Simeon Brown

Last updated

New Zealand Parliament
Simeon Brown
MP
BROWN, Simeon - Pakuranga (cropped).png
Brown in 2023
29th Minister of Transport
Assumed office
27 November 2023
YearsTermElectorateListParty
2017 2020 52nd Pakuranga 60 National
2020 2023 53rd Pakuranga37 National
2023 present 54th Pakuranga9 National

First term, 2017–2020

Brown stood in the electorate of Pakuranga during the 2017 general election. The seat is a National Party safe seat - at the time Brown's predecessor Maurice Williamson had held it since 1987. Brown was selected as the National Party's candidate to replace Williamson after he decided not to seek re-election. [15] Brown was elected with a majority of 14,886 votes. [16]

In February 2018, a private member's bill introduced by Brown was drawn from the ballot. The Bill would ensure that anyone who supplies drugs prohibited by the Psychoactive Substances Act 2013 receives a penalty consistent with the penalty prescribed for supplying a Class C Drug. [17] The Bill was strongly supported by family members of synthetic cannabis victim Calum Jones [18] but voted down by Parliament. [19]

Brown voted against the Abortion Legislation Act 2020, which effectively sought to remove abortion from the Crimes Act 1961. [20] Stuff political reporter Henry Cooke described the MP as "one of the most socially conservative MPs in [the National Party]". [21] He voted against the Bill prohibiting homosexual conversion therapy. [22]

Second term, 2020–2023

During the 2020 New Zealand general election, Brown was re-elected in Pakuranga by a large margin of 10,050 votes, [23] making Pakuranga the safest seat for National in terms of the candidate vote.

In the November 2020 caucus reshuffle, led by National's leader Judith Collins, Brown was admitted to the Shadow Cabinet, ranking 20 on the National Party's list, and is now holding four shadow portfolios in Police, Serious Fraud Office, Youth and Corrections. [24]

In early May 2021, Brown received several death threats following his criticism of Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson visiting a hui held by the Waikato Mongrel Mob. He had claimed that her visit was an insult to victims of gang-related crime. [25] In late May, Brown also received several threatening messages from Mongrel Mob members after he criticised a funeral procession in a tweet for allegedly taking over a road in Hawke's Bay. These comments were passed onto the Police. [26] Louise Hutchinson, the Public Liaison for the Waikato Mongrel Mob Kingdom, accused Brown of cultural insensitivity and of using gangs as a "politicking tool." Hutchinson also said that the Waikato Mongrel Mob Kingdom had repeatedly invited Brown and the National Party to meet with them but that these invitations had been declined. [27]

In February 2022, Brown was one of only eight MPs to vote against the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Act 2022. [28]

In June 2022, Brown was caught in a controversy where he liked a Facebook post by fellow MP Simon O'Connor which expressed it was a "good day" following Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization's overturn of US Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade, which curtailed abortion rights in the US. Brown later apologised for liking O'Connor's post. [29] [30]

On 19 January 2023, Brown was allocated the new Auckland issues portfolio in Party leader Christopher Luxon's shadow cabinet. [31]

On 27 May 2023, Brown stated during a Bay of Plenty meeting about transport infrastructure that introducing bilingual road signs in English and Māori would create confusion and that "they should all be in English." He made these remarks when he was asked his opinion on Waka Kotahi (NZ Transport Agency's) proposal to introduce bilingual road signs. [32] Brown's remarks drew criticism from Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, who suggested that the National Party was dog whistling on Waka Kotahi's bilingual road sign programme. In response to criticism, fellow National MP Chris Bishop stated that National had no problems with bilingualism but opined that the agency should focus on repairing potholes and upgrading roads rather than bilingual road signs. [33] [34] Several Māori National MPs including Tama Potaka, Harete Hipango, and Shane Reti expressed disagreement with Brown, stating that they had no objections to bilingual road signs. [35]

Third term, 2023present

During the 2023 New Zealand general election, Brown retained Pakuranga by a margin of 18,710 votes, defeating Labour's Nerissa Henry. [36] Following the formation of the National-led coalition government in late November 2023, he was appointed as Minister of Energy, Minister of Local Government, Minister of Transport, Minister for Auckland, and Deputy leader of the House. [37]

Energy

On 30 April 2024, Brown confirmed that the Government would invest in 25 new high speed electric vehicle charging facilities along key routes between major urban centres. [38]

Transport

On 4 December 2023 Brown, in his capacity as Transport Minister, ordered that the transport agency Waka Kotahi give primacy to its English name "New Zealand Transport Agency." [39] [40] On 12 December Brown also confirmed that the Government would be keeping its election promise to abolish blanket speed limits on roads and highways. He also announced that he would write to inform Road Controlling Authorities about the changes and new rule. [41] On 21 March, Brown confirmed that Cabinet was developing new rules to replace the so-called "Nanny state" speed limit reductions of the previous Labour Government. [42]

On 16 December Brown, in his capacity as Transport Minister, instructed the New Zealand Transport Agency to halt the Transport Choices Programme which involved funding and working with various local council projects to promote cycling, walking and public transportation. [43] In early November 2023, the Transport Agency had unilaterally halted funding for the Transport Choices Programme amidst coalition talks to form the next National-led government. [44] Notable projects affected by the Government's transportation policy change included the "Let's Get Wellington Moving" programme. [45] On 14 January 2024, Brown confirmed the cancellation of Auckland light rail, stating that the cost of the project was unsustainable for taxpayers. [46]

On 19 March 2024, Brown confirmed that the Government would reduce the proposed road user charge on hybrid vehicles from NZ$53 per 1,000km to NZ$38. Earlier, the Parliamentary transport select committee had adopted a Labour and Green proposal to reduce the road user charge for hybrid vehicles to NZ$38 against the wishes of committee chair and NZ First MP Andy Foster. [47] Earlier in January 2024, Brown had announced that the Government would implement road user charges on both electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids from 1 April 2024. [48]

On 9 July 2024, Brown announced that the Government would ease Clean Car Standard Rules to comply with Australian fuel efficiency standards. In response clean car lobby group "Drive Electric" said that weakening fuel efficiency standards would lead to high petrol and diesel prices. [49] On 12 July, Brown announced that the Government would be introducing measures to reduce "excessive" road cone usage and to ease temporary traffic management costs. [50]

On 2 September 2024, Brown launched the Government's National Land Transport Programme, which invested NZ$32.9 billion in building 17 "Roads of National Significance" over the next three years. Brown also confirmed that the Government would invest NZ$6.4 billion from this sum into several public infrastructure projects including the City Rail Link, Eastern Busway, Northwest Rapid Transit Corridor, Auckland Airport to Botany Busway, and the Lower North Island Rail Integrated Mobility. [51] On 19 September, Brown announced that the Government would roll out new data collection vans to assess the condition of New Zealand roads and prevent potholes. [52]

On 5 October, Brown announced the Government's NZ$226 million roads resilience package to reduce the impact of severe weather events on roads and highways. [53]

Local Government

On 14 December 2023 Brown, in his capacity as Local Government Minister, confirmed that the Government would introduce legislation in early 2024 to repeal the outgoing Labour Government's Water Services Reform Programme and introduce its own water reform programme. [54] [55] According to media organisation Newsroom, the Government planned to create a new type of financial separate council-owned organisations to finance water and wastewater infrastructure. Instead of the ten proposed water service entities, local councils would be responsible for complying with water regulation rules and water infrastructural investment. [56]

On 26 January 2024, Brown confirmed that the Government would halt plans to progress legislation introduced by the previous Labour Government to lower the voting age to 16 years for local government elections. [57] [58]

On 14 February Brown, as Local Government Minister, introduced legislation repealing the previous Labour Government's Three Waters reform programme under urgency. [59] Brown also announced that the Government would introduce two new laws in 2024 and 2025 rolling its own "Local Water Done Well" programme, which would emphasise local control over water infrastructure and services. [60]

On 4 April 2024, Brown announced that local and regional councils which introduced Māori wards without polling residents would have to hold referendums during the 2025 local elections or dissolve the wards they had established prior to the 2025 local elections. Brown also announced that the government would introduce legislation restoring the requirement for local councils to hold referenda on Māori wards by the end of July 2024. [61] This bill passed on 30 July 2024. [62] [63]

On 5 May 2024 Brown and Mayor of Auckland Wayne Brown jointly announced that Auckland would avoid a 25.8 percent rates increase as part of the Government's Local Water Done Well plan. [64]

On 8 August 2024, Brown announced that council-controlled organisations would be able to borrow money for water infrastructure from the Local Government Funding Agency. Under the Government's first Local Water Done Well legislation, local councils have a year to develop plans for funding water services they need and ensuring their financial sustainability. [65]

Personal life and public image

Brown is a Baptist Christian [1] who attends church regularly. [66] He lives in his electorate in Auckland with his wife Rebecca. Together they have three children. [67] [68] [69]

Brown is mocked on social media often. [70] [71] Despite their differing politics, Brown also developed a constructive relationship with Mayor of Wellington Tory Whanau. [5]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Auckland</span> Region of Auckland, New Zealand

South Auckland is one of the major geographical regions of Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand. The area is south of the Auckland isthmus, and on the eastern shores of the Manukau Harbour. The area has been populated by Tāmaki Māori since at least the 14th century, and has important archaeological sites, such as the Ōtuataua stonefield gardens at Ihumātao, and Māngere Mountain, a former pā site important to Waiohua tribes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Hawkins (politician)</span> New Zealand politician

George Warren Hawkins is a New Zealand local government politician and former Labour Party Member of Parliament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nanaia Mahuta</span> New Zealand politician (born 1970)

Nanaia Cybele Mahuta is a New Zealand former politician who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand from 2020 to 2023. A member of the New Zealand Labour Party, Mahuta served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for 27 years, at first for the party list and then for three different Māori electorates, latterly for Hauraki-Waikato. Mahuta served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 6 November 2020 to 11 November 2023. She received international recognition as the first woman to hold the Foreign Affairs portfolio. In October 2022, Mahuta became the Mother of the House, having served continuously in the House of Representatives since the 1996 general election. She lost her seat in parliament in the 2023 general election to Te Pāti Māori candidate Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, who was subsequently Baby of the House.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maurice Williamson</span> New Zealand politician

Maurice Donald Williamson is a New Zealand politician and former diplomat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pita Paraone</span> New Zealand politician (1945–2019)

Rewiti Pomare Kingi "Pita" Paraone was a New Zealand politician and chairman of the Waitangi National Trust Board. He was a member of the New Zealand First party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pakuranga</span> Suburb in Auckland, New Zealand

Pakuranga is an eastern suburb of Auckland, in northern New Zealand. Pakuranga covers a series of low ridges and previously swampy flats, now drained, that lie between the Pakuranga Creek and Tamaki River, two estuarial arms of the Hauraki Gulf. It is located to the north of Manukau and 15 kilometres southeast of the Auckland CBD.

Te Manatū WakaMinistry of Transport is the public service department of New Zealand charged with advising the New Zealand Government on transport policy. The Ministry works closely with other government transport partners, including the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) to advance their strategic objectives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pakuranga (New Zealand electorate)</span> Electoral district in Auckland, New Zealand

Pakuranga is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate. It gave the Social Credit Party one of its few MPs when Neil Morrison held the seat from 1984 to 1987, but otherwise the electorate seat has been held by the National Party since 1972. Its current MP is Simeon Brown who has held the electorate since the 2017 general election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Auckland</span> Largest city in New Zealand

Auckland is a large metropolitan city in the North Island of New Zealand. It has an urban population of about 1,531,400. It is located in the greater Auckland Region, the area governed by Auckland Council, which includes outlying rural areas and the islands of the Hauraki Gulf, and which has a total population of 1,798,300 as of June 2024. It is the most populous city of New Zealand and the fifth largest city in Oceania. While Europeans continue to make up the plurality of Auckland's population, the city became multicultural and cosmopolitan in the late-20th century, with Asians accounting for 34.9% of the city's population in 2023. Auckland has the fourth largest foreign-born population in the world, with 39% of its residents born overseas. With its sizable population of Pasifika New Zealanders, the city is also home to the largest ethnic Polynesian population in the world. The Māori-language name for Auckland is Tāmaki Makaurau, meaning "Tāmaki desired by many", in reference to the desirability of its natural resources and geography.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is a New Zealand Crown entity tasked with promoting safe and functional transport by land, including the responsibility for driver and vehicle licensing, and administering the New Zealand state highway network. Waka Kotahi means 'one vessel' and is intended to convey the concept of "travelling together as one".

Campbell Gordon Calder, known as Cam Calder, is a New Zealand doctor and former politician. He was a National Party Member of Parliament in the House of Representatives from 2009 to 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Local government in New Zealand</span> Overview of local government in New Zealand

New Zealand has a unitary system of government in which the authority of the central government defines sub-national entities. Local government in New Zealand has only the powers conferred upon it by the New Zealand Parliament. Under the Local Government Act 2002, local authorities are responsible for enabling democratic local decision-making and promoting the social, economic, environmental, and cultural well-being of their communities, as well as more specific functions for which they have delegated authority.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jami-Lee Ross</span> New Zealand politician

Jami-Lee Matenga Ross is a New Zealand businessman and former politician. He was the Member of Parliament for Botany from a by-election in March 2011 until he lost his re-election bid at the 2020 general election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Goldsmith (politician)</span> New Zealand politician

Paul Jonathan Goldsmith is a New Zealand historian and politician. The biographer of several leading right-wing political and business figures, he was first elected a list member of the New Zealand House of Representatives for the National Party at the 2011 election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parmjeet Parmar</span> New Zealand politician

Kushmiita Parmjeet Kaur Parmar is a New Zealand politician.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anahila Kanongata'a</span> New Zealand politician

Anahila Lose Kanongata'a is a New Zealand social worker and politician. She served as a Member of Parliament for the Labour Party from 2017 to 2023.

This page lists candidates contesting electorates in the 2020 New Zealand general election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arena Williams</span> New Zealand politician

Arena Hinekura Sherburd Williams is a New Zealand Labour Party politician. She has been a Member of Parliament in the House of Representatives for the Manurewa electorate since 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pasifika New Zealanders</span> Ethnic group in New Zealand

Pasifika New Zealanders are a pan-ethnic group of New Zealanders associated with, and descended from, the indigenous peoples of the Pacific Islands outside of New Zealand itself. They form the fourth-largest ethnic grouping in the country, after European descendants, indigenous Māori, and Asian New Zealanders. Over 380,000 people identify as being of Pacific origin, representing 8% of the country's population, with the majority residing in Auckland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wayne Brown (New Zealand politician)</span> Mayor of Auckland

Wayne Kelvin Forrest Brown is a New Zealand politician and the mayor of Auckland since the 2022 Auckland mayoral election. He has worked in leadership roles in several large New Zealand businesses and public infrastructure organisations. He was mayor of the Far North District Council from 2007 to 2013.

References

  1. 1 2 Murphy, Tim (14 June 2017). "The Sure Things: Simeon Brown". Newsroom.
  2. "Daily progress for Tuesday, 7 November 2017". New Zealand Parliament. Archived from the original on 6 December 2017. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
  3. 1 2 @simeonbrownmp (8 April 2019). "I did. I turned 28 today. Happy birthday to me" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  4. New Zealand National Party (21 June 2014). "National selects Simeon Brown as Manurewa candidate" (Press release). Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  5. 1 2 3 Vance, Andrea (4 February 2024). "Win and a prayer: how Simeon Brown is defying his reputation". The Post . Stuff. Archived from the original on 4 February 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  6. "Youth council to help solve Manurewa problems". The Aucklander. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  7. Boreham, Jay (22 March 2013). "Forget about new member". Manukau Courier . Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  8. 1 2 Taylor, PJ (24 March 2017). "Youthful banker gets nod in Pakuranga". Stuff . Archived from the original on 22 November 2017. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
  9. ProLife Auckland. "Pro-Life Club Affiliates at University of Auckland". Scoop (Press release). Archived from the original on 22 April 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  10. "Auckland University students vote to disaffiliate anti-abortion club". Stuff. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  11. "Graduate Search". University of Auckland . Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  12. "Submission by Simeon Brown on the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Bill to the Government Administration Select Committee". New Zealand Parliament. Archived from the original on 3 July 2020.
  13. "First-term MPs: Simeon Brown on his youth, synthetic drug law, and door-knocking". Newshub . Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  14. "Official Count Results – Manurewa (2014)". Electoral Commission. Archived from the original on 18 January 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
  15. Jones, Nicholas (26 July 2016). "National and Pakuranga MP Maurice Williamson to leave Parliament". The New Zealand Herald . Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  16. Commission, New Zealand Electoral. "E9 Statistics – Electorate Status". Electoral Commission . Archived from the original on 15 January 2020.
  17. "Bills (proposed laws)". New Zealand Parliament. Archived from the original on 27 July 2019.
  18. Leask, Anna (6 February 2018). "Synthetics: Family of victim team up with MP on law-change push". The New Zealand Herald . Archived from the original on 7 January 2019.
  19. "Psychoactive Substances (Increasing Penalty for Supply and Distribution) Amendment Bill — Third Reading – New Zealand Parliament". www.parliament.nz. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  20. Walls, Jason (8 August 2019). "How Members of Parliament voted in the first reading of the Abortion Legislation Bill". The New Zealand Herald . Archived from the original on 20 September 2020. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  21. "Christopher Luxon faces a real challenge in National Party selection". Stuff . Archived from the original on 23 October 2020. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
  22. "Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Bill — Second Reading". www.parliament.nz. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  23. "Pakuranga – Official Result". Electoral Commission . Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  24. "Our Team". New Zealand National Party . Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  25. "Police arrest man after death threats to National MP Simeon Brown". The New Zealand Herald . 7 May 2021. Archived from the original on 16 June 2021.
  26. Molyneux, Vita (26 May 2021). "National MP Simeon Brown receives more death threats from Mongrel Mob after criticising funeral procession". Newshub . Archived from the original on 12 July 2021.
  27. Molyneux, Vita (26 May 2021). "Waikato Mongrel Mob accuses National MP Simeon Brown of using gangs as political tool". Newshub . Archived from the original on 15 June 2021.
  28. "Politicians react as bill to ban conversion therapy passes". Radio New Zealand . 15 February 2022. Archived from the original on 18 February 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  29. "national-mp-removes-post-following-roe-v-wade-decision". Radio New Zealand . Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  30. "simon-o-connor-apologises-to-fellow-national-mps-over-abortion-post". Radio New Zealand . Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  31. "National reshuffle: Luxon promotes former leaders Judith Collins, Todd Muller". The New Zealand Herald . 19 January 2023. Archived from the original on 19 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  32. "Road signs 'should all be in English': National". Otago Daily Times . Allied Press. 27 May 2023. Archived from the original on 28 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  33. Ensor, Jamie (29 May 2023). "Election 2023: National claims no issue with Te Reo on road signs, but says they should be 'nice-to-have'". Newshub . Warner Bros. Discovery New Zealand. Archived from the original on 29 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  34. Neilson, Michael (29 May 2023). "Te reo Māori road signs supported by National says MP Chris Bishop; PM Chris Hipkins accuses party of 'dog whistle'". The New Zealand Herald . Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  35. Lynch, Jenna (30 May 2023). "National's Tama Potaka takes Simeon Brown for korero over Te Reo road signs as Māori MPs break party line". Newshub . Warner Bros. Discovery New Zealand. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  36. "Pakuranga - Official Result". Electoral Commission. 3 November 2023. Archived from the original on 23 November 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  37. "Cabinet lineup for new government unveiled - who gets what?". Radio New Zealand . 24 November 2023. Archived from the original on 4 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  38. Brown, Simeon (30 April 2024). "Government to boost public EV charging network". Beehive.govt.nz. New Zealand Government. Archived from the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  39. "Minister instructs Waka Kotahi staff to use English name first". 1News . TVNZ. 4 December 2023. Archived from the original on 8 December 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  40. "Waka Kotahi to use its English name first after pressure from government". Radio New Zealand . 8 December 2023. Archived from the original on 10 December 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  41. "Transport Minister Simeon Brown announces major change to speed limit rules". Newshub . 12 December 2023. Archived from the original on 12 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  42. "'Nanny state' speed limit reductions to be reversed - Minister". 1News . TVNZ. 21 March 2024. Archived from the original on 21 March 2024. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  43. Martin, Robin (16 December 2023). "Minister pulls brakes on cycling and walking initiatives". Radio New Zealand . Archived from the original on 16 December 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  44. "Waka Kotahi puts funding for cycling, walking and public transport initiatives on hold". Radio New Zealand . 4 November 2023. Archived from the original on 6 December 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  45. "Let's Get Wellington Moving grinds to a halt". Stuff . 17 December 2023. Archived from the original on 16 December 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  46. "National-led government officially cancels Auckland Light Rail plans". Radio New Zealand . 14 January 2024. Archived from the original on 15 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  47. "Government agrees to slash road user charges for plug-in hybrids". Radio New Zealand . 19 March 2024. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  48. "EVs, plug-in hybrids to pay road user charges from 1 April". Radio New Zealand . 16 January 2024. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  49. Gibson, Eloise (9 July 2024). "Government eases 'too stringent' Clean Car Standard rules". RNZ . Archived from the original on 10 July 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  50. Coughlan, Thomas (12 July 2024). "Transport Minister Simeon Brown: Traffic management road cone use 'out of control'". The New Zealand Herald . Archived from the original on 12 July 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  51. "Government to spend nearly $33 billion on transport over the next 3 years". RNZ . 2 September 2024. Archived from the original on 3 September 2024. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  52. "Inspection vans to assess road conditions in bid to prevent potholes". 1News . TVNZ. 19 September 2024. Archived from the original on 19 September 2024. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  53. "$226m roads resilience package approved". Inside Government. 5 October 2024. Archived from the original on 5 October 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  54. Trevett, Claire (14 December 2023). "Government to start to repeal Three Waters scheme early next year, minister Simeon Brown says". The New Zealand Herald . Archived from the original on 13 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  55. Brown, Simeon (14 December 2023). "Government to repeal Three Waters legislation". Beehive.govt.nz. New Zealand Government. Archived from the original on 19 December 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  56. Milne, Jonathan (21 December 2023). "Three Waters repeal forces councils to hike rates by a third". Newsroom . Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  57. "Government formally withdraws bill to lower voting age in council elections". Radio New Zealand . 26 January 2024. Archived from the original on 28 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  58. "Government scraps Bill to lower voting age in council elections". 1News . 26 January 2024. Archived from the original on 28 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  59. "Parliament repeals Three Waters programme under urgency". Radio New Zealand . 16 February 2024. Archived from the original on 16 February 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  60. "Labour's Three Waters legislation repealed". Beehive.govt.nz. New Zealand Government. 14 February 2024. Archived from the original on 14 February 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  61. "Maori wards ultimatum for councils as coalition government imposes referendums". Radio New Zealand . 4 April 2024. Archived from the original on 5 April 2024. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  62. "Māori wards bill passes third reading". RNZ . 30 July 2024. Archived from the original on 6 August 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  63. Gabel, Julia (30 July 2024). "Legislation requiring local councils to hold polls on Māori wards passes in Parliament". The New Zealand Herald . Archived from the original on 4 August 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  64. "Auckland's new water plan unveiled by Mayor Wayne Brown and Local Government Minister Simeon Brown". Radio New Zealand . 6 May 2024. Archived from the original on 6 May 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  65. "New details of Three Waters replacement revealed". 1News . 8 August 2024. Archived from the original on 11 August 2024. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
  66. Young, Audrey (2 June 2021). "Is Simeon Brown National's most hated MP?". The New Zealand Herald . Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  67. "MPs open up, fight back tears during Abortion Legislation Bill in Parliament". 8 August 2019.
  68. "Browns welcome baby girl". Times Online. 9 February 2021.
  69. "Simeon Brown and wife Rebecca welcome baby boy". 6 June 2023.
  70. "Is this Parliament's most threatened, abused MP?". NZ Herald. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  71. Vance, Andrea (30 January 2022). "Harete Hipango undermines National's rebuild". Stuff.
New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Pakuranga
2017–present
Incumbent