Colin King is busy serving his second term as MP for Kaikoura.

Colin represents the interests of a diverse number of regions within this sprawling electorate, something that is reflected in his parliamentary workload. Colin is Deputy Chair on the Primary Production Select Committee; he is also a member of the Science and Education Select Committee, the BlueGreen Caucus Committee, the Local Government Caucus Team and the Primary Production Caucus Team.

These teams sit inside caucus with a view to developing policy and Colin’s involvement reflects the influence these teams can have on electorate concerns. Farming, fishing, conservation and resource management are just some of the policy areas important to an electorate where income is largely based on primary production and tourism.

Colin and his wife, Lynnette, live in Blenheim which is an easy commute to Wellington. He sees himself as both an MP and a farmer, retaining strong links with the rural community through his enthusiasm for shearing and regularly visiting family members who farm in North Canterbury.

Colin King’s new office is situated in the Blenheim CBD, a move he has welcomed as it provides ample opportunity to meet local business people and be a part of the vibrant centre of the community.

Colin’s role as MP has given him the opportunity to be actively involved in organisations including Marlborough Community Law Centre, CARE Marlborough, RSA and St John’s.

Colin and Lynnette enjoy participation in community events and Colin often becomes involved in conversation with locals when he visits the local market day.

Achievements:

Over the past 20 years Colin King has won more than 200 open shearing events and has represented New Zealand at international open shearing competitions. In 2000 he became a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in recognition of his contribution to New Zealand’s shearing and wool industry and the facilitation of closer global links between shearing industry bodies.

Colin King has served on the Audit Committee of Meat and Wool New Zealand. He has been a Director on the Meat board, Director on the Meat and Wool NZ Ltd Board and Director of the Agriculture Industry Organisation.

Colin is on the Agriculture ITO board and has delivered education (shearing) training to a PTE for 15 years. Colin’s enthusiasm for all forms of trades training and second-chance learning continues to be an important aspect of his life and work. He has a strong belief in young people’s ability to connect in a practical learning environment.

Colin holds National Certificates in Adult Education and Training and in Shearing. He has a level four certificate in Adult Teaching through the Open Polytechnic and holds a Certificate in Wool Handling Systems from Massey University.

Top 5 Issues

1. Building a stronger economy
   • Balance the books sooner.
   • Borrow less so we can have lower interest rates for longer.
   • Keep personal taxes lower to encourage hard work.
   • Make New Zealand more competitive so our exporters can sell more overseas and create more real jobs.
   • Encourage savings and investments.
   • Use the mixed-Ownership model to fund infrastructure to help us grow faster.
   • Invest in skills training and tertiary education that gets results.
   
2. Building world-class infrastructure
   • Ultra-fast broadband for greater innovation.
   • More, and better, roads to ease congestion.
   • Investing in more rail and public transport.
   
3. Building a safer New Zealand
   • Staying strong on crime – tougher sentencing, stronger bail laws, and a focus on victims.
   • Keep working to lower the crime rate further so our families are safer.
   • Making our roads safer, so we can keep the road toll lower.
   
4. Rebuilding Christchurch
   • $5.5 billion recovery fund
   • Re-establishing essential infrastructure
   • More construction-related training
   
5. Building better public services
   • Better Schools – identifying and helping children falling behind, school reports in plain English.
   • World-class healthcare –more doctors and nurses, more operations, shorter waiting times.
   • Effective welfare- more people back into work, more incentives to work, payment cards for teens on benefits.
   

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