Chris Bishop

Chris is in his fourth term as a Member of Parliament, and the first National MP to ever hold the seat of Hutt South. In the Coalition Government, he holds the Ministerial portfolios of Transport, Housing, Infrastructure, RMA Reform, Associate Sport and Recreation and Associate Finance. He is also the Leader of the House.

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 and was the Shadow Leader of the House from 2020-2023. He was National’s Chair for the 2023 Election Campaign.

Chris has served as both an electorate MP (2017 to 2020 and 2023 to today) and a List MP (2014 to 2017, 2020 to 2023) and on a variety of select committees including the Finance and Expenditure, Health, Justice, Regulations Review and Transport and Infrastructure committees.

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, as a researcher for the National Party in opposition, and an Advisor to Ministers 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.