Kieran McAnulty

Suzanne McNally

​

​

(m. 2011;div. 2018)​

Gia Garrick

​

(m. 2023)​

The Honourable Kieran McAnulty MP
McAnulty in 2023
20th Minister of Local Government
In office 1 February 2023 –27 November 2023
Residence(s)	Masterton, New Zealand
Alma mater	University of Otago
Profession	Politician

Kieran Michael McAnulty is a New Zealand politician. He was first elected to the New Zealand House of Representatives in 2017, representing the New Zealand Labour Party. He was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Wairarapa between 2020 and 2023, and is currently a list MP.

McAnulty was the Senior Whip of the Labour Party during part of the term of the Sixth Labour Government. He later served as that government's Minister of Local Government, Minister for Emergency Management, Minister for Racing and Deputy Leader of the House. ^[1]

Early life and family

McAnulty was born in Eketāhuna in 1985, and was adopted by Marie (née Monaghan) and Mike McAnulty. ^{[2] [3] [4] [5]} Their families have lived in the Wairarapa area for more than 170 years, with his great grandmother's great grandfather, Henry Burling, arriving as an early settler in what is now the town of Featherston. ^[6] The McAnulty family is a historically "staunch" family of Labour Party supporters, although his mother's family included some National Party supporters. ^{[2] [7]} Ted McAnulty, Kieran's great-grandfather, ("the only Labour-voting cockie in Eketāhuna" ^[8] ) was the campaign manager for a Labour candidate running against Prime Minister Keith Holyoake in the Pahiatua electorate, at that time a safe National seat. John Monaghan, the former chair of Fonterra, is his mother's cousin. ^[2]

McAnulty was raised Catholic. ^[9] He attended St Mary's School in Carterton, St Patrick's School in Masterton, and Chanel College, where he was head boy in 2002. ^{[10] [11]} He went on to the University of Otago where he completed a Bachelor of Arts, Postgraduate Diploma in Arts and Master of Arts in politics. ^[12] His 2011 master's thesis was titled "The role of political positioning in party performance in the 2008 New Zealand General Election." ^[13] He has previously worked for the T.A.B. as a bookmaker covering the racing industry and an economic development advisor for the Masterton District Council. ^{[6] [14]} He has been a volunteer firefighter. ^[11]

He met his first wife, Suzanne McNally, while traveling in her home country of Ireland on an overseas experience. ^[11] They married in 2011 and later divorced. ^{[6] [8] [7]} McAnulty married his second wife, the former prime minister's press secretary Gia Garrick, in January 2024. ^{[2] [15] [16]}

Member of Parliament

New Zealand Parliament

Years	Term	Electorate	List	Party
2017 –2020	52nd	List	38		Labour
2020 –2023	53rd	Wairarapa	26		Labour
2023 –present	54th	List	16		Labour

2014 election candidacy

McAnulty stood in the North Island electorate of Wairarapa at the 2014 election, but was defeated by National's Alastair Scott. ^[17] He had previously been offered the Wairarapa candidacy in 2011, but declined. ^[14]

First term, 2017–2020

McAnulty stood for Labour in Wairarapa again in the 2017 election. Although he reduced Scott's majority, he failed to win the electorate. He instead entered Parliament via the party list, where he had been ranked 38. ^{[18] [19]}

In November 2017 he was appointed Labour's junior whip. ^[20] In his first term, he served on the primary production committee. ^[1] His maiden statement, given on 16 November 2017, focused on the values of fairness and equality. ^[6]

McAnulty reads the oath of allegiance at his appointment to the Executive Council, at Government House, Wellington, on 14 June 2022. Watching on are the prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, and Michael Webster, clerk of the Executive Council.

On 25 September 2019, McAnulty was ejected from Parliament by the Speaker of the House Trevor Mallard for making disparaging remarks about National Party leader Simon Bridges during a Parliamentary debate about Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's meeting with US President Donald Trump. Mallard also ejected New Zealand First MP Shane Jones for similar disruptive behaviour. ^[21]

McAnulty became well-known for his distinctive, run-down red 1997 Mazda Bounty ute. In his maiden speech, he described how it is missing a back door; ^[6] later, it was reported "the radio sometimes falls out and the heater doesn’t work" and the ute, which had not been able to drive faster than "110kmh in a decade" and had gone further than 463,000 kilometers. ^{[3] [22] [23]} In September 2016, McAnulty wrestled to the ground a car thief who was trying to steal the ute in Masterton. ^[24] He attracted media attention when he chauffeured Ardern in the ute during the 2020 election campaign and, after the election, when he sold it for charity and replaced it with a 2021 Mitsubishi hybrid electric Outlander. ^{[3] [22] [23]}

Second term, 2020–2023

McAnulty in 2020

In the 2020 New Zealand general election, McAnulty contested the Wairarapa electorate for Labour, winning by a margin of 6,545 votes over new candidate Mike Butterick. ^[25] On 2 November 2020, following the election, the Labour caucus elected McAnulty as its chief whip. ^[26]

In August 2022, McAnulty was implicated in bullying accusations by fellow Labour MP Gaurav Sharma. Sharma accused McAnulty of "gaslighting me, shouting at me, degrading me in front of caucus members and other attendees at events and telling me that I was a terrible MP". ^[27] The Labour Party, including Ardern, ^[27] rejected the claims. ^[28]

In January 2023, McAnulty claimed he was advised by parliamentary security to stop advertising the availability of his mobile office in his electorate because of death threats against him. ^[29]

In a June 2022 reshuffle, McAnulty was appointed as Minister for Racing and Minister for Emergency Management, outside Cabinet, as well an associate minister in the local government and transport portfolios. ^[30] McAnulty joined the executive at a "uniquely challenging time" for local government, according to prime minister Jacinda Ardern, due to tensions and challenges related to the government's reforms in the portfolio on top of localised emergencies. ^[31] He completed a tour of visits to New Zealand's to 54 rural and provincial councils in his first five months. ^[32] He led the passage of the Local Electoral (Advertising) Amendment Act 2022 on behalf of the Minister of Local Government, Nanaia Mahuta. ^{[33] [34]}

Following a cabinet reshuffle that occurred on 31 January 2023, McAnulty was promoted into Cabinet and succeeded Mahuta as the local government minister. ^[35] New prime minister Chris Hipkins also confirmed that the Three Waters reform programme (which falls under the Local Government portfolio) would continue. ^[36] McAnulty continued as Minister for Racing and was also appointed Minister for Rural Communities and Deputy Leader of the House. ^[37] He picked up the Minister for Regional Development role after Kiri Allan resigned from Cabinet in July 2023. ^[38]

On 14 February 2023, McAnulty, in his capacity as Minister of Emergency Management, declared a national state of emergency over the Northland, Auckland, Tairawhiti, Bay of Plenty, Waikato and Hawke's Bay regions in response to Cyclone Gabrielle. This marked the third time a state of emergency had been declared over the country. ^{[39] [40]}

As Minister of Local Government, McAnulty announced a major overhaul of the Government's Three Waters reform programme, which was renamed the Water Services Reform Programme. The proposed four water services entities were expanded into ten entities but will retain the same split co-governance structure consisting of representatives of local councils and mana whenua representatives. ^[41] He defended the retention of the Government's water infrastructure programme, stating that simply ditching it would be "dumping our duty." McAnulty also defended the programme's co-governance element, stating that Māori people have a special interest in water that has been established by the Treaty of Waitangi and the court system. ^{[42] [43]} He defended accusations that the co-governance element is "anti-democratic" by saying that "in each democratic system, there are specific factors that are unique to each country." ^[44] Newsroom reported that McAnulty received praise "for 'cutting to the chase' and explaining in simple terms that the reforms are first and foremost about cost savings." ^[45] He received the report of the Future for Local Government review established by his predecessor, but declined to commit to its recommendations before the 2023 general election. ^[46]

Third term, 2023–present

During the 2023 New Zealand general election, McAnulty was unseated in Wairarapa by the National Party's Mike Butterick. ^{[47] [48]} He returned to Parliament on the Labour Party list. ^[49] After the election, he was promoted to seventh in the Shadow Cabinet of Chris Hipkins and became the party's spokesperson for housing, regional development and local government. ^[50]

On 5 December 2023, McAnulty was granted retention of the title The Honourable , in recognition of his term as a member of the Executive Council. ^[51]

In June 2024, The Post reported that McAnulty was claiming a NZ$36,400 annual housing allowance to rent a Lower Hutt flat from his wife. McAnulty resided at the flat while Parliament is in session. In addition, McAnulty owned a four-bedroom, NZ$655,000 home in Masterton, which is about one hour and 40 minute drive away from Wellington. ^[52]

Political views

McAnulty identifies as a socialist ^{[53] [54]} and supports a New Zealand republic, with a local head of state. ^[20] McAnulty was previously treasurer of the New Zealand Republic campaign before entering parliament. ^[55]

McAnulty, despite his Catholic faith, is in favour of legalised same-sex marriage ^[9] and more open abortion laws. He stated in Parliament when debating the Abortion Legislation Bill: "I was raised that my religious views are mine only. So I will not use my vote today to impose any particular view that I may have to prevent the choice of a woman to make on her own body." ^[56]

McAnulty is in favour of decriminalising cannabis, and has admitted to smoking cannabis twice. ^{[57] [58]} He voted "yes" in both the 2020 New Zealand cannabis referendum and the 2020 New Zealand euthanasia referendum. ^[8] Regarding the conflict between his Catholic religion and support for euthanasia, he said: "Not everyone believes in God. And as long as we have a structure in place that allows people to pursue their own personal beliefs, then how dare they impose their views on others?" ^[8]

References

1. "McAnulty, Kieran – New Zealand Parliament". www.parliament.nz. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
2. "Kieran McAnulty – why the Wairarapa MP is rural to the core". NZ Herald. 30 November 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
3. Cooke, Henry (18 September 2020). "Jacinda Ardern makes big push for Labour win in Wairarapa". Stuff . Retrieved 18 September 2020.
4. Manch, Thomas (29 October 2020). "A Cabinet to fill: Who will take the top jobs in the new Labour Government?". Stuff. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
5. "McAnulty, Kieran; Mallard, Trevor – New Zealand Parliament". www.parliament.nz. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
6. "Address in Reply – Kieren McAnulty". New Zealand Parliament. 16 November 2017. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
7. "McAnulty throws hat into Wairarapa electorate". NZ Herald. 30 November 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
8. Hewitson, Michele (13 February 2021). "The Bogan Whip". New Zealand Listener . pp. 28–31.
9. McAnulty, Kieran (26 September 2012). "Where is Christian compassion?". Stuff. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
10. "McAnulty backs schools plan – New Zealand News". NZ Herald. 30 November 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
11. Wills, Bevan (21 September 2017). "Homegrown, eager to serve". Wairarapa Times-Age. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
12. "Graduate Search". University of Otago . Retrieved 15 April 2023.
13. McAnulty, Kieran (2011). The role of political positioning in party performance in the 2008 New Zealand General Election (Masters thesis). OUR Archive, University of Otago. hdl:10523/618.
14. Fuller, Piers (10 October 2017). "A young Wairarapa MP shows a natural flair for politics". Stuff . Retrieved 10 October 2017.
15. "The PM's inner circle: Meet Chris Hipkins' work family". NZ Herald. 30 November 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
16. Moore, Rachel (11 January 2024). "The clash of the political weddings as Jacinda Ardern and Kieran McAnulty tie the knot (separately)". Stuff. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
17. "Official Count Results – Wairarapa". Electoral Commission. 10 October 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
18. "Revised Labour Party List for the 2017 Election". Scoop.co.nz. 15 August 2017. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
19. "Successful Candidates". Electoral Commission. 23 September 2017. Archived from the original on 28 September 2017. Retrieved 30 September 2017.
20. Bennett, Lucy (8 January 2019). "Meet the Backbenchers: Kieran McAnulty". The New Zealand Herald . Retrieved 9 August 2020.
21. Small, Zane (25 September 2019). "Labour MP Kieran McAnulty booted from House for mocking Simon Bridges". Newshub . Archived from the original on 30 December 2019. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
22. "Labour's McAnulty swapping famous red ute for hybrid wagon". 1 News. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
23. Fuller, Piers (20 September 2021). "Labour MP Kieran McAnulty's famous old red ute put out to pasture". Stuff. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
24. "Labour young gun tackles thief to the ground in the middle of the Masterton". Stuff . 29 September 2016. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
25. "Wairarapa – Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
26. "Wairarapa MP elected chief government whip". The New Zealand Herald . 5 November 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
27. Sowman-Lund, Stewart (12 August 2022). "PM rejects bullying claims made by MP Sharma". The Spinoff. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
28. Coughlan, Thomas (12 August 2022). "Labour MP unleashes fresh allegations of misuse of taxpayer funds and incompetent staff". NZ Herald. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
29. "MP to stop advertising mobile offices in his electorate due to 'death threats'". NZ Herald. 1 December 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
30. Manch, Thomas (13 June 2022). "Labour's new Cabinet – who's in, who's out, as Trevor Mallard and Kris Faafoi resign". Stuff.co.nz . Retrieved 13 June 2022.
31. "'Uniquely challenging time' for local government – Prime Minister". RNZ. 20 July 2022. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
32. Nealon, Kelly (7 November 2022). "Minister McAnulty completes councils tour". Inside Government NZ. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
33. "McAnulty, Kieran – New Zealand Parliament". www.parliament.nz. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
34. "Local Electoral (Advertising) Amendment Bill — Third Reading – New Zealand Parliament". www.parliament.nz. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
35. Neilson, Michael (31 January 2023). "Cabinet reshuffle: Prime Minister Chris Hipkins unveils new line-up; Government response to Auckland flooding". The New Zealand Herald . Archived from the original on 31 January 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
36. Desmarais, Felix (31 January 2023). "Cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out?". 1 News . TVNZ. Archived from the original on 1 February 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
37. Witton, Bridie (31 January 2023). "Prime Minister Chris Hipkins reveals his new Cabinet". Stuff. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
38. "McAnulty named Regional Development Minister". www.ruralnewsgroup.co.nz. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
39. McAnulty, Kieran (14 February 2023). "State of National Emergency Declared". Beehive.govt.nz. New Zealand Government. Archived from the original on 14 February 2023. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
40. "Cyclone Gabrielle: New Zealand declares state of emergency". BBC News . 14 February 2023. Archived from the original on 13 February 2023. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
41. "Major shakeup will see affordable water reforms led and delivered locally". Beehive.govt.nz. New Zealand Government. 13 April 2023. Archived from the original on 13 April 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
42. Quinlivan, Mark (14 April 2023). "Kieran McAnulty defends not ditching Three Waters earlier, says 'that'd be dumping our duty'". Newshub . Archived from the original on 17 April 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
43. "Three Waters reset: McAnulty explains why co-governance stays". 1 News . TVNZ. 16 April 2023. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
44. "Kieran McAnulty: It's the right thing to do". E-Tangata. 22 April 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
45. Moir, Jo (18 April 2023). "Kieran McAnulty – Eketāhuna's straight-shooting MP". Newsroom. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
46. "Future for Local Government review: What you need to know". RNZ. 21 June 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
47. "Mike Butterick to replace Kieran McAnulty as Wairarapa MP". 1 News . 15 October 2023. Archived from the original on 14 October 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
48. "Wairarapa – Official Result". Electoral Commission. 3 November 2023. Archived from the original on 8 December 2023. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
49. "2023 General Election – Successful Candidates". Electoral Commission. 3 November 2023. Archived from the original on 7 December 2023. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
50. "Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins reveals new shadow Cabinet". Radio New Zealand . 30 November 2023. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
51. "Retention of the title "The Honourable"". New Zealand Gazette . 8 December 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
52. Vance, Andrea (11 June 2024). "Labour's Kieran McAnulty claims housing perk to live in wife's apartment". The Post . Archived from the original on 13 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
53. Vance, Andrea (23 May 2021). "As Labour looks to its historic foundations, National needs to start letting go of the past". Stuff. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
54. "The New Zealand "Socialists" Who Govern Like Neoliberals". jacobinmag.com. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
55. "Wairarapa Labour man calls for republic vote". The New Zealand Herald . Retrieved 13 June 2021.
56. "Abortion Legislation Bill — Third Reading". New Zealand Parliament. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
57. "Joint views not shared". Times Age. 4 December 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
58. "Meet the Backbenchers: Kieran McAnulty". The New Zealand Herald . Retrieved 13 June 2021.

External links

• Media related to Kieran McAnulty at Wikimedia Commons

New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by Alastair Scott	Member of Parliament for Wairarapa 2020–2023	Succeeded by Mike Butterick
Political offices
Preceded by Kiri Allan	Minister for Emergency Management 2022–2023	Succeeded by Mark Mitchell
Preceded by Grant Robertson	Minister for Racing 2022–2023	Succeeded by Winston Peters
Preceded by Nanaia Mahuta	Minister of Local Government 2023	Succeeded by Simeon Brown
Preceded by Damien O'Connor	Minister for Rural Communities 2023	Succeeded by Mark Patterson
Party political offices
Preceded by Michael Wood	Senior Whip of the Labour Party 2020–2022	Succeeded by Duncan Webb