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David Seymour
ACT New Zealand

David Seymour

Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Regulation

Electorate: Epsom

Before Politics

  • β—†Electrical engineer
  • β—†Worked for conservative think tanks in Canada
  • β—†Involved in legislation enabling Partnership (Charter) Schools

Parliamentary Career

  • β—†MP for Epsom since 2014 β€” entered as ACT's sole MP
  • β—†Leader of ACT since 2014
  • β—†Parliamentary Under-Secretary under John Key government
  • β—†Deputy Prime Minister from May 2025 (shared role with Winston Peters until then)
  • β—†Minister for Regulation since 2023 β€” first ever holder of this portfolio

Key Positions

  • β†’Free market economics and reduced government
  • β†’Treaty Principles Bill β€” redefine Treaty of Waitangi principles via referendum
  • β†’Charter schools and education choice
  • β†’Individual freedom and personal responsibility
  • β†’Reduce Parliament from 120 to 100 MPs

Accomplishments

  • βœ“Passed End of Life Choice Act β€” landmark euthanasia legislation after years of advocacy
  • βœ“Grew ACT from 1 seat in 2014 to 11 seats in 2023
  • βœ“Passed Regulatory Standards Act 2025
  • βœ“Appeared on Dancing with the Stars β€” finished 5th
  • βœ“Raised $60,000 for Prostate Cancer Foundation with Jacinda Ardern after she told him to 'go home'

Controversies

  • !Treaty Principles Bill sparked nationwide protests and a parliamentary haka β€” voted down 11-112 in April 2025
  • !Publicly contradicted PM Luxon multiple times β€” tensions within coalition
  • !Instructed Pharmac to stop considering Treaty of Waitangi in decisions
  • !Cancelled school lunch programme review β€” critics argued it harmed low-income children
  • !Has partial Māori ancestry but opposes Māori co-governance arrangements

Bio Summary

Deputy PM and Minister for Regulation; architect of ACT's libertarian platform and author of the controversial Treaty Principles Bill.

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