Carl Bates

Born, raised and educated in Whanganui, Carl Bates was elected MP for the Whanganui Electorate in 2023. Carl has made clear his intention to advocate for all constituents including the districts of Whanganui, South Taranaki and Stratford. In the 54th Parliament Carl has been elected as Deputy Chairman of the Education and Workforce Select Committee and serves as a member of the Justice Committee.  

A Chartered Accountant by profession, Carl was appointed to his first directorship role at the age of 18 when he was appointed as an independent director of a non-profit aged care facility whilst still at university. This was a critical moment in his career, defining his work for the next 20 years. By the age of 20 Carl had also been appointed to the board of Arena Manawatu and elected to the Council of UCOL. 

Two years later Carl was appointed Acting CEO of Quality Health New Zealand with a brief to turn the organisation around. He subsequently set up his own business and spent a number of years both in New Zealand and overseas, predominantly in Africa. This led to opportunities to serve as director and chairman of a wide range of international businesses in the primary industries and animal health, food safety and manufacturing, retail and education, giving Carl significant real-world experience and skills. 

Carl was named the Young Business Person of the Year at the 2016 Wellington Regional Business Excellence awards and in 2022 became one of the youngest Chartered Fellows of the Institute of Directors in New Zealand. In 2025 he was elected as a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand.   

Returning to New Zealand in late 2020, Carl and his wife Candice reflected on the economic headwinds New Zealand was facing and decided the time had come to make a commitment to New Zealand’s future. Carl turned a deficit of 8191 votes in 2020 to a National majority of 5512 votes, turning Whanganui Blue again. 

Carl, Candice, their sons Angus and Logan and daughter Bonnie-Ann live in Whanganui. Candice is a veterinary surgeon working in a rural practice. Carl regards being elected to represent the people of Whanganui, South Taranaki and Stratford as an absolute privilege and works hard to make the voices of the people of this region heard in Wellington. He will also be campaigning in the Ruapehu District, which will become part of the Whanganui Electorate at the 2026 General Election.