Paula Bennett

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Paula Bennett
Paula Bennett in 2018.png
Bennett in 2018
18th Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand
In office
12 December 2016 26 October 2017

In May 2009, Bennett appointed the controversial Christine Rankin as Families Commissioner; her term ended in 2013. [52]

Job numbers claims

In November 2012, a week after unemployment was reported at 7.3 percent – a 13-year high – Bennett read out job listings in Parliament, claiming there were "300 jobs" available at retailer The Warehouse, if anyone wanted them, as well as 40 jobs at retailer Bunnings. The Warehouse refuted this claim, saying it only had 30 jobs available, and Bunnings only had three advertised. [53]

Gun control

In October 2017, prior to the Christchurch mosque shootings, Bennett rejected 12 of 20 recommendations from a select committee inquiry into the illegal possession of firearms. [54] This decision was criticised at the time by New Zealand's Police Association president Chris Cahill who lamented to news website Stuff that "the opportunity was missed and you know what it's going to take to bring it on the table again, and unfortunately that's a tragedy." [55]

Personal life

Bennett married Alan Philps in 2012. [56] Philps keeps a low public profile and was mentioned by Bennett in October 2016. [57] [8] Philps did not appear in photographs from Bennett's swearing-in ceremony at Government House, Wellington, on 12 December 2016, but her daughter, granddaughter and stepdaughter did. [56] [58] After her announced retirement at the New Zealand 2020 general election, Bennett says she plans to venture into the business world. [59]

In late 2017 Bennett announced she had undergone gastric bypass surgery for weight loss. In November 2018 she stated she had lost 50 kilograms (110 lb) over the previous year. [60] [8]

Public image

For several years Bennett appeared on TV One's Breakfast with friend and Labour MP Darren Hughes. [61] [62]

In January 2009, Bennett broke up a fight between 30 teenagers at her local shopping mall in Henderson before police arrived, earning praise as a "tough lady." She also arranged community networking to address the underlying issues. [63]

In March 2010, Bennett accepted an Eisenhower Fellowship. The prestigious six week fellowship in the United States was awarded to only 20 women around the world who were identified as outstanding leaders. [64]

In November 2020 she was named one of the best dressed women on David Hartnell MNZM's Best Dressed List. [65]

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References

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New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Waitakere
2008–2014
Constituency abolished
New constituency Member of Parliament for Upper Harbour
2014–2020
Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by Deputy Leader of the National Party
2016–2020
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Minister for Disability Issues
2008–2009
Succeeded by
Minister of Social Development and Employment
2008–2014
Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister for Youth Affairs
2008–2013
Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister of Local Government
2014–2016
Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister of State Services
2014–2017
Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister for Climate Change Issues
2015–2017
Succeeded by
Preceded by Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand
2016–2017
Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister for Women
2016–2017
Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister of Tourism
2016–2017
Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister of Police
2016–2017
Succeeded by
Preceded by Deputy Leader of the Opposition
2017–2020
Succeeded by