Chris Bishop

Chris is in his fourth term as a Member of Parliament, and the first National MP to ever hold the electorate seat of Hutt South. In the National-led Coalition Government, he holds the Ministerial portfolios of Housing, Transport, Infrastructure, and RMA Reform. He is also the Attorney-General and an Associate Minister of Finance.

When National was in Opposition, Chris served at various times as National’s Spokesperson for Housing, COVID-19, Urban Development, Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Police, and Youth. He was the Shadow Leader of the House from 2020-2023 and National’s Chair for the 2023 Election Campaign.

Chris was born and raised in Lower Hutt, attending Eastern Hutt School, Hutt Intermediate and Hutt International Boys’ School. He has a first class Honours degree in Law and a Bachelor of Arts from Victoria University of Wellington, and has been admitted to the Bar as a barrister and solicitor.

Before serving as an MP, he worked in behind-the-scenes roles at Parliament including as a researcher for the National Party in opposition, and an Advisor to Ministers Gerry Brownlee and Steven Joyce in the former National-led Government. He also worked as a Corporate Affairs Manager for Philip Morris New Zealand.

Before entering public life, Chris was a champion university debater and mooter, winning tournaments around the world including at the Cambridge Union, the University of Sydney, as well as in New Zealand. He was the 2006 Young Wellingtonian of the Year.

A member’s bill in Chris’ name, the Compensation for Live Organ Donors’ Act 2016, passed Parliament unanimously in 2016. The Act significantly increases the financial assistance provided by the government to those who altruistically donate organs to others.

Chris and his wife Jenna live in Days Bay, Eastbourne with their son Jeremy and daughter Matilda, their friendly samoyed Ladyhawke and their beautiful cat Ziggy.

He is a former co-captain of the “BlackBenchers”, the NZ Parliamentary Cricket Team. He loves good coffee, good BBQ brisket, red wine, and rock music.