Candace Kinser is a New Zealand technology and governance professional, identified as a candidate for the National Party in the Auckland Central electorate [50][54].
According to a single reputable secondary source, Kinser studied at Rutgers University in New Jersey and the University of Hawaii, and holds a Bachelor of Engineering [41][42][43]. Early in her career, she worked as a kiwifruit breeder at the Kiwifruit Breeding Centre [18].
Her subsequent career spanned the technology and life sciences sectors. She is confirmed to have served as CEO of NZTech [4], and according to a single reputable secondary source, previously held the role of CEO of Biomatters, a genetics software firm [2][12], where she is also said to have led global growth [19]. According to a single reputable secondary source, she held a senior role at analytics company Palantir in New Zealand, variously described as New Zealand lead [6][7] and leverage lead [20]. She is also reported to have served as Head of Transformation, or digital transformation leader, at investment firm Jarden [5][13], and as founder of Vester from 2021 [17].
Kinser is confirmed as a Director of Plant & Food Research [49], and according to a single reputable secondary source, as a Director of the New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited from July 2024 [38]. Sources differ on the valid period of her directorship of the Bioeconomy Science Institute — one variant places it from July 2025 and another offers a different timeframe [48]. She is also reported, from single reputable secondary sources, to be a board member of Eastland Group [32], WEL Networks [39], and Livestock Improvement Corporation [34][52], and a Director of WEL Services Limited from August 2018 [40]. According to a single reputable secondary source, she was appointed as a Board Member of Callaghan Innovation from 18 September 2025 [44], and as Chair of the board at Helius Therapeutics from 12 October 2021 [45][46].
Kinser is confirmed as Auckland/Northland President of the Cancer Society [24] and as a member of the Auckland University Council of Governors [30]. According to a single reputable secondary source, she has also served as a Board Member at the Cancer Society of New Zealand Incorporated [25], as a Trustee at the Well Foundation [29], and as a director at NZ Health Partnerships [53]. She is reported to be a chartered member of the NZ Institute of Directors and a member of the Australian Institute of Corporate Directors [26][31], and according to a single reputable secondary source, holds an Honorary Adjunct Fellowship at the University of Queensland School of Technology [27].