----------- | | Broadcasting (Repeal of Advertising Restrictions) Amendment Bill | ✅ For | 18 Dec 2024 | | Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Winery Cellar Door Tasting) Amendment Bill | ❌ Against | 31 Jul 2024 | **Source:** WhereTheyStand — https://wheretheystand.nz/people/megan-woods (accessed 9 Jun 2026); Parliament.nz oral questions archive; Newsroom — https://newsroom.co.nz/2024/06/20/frustration-and-fact-checking-marks-scrutiny-week-mid-point/ --- ## 6. Declared Interests (Register of Pecuniary Interests) ### As at 31 January 2025 (54th Parliament) | Category | Detail | | -------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Real property** | Family home, Spreydon, Christchurch | | **Retirement schemes** | AMP Super, Fisher Funds KiwiSav er | | **Debts owed by** | Kiwibank mortgage (on family home) | | **Debts owed to** | None declared | | **Directorships** | None | | **Trust interests** | None | | **Gifts** | None for current period | | **Overseas travel** | Not declared for current period | | **Charity roles** | Trustee, New Zealand Business and Parliament Trust; Committee member, Canterbury Women's Club Incorporated | | **Organisations seeking Govt funding** | New Zealand Business and Parliament Trust (as trustee) | ### Notable observations - **No declared interests in aged care, health, or retirement village companies.** - **No property interests beyond family home** — no investment properties, trusts, or commercial property interests relevant to housing/development sector. - **Historical declarations (2012–2017)** included a student loan (NZ Government), a racehorse syndicate lease (Woodsy's Dreammaker Syndicate), and Kiwibank mortgage. No significant changes in pattern. **Sources:** - Register of Pecuniary and Other Specified Interests of Members of Parliament, Summary of Annual Returns as at 31 January 2025 (54th Parliament) — https://www3.parliament.nz/media/11939/register-of-pecuniary-and-other-specified-interests-of-members-of-parliament-summary-of-annual-returns-as-at-31-january-2025.pdf (accessed 9 Jun 2026) - PublicData NZ summary — https://publicdata.co.nz/public-sector-people/megan-woods (accessed 9 Jun 2026) --- ## 7. Business-Decision Implications | Factor | Implication | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Former Housing Minister — initiated Retirement Villages Act review** | Has policy history on retirement village regulation; likely to engage on reform if Labour returns to government. Stakeholders should be aware of her prior decisions on review scope. | | **Associate Finance Spokesperson** | Will have input into Labour's fiscal plan, including spending on housing, health, and NZ Super. Contact point for sector funding advocacy. | | **Energy Spokesperson** | Relevant for energy affordability affecting older people; advocates for lower power prices. | | **Finance and Expenditure Committee member** | Scrutinises government spending on health, housing, and social services. Can be engaged on Budget submissions. | | **List-only candidate for 2026** | May leave Parliament if Labour list ranking is not high enough, or could return as list MP. Less electoral connection to Wigram but still influential in caucus. | | **No declared interests in retirement village/aged care sector** | No conflict of interest declared; engagement on sector issues is on policy grounds rather than personal interest. | --- ## 8. Campaign Relevance - **Senior Labour MP** — Ranked #4 on Labour Party list for 2026 election. Currently a key Opposition voice on energy, manufacturing, and finance. - **Former campaign chair** (2020, 2023) — Deep understanding of Labour's campaign machinery and strategy. - **Announced 3 Aug 2025** she would not contest Wigram electorate in 2026, opting for list-only candidacy. Cites inability to commit to full six-year boundary cycle. This decision reduces her local electoral focus but she remains a senior list MP. - **Potential future roles:** If Labour wins in 2026, likely to return to senior ministerial roles (Housing, Energy, Infrastructure, Finance). - **Relationship to seniors voters:** Her electorate (Wigram, Christchurch) has a significant 65+ population. Her work on public housing and retirement villages policy positions her as a moderately relevant MP for older voters. **Source:** 1News — https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/08/03/senior-labour-mp-wont-contest-electorate-will-stand-on-list-in-2026/ (accessed 9 Jun 2026); RNZ — https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/568856/senior-labour-mp-megan-woods-won-t-contest-seat-at-next-election (accessed 9 Jun 2026) --- ## 9. Monitoring Terms For ongoing tracking of Megan Woods's statements and activities relevant to older NZers: - `"Megan Woods" AND ("retirement" OR "seniors" OR "aged care" OR "superannuation" OR "housing")` - `"Megan Woods" AND "Retirement Villages Act"` - `"Megan Woods" AND ("energy" OR "power bills") AND ("older" OR "pensioner")` - `"Megan Woods" AND "Finance and Expenditure" AND ("health" OR "housing" OR "social")` - Parliament.nz oral questions: monitor for questions on housing/energy/social policy - Instagram: @megancwoods — frequent posts on constituency work including retirement village visits **Priority issues to watch:** Retirement Villages Act reform progress, Labour's housing policy for older people, energy affordability for pensioners, Labour's fiscal plan for NZ Super. --- ## 10. Source List | # | Source | URL | Date Accessed | | --- | --------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------- | | 1 | Parliament.nz — Member profile | https://www.parliament.nz/en/mps-and-electorates/members-of-parliament/woods-megan/ | 9 Jun 2026 | | 2 | Labour Party — MP profile | https://www.labour.org.nz/our-team/hon-dr-megan-woods/ | 9 Jun 2026 | | 3 | Wikipedia — Megan Woods | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megan_Woods | 9 Jun 2026 | | 4 | Wikipedia — 54th New Zealand Parliament | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/54th_New_Zealand_Parliament | 9 Jun 2026 | | 5 | Wikipedia — Shadow Cabinet of Chris Hipkins | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadow_Cabinet_of_Chris_Hipkins | 9 Jun 2026 | | 6 | Beehive.govt.nz — Ministerial releases (Hon Dr Megan Woods) | https://www.beehive.govt.nz/minister/hon-dr-megan-woods | 9 Jun 2026 | | 7 | Beehive — Plan for 3,000 more public homes by 2025 | https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/plan-3000-more-public-homes-2025-%E2%80%93-regions-set-benefit | 9 Jun 2026 | | 8 | Beehive — Te Mātāwai public housing opens | https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/first-its-kind-public-housing-development-opens-auckland | 9 Jun 2026 | | 9 | Beehive — Supported housing model coming to Wellington | https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/supported-housing-model-coming-wellington | 9 Jun 2026 | | 10 | WhereTheyStand — Megan Woods parliamentary activity | https://wheretheystand.nz/people/megan-woods | 9 Jun 2026 | | 11 | Register of Pecuniary Interests (PDF) — Summary as at 31 Jan 2025 | https://www3.parliament.nz/media/11939/register-of-pecuniary-and-other-specified-interests-of-members-of-parliament-summary-of-annual-returns-as-at-31-january-2025.pdf | 9 Jun 2026 | | 12 | PublicData NZ — Megan Woods salary, expenses, interests | https://publicdata.co.nz/public-sector-people/megan-woods | 9 Jun 2026 | | 13 | 1News — Senior Labour MP won't contest electorate (3 Aug 2025) | https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/08/03/senior-labour-mp-wont-contest-electorate-will-stand-on-list-in-2026/ | 9 Jun 2026 | | 14 | RNZ — Senior Labour MP Megan Woods won't contest seat | https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/568856/senior-labour-mp-megan-woods-won-t-contest-seat-at-next-election | 9 Jun 2026 | | 15 | RNZ — Labour Party shadow Cabinet (Nov 2023) | https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/503581/labour-party-leader-chris-hipkins-reveals-new-shadow-cabinet | 9 Jun 2026 | | 16 | Stuff — Retirement village occupancy rights (quoting Woods) | https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/property/300770425/honestly-i-just-dont-know-why-i-did-it-our-oldest-population-is-losing-money-by-buying-into-retirement-villages | 9 Jun 2026 | | 17 | HUD — Cabinet Minute, Review of Retirement Villages Act 2003 | https://www.hud.govt.nz/documents/cabinet-minute-review-of-the-retirement-villages-act-2003-approval-to-release-discussion-paper-swc-23-min-0091-minute-no-redactions | 9 Jun 2026 | | 18 | Retirement Commission — Annual Report 2023 (mentions Woods) | https://assets.retirement.govt.nz/public/Uploads/Annual-Report/TAAO-RC-Annual-Report-2023.pdf | 9 Jun 2026 | | 19 | Newsroom — Scrutiny Week (Woods on committee dignity) | https://newsroom.co.nz/2024/06/20/frustration-and-fact-checking-marks-scrutiny-week-mid-point/ | 9 Jun 2026 | | 20 | Scoop — Govt's Energy Plan Won't Cut Power Bills (Woods statement) | https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA2510/S00005/govts-energy-plan-wont-cut-power-bills.htm | 9 Jun 2026 | | 21 | Parliament.nz — Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust Bill | https://bills.parliament.nz/v/6/3805f52f-1a53-4cb3-6112-08de3c2f4452 | 9 Jun 2026 | | 22 | OCHT — Trust Variation Bill introduced | https://www.ocht.org.nz/news/p3xqli0akywmwqb84fi92zy4d1y0yn | 9 Jun 2026 | | 23 | Facebook — Woods at Summerset Wigram | https://www.facebook.com/MeganWoodsWigram/posts/great-to-join-residents-at-summerset-wigram-yesterday-for-a-really-engaging-meet/1381161450488576/ | 9 Jun 2026 | | 24 | Facebook — Woods with disability community team | https://www.facebook.com/MeganWoodsWigram/posts/this-morning-tracey-mclellan-mp-and-i-popped-in-to-see-that-team-gathering-for-t/868560038415389/ | 9 Jun 2026 | | 25 | Instagram — @megancwoods | https://www.instagram.com/megancwoods/ | 9 Jun 2026 | | 26 | The Spinoff — "Megan Woods, the minister for everything" (1 Aug 2020) | https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/01-08-2020/megan-woods-the-minister-for-everything | 9 Jun 2026 | | 27 | Carbon News — Labour vows to reinstate oil and gas ban (6 Aug 2025) | https://www.carbonnews.co.nz/news/35126/labour-vows-to-reinstate-oil-and-gas-ban | 9 Jun 2026 | | 28 | Parliament.nz — Finance and Expenditure Committee | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finance_and_Expenditure_Committee | 9 Jun 2026 | | 29 | Scoop — Oral Questions 13 August 2025 | https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA2508/S00099/oral-questions-questions-to-ministers-sitting-date-13-august-2025.htm | 9 Jun 2026 | --- _Profile generated by Hermes Agent — NZ Seniors Knowledge Base cron job. Every factual claim is sourced. No private personal details included. Profile is for intelligence and monitoring purposes only._