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James Meager

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James Meager
MP
Meager in 2023
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Rangitata
Incumbent
Assumed office
14 October 2023
Preceded byJo Luxton
Personal details
Born
James Rawiri Meager

1986 or 1987 (age 37–38)
Timaru, New Zealand
Political partyNational
Alma materUniversity of Otago

James Rawiri Meager[1] (born 1986 or 1987) is a New Zealand politician and Member of Parliament in the House of Representatives for the National Party in the electorate of Rangitata.

Early life and career

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Born in Timaru in 1986 or 1987, Meager is of Ngāi Tahu descent.[2] He grew up in Timaru, where he lived in state housing.[3] Meager attended Timaru Boys' High School, where he was head boy and dux.[4] He gained Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of Otago, although he had originally intended to become a doctor.[5][6] He describes himself as "loud-mouthed, obnoxious and opinionated" while at university, and ascribes his bad behaviour partly to alcohol use.[6] While at university, Meager helped on National Party list MP Michael Woodhouse's 2011 campaign, and went on to run the 2014 campaign.[6] Prior to being elected to Parliament, Meager worked as a senior solicitor for Simpson Grierson,[7][8] and ran a consultancy firm. He has also worked as a press secretary to Paula Bennett, as a staffer for Chris Bishop's parliamentary office, and an advisor to Bill English and Simon Bridges.[9]

Political career

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New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate List Party
2023–present 54th Rangitata 69 National

Meager was selected as National's candidate for the formerly safe seat of Rangitata on 18 September 2022. It was a close contest with one other competitor vying for the nomination.[2]

On election night, Meager received 22,792 votes, beating incumbent Labour Party MP Jo Luxton by 10,846 votes.[10][11] Meager said his first priority as a member of parliament would be to ensure the building of a second bridge for Ashburton happened according to the planned timeframes.[4] The bridge was announced by the Labour government in August 2023, with construction due to start in 2024 and take two years. Meager was concerned that timeframes might change, but promised to begin construction in the first parliamentary term.[4]

Perhaps to some I am a walking contradiction—you know, a part-Māori boy, raised in a State house by a single parent on the benefit, now a proud National Party MP in a deeply rural farming electorate in the middle of the South Island—but there is no contradiction there. Members opposite do not own Māori. Members opposite do not own the poor. Members opposite do not own the workers. No party and no ideology has a right to claim ownership over anything or anyone.

– Meager's maiden speech, 6 December 2023

Meager was the first new MP to give his maiden speech in the 54th Parliament. His contribution, which discussed his upbringing as a "part Māori boy raised in a state house by a single parent on the benefit" and the "walking contradiction" of that boy becoming a National Party MP was praised by commentators, who described Meager as "assured and confident" and a possible future prime minister.[12][13][14]

References

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  1. ^ "2023 General election results of the official count". New Zealand Gazette. 3 November 2023. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  2. ^ a b Comer, Rachael (18 September 2022). "James Meager National's new Rangitata candidate". Timaru Herald. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  3. ^ "Former Christchurch lawyer to stand for National". The Ashburton Courier. Otago Daily Times. 27 September 2022.
  4. ^ a b c Sandys, Susan (19 October 2023). "New Rangitata MP settles in after big election win". Otago Daily Times Online News. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  5. ^ "Meet James Meager". New Zealand National Party.
  6. ^ a b c McNeilly, Hamish (28 October 2022). "'Timing is everything': The rise of aspiring politician James Meager". Stuff. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  7. ^ McNeilly, Hamish (28 October 2022). "'Timing is everything': The rise of aspiring politician James Meager". Stuff. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  8. ^ "As a local boy, I will work tirelessly to deliver for our region as part of a Christopher Luxon-led National Government". New Zealand National Party. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  9. ^ Gifford, Adam (19 September 2022). "Ngāi Tahu Meager National's Rangitata pick". Waatea News.
  10. ^ Comer, Rachael (14 October 2023). "National's James Meager Rangitata's new MP after convincing win". Stuff. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  11. ^ "Rangitata - Official Result". Electoral Commission. 3 November 2023. Archived from the original on 23 November 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  12. ^ Smith, Sam (6 December 2023). "New National MP gets standing ovation following maiden speech". Stuff. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  13. ^ "Audrey Young: Clear MVP after a sensational first week in Parliament". NZ Herald. 9 December 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  14. ^ "Felix Desmarais: Rookie MP impresses Parliament in moving speech". 1 News. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Rangitata
2023–present 		Incumbent
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