Todd McClay

Todd McClay is the Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Forestry, Minister for Trade and Investment (promoted as New Zealand’s first Minister for Foreign Direct Investment within the trade portfolio), and Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs. He was also the first-ever Minister for Hunting and Fishing, though he no longer holds that portfolio.

He was first elected to Parliament in 2008, winning the Rotorua seat from the Labour Government with a majority of more than 5,000 votes. He has since been re-elected in 2011, 2014, 2017, 2020, and 2023—making him the first MP in more than 25 years to be elected for six consecutive terms in Rotorua.

In 2017, he achieved the highest vote and majority in the history of the Rotorua electorate at that time. In 2023, he secured the highest majority in the history of the seat, with 8,923 votes over his nearest opponent (19,339 votes to 10,416).

Mr McClay has served as a Cabinet Minister in two National-led governments, holding portfolios including Minister of Trade, Minister of State-Owned Enterprises, and Minister of Revenue. He has also been Associate Minister of Health, Associate Minister of Tourism, Associate Minister of Trade, and Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Since entering Parliament, he has chaired the Finance and Expenditure Committee and the Commerce Committee, served as Deputy Chairman of the Social Services Committee, and been a member of the Law and Order Committee, the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee, and the Primary Industries Committee.

Before entering politics, Mr McClay worked as a diplomat, serving as the Cook Islands and Niue Ambassador to the European Union. He has extensive experience in business in Europe, as well as in government and international public relations.

During this term, he has concluded significant trade agreements with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and India, delivering major market access gains for New Zealand exporters.

Mr McClay lives in Rotorua with his partner Anna and their family. He maintains electorate offices in Te Puke and Rotorua, where he holds regular constituent meetings to support local residents.