Matt Shepherd is, according to a single reputable secondary source, the Opportunity Party candidate and MP for Wairarapa [13][16].
Shepherd's career history spans several fields, according to a single reputable secondary source. He is reported to have worked as a chef in the Royal New Zealand Navy [2] and subsequently trained as a teacher, attending the University of Waikato in Tauranga [11]. He is said to have taught at a public high school in Nakhon Phanom, Thailand [5], worked as a teacher in Fox Glacier [6], and served as a primary school teacher [3], as well as a relief teacher across the Hutt Valley [4].
According to a single reputable secondary source, Shepherd has also been associated with the water sector, having worked as Project Manager of the Wānaka Water Project (WAI Wanaka) [1].
Shepherd is reported to have held several roles with the Untouched World Foundation [7]. According to a single reputable secondary source, he served as Rangatahi Chair of its Board of Trustees [14][15], led its junior board [10], and led its Advanced Leadership Programme [9]. He is also reported to have facilitated ALP 4 at Peel Forest from March 2020 [8].
In politics, Shepherd is affiliated with the Opportunity Party [16][17] and is reported to have stood as the party's candidate for the Wairarapa electorate [12]. According to a single reputable secondary source, he has held the office of MP for Wairarapa from 2026 [13].