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MP · #100
Hon Simon Watts
North Shore
· New Zealand National Party
New Zealand National Party
North Shore
@simonwattsmp
Candidate 2023
· North Shore
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Candidate 2020
· North Shore
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Pecuniary interests
10 items
Directorships
3 declared
Recent meetings
50 logged
Bg Background Methodology →
Simon Watts is a National Party Member of Parliament representing the North Shore electorate [25] [17] . Sources differ on when he first entered Parliament — some place his election to the North Shore seat from 2020 [19] , while others…
AI-assembled biography sourced from Wikipedia, Hansard, Beehive and the Parliament register. Every claim is footnoted to a verbatim quote in one of the cited sources and tagged confirmed, unverified or disputed.
01 Positions
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Cabinet Minister — Climate Change, Local Government, Revenue, Auckland
03 Pecuniary interests (2025) Methodology →
as of 2026-05-27 02:26Beneficial interests in, and trusteeships of, trusts
Cam & Marg Watts Family Trust (beneficiary)
— Cam & Marg Watts Family Trust
(Beneficiary)
SG & SRA Watts Family Trust (trustee and beneficiary)
— SG & SRA Watts Family Trust
(Trustee)
Watzi Trust (beneficiary)
— Watzi Trust
(Beneficiary)
Debts owed by you
Westpac Bank – mortgage
— Westpac Bank
Real property
Commercial property (owned by trust) – Cambridge
Family home (owned by trust) – North Shore
Holiday home (owned by trust) – Waihi Beach
Residential section (owned by trust) – Cambridge
Retirement schemes
Milford Asset Management KiwiSaver
— Milford Asset Management KiwiSaver
iSelect Superannuation Scheme Trust
— iSelect Superannuation Scheme Trust
04 Directorships Methodology →
as of 2026-05-27 02:26None recorded.
06 Trusteeships & beneficial trust interests
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activeTrustee
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activeBeneficiary
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activeBeneficiary
08 Recent meetings (as minister) Methodology →
as of 2026-05-27 02:41
2026-04-30
Thu
8 entries
Phone: SailGP
Strategy Meeting
Mayor Johnathan Larsen
Phone: Mayor Johnathan Larsen
MEET
Meet: Local Government NZ
MEET
Attend: Watercare Water Sector Chief Executives Forum
Cabinet Legislation Committee
Attend: Cabinet Legislation Committee
2026-04-29
Wed
11 entries
Attend: Economic Security Ministerial Oversight Group
Hon Nicola Willis and Hon Chris Bishop
Meet: Hon Nicola Willis and Hon Chris Bishop
with: Hon Nicola Willis, Hon Chris Bishop
Attend: Live Ocean Swim4TheOcean Reception
Meet: Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum
Meet: Local Government Partnership Directors
Meet: Commerce Commission
Meet: Regional and Unitary Councils Aotearoa
with: Regional and Unitary Councils Aotearoa, Hon Todd McClay
Meet: City Rail Link Stakeholders
Auckland Officials
Meet: Auckland Officials
Local Government Officials
Meet: Local Government Officials
Cabinet Economic Policy Committee
Attend: Cabinet Economic Policy Committee
2026-04-28
Tue
4 entries
Ministry for the Environment Officials
Meet: Ministry for the Environment Officials
Prime Minister and Environmental Non-Governmental Organisations
Meet: Prime Minister and Environmental Non-Governmental Organisations
with: Prime Minister, Environmental Non-Governmental Organisations
Cabinet
Inland Revenue Officials
Meet: Inland Revenue Officials
2026-04-24
Fri
4 entries
Councillor Desley Simpson
Meet: Councillor Desley Simpson
Meet: Tāmaki Makaurau Business Network
Marama Royal
Meet: Marama Royal
IV: RNZ
2026-04-23
Thu
5 entries
Attend: Port of Tauranga Board Meeting
Attend: All of Local Government Fuel Meeting
with: All of Local Government, Hon Nicola Willis
Mayor Moko Tepania
Phone: Mayor Moko Tepania
Cabinet Legislation Committee
Attend: Cabinet Legislation Committee
Attend: Economic Security Ministerial Oversight Group Daily SitRep
2026-04-22
Wed
8 entries
Ministry for the Environment Officials
Meet: Ministry for the Environment Officials
Attend: Halter Parliamentary Function
Attend: Raukawa Accord
Mayor Wayne Brown
Phone: Mayor Wayne Brown
IV: National Business Review
Meet: The Public Service Commission
Meet: Local Government Commission
Cabinet Economic Policy Committee
Attend: Cabinet Economic Policy Committee
2026-04-21
Tue
4 entries
Attend: Regional Development Minister's Meeting
Speak/Host: The Sustainable Steel Council Launch of New Zealand Steel Sector Roadmap to Carbon Zero
Local Government Officials
Meet: Local Government Officials
Prime Minister and Fraser Whineray
Meet: Prime Minister and Fraser Whineray
with: Prime Minister, Fraser Whineray
2026-04-20
Mon
6 entries
Attend: Fletcher Building Board & Executive Leadership Team Reception
Ministry for the Environment Officials
Meet: Ministry for the Environment Officials
Local Government Officials
Meet: Local Government Officials
Hon Nicola Willis
Meet: Hon Nicola Willis
Cabinet
Meet: Revenue Private Secretaries
09 Recent Hansard speeches
- 2026-05-28
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10 Recent press releases
From Beehive.govt.nz. Most recent 10.
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2026-06-02Only elected councillors will be able to vote on council committees, in a move that strengthens democratic accountability, Local Government Minister Simon Watts announced today.
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2026-05-29Investment through Budget 2026 strengthens Auckland’s role as New Zealand’s economic engine room, ensuring growth that lifts the whole country, Minister for Auckland Simon Watts says.
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2026-05-28Budget 2026 introduces tax changes to strengthen New Zealand’s tax system, encourage investment and make it easier to comply with, Revenue Minister Simon Watts says.
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2026-05-14Climate Change Minister Simon Watts has released guidance and tools to help New Zealanders take part in voluntary nature and carbon markets with confidence.
11 Recent ministerial speeches
From Beehive.govt.nz — conference keynotes and ministerial addresses (distinct from Hansard floor debates).
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2025-12-15It is a privilege to join you today to deliver the keynote address on behalf of New Zealand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Rt Honourable Winston Peters.
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2025-11-18Tēnā koutou katoa. It is an honour to address you today on behalf of New Zealand.
12 In the news Methodology →
50 articlesCoverage from RNZ, Stuff, NZ Herald, ODT, 1News, Newsroom and The Spinoff that mentions this person. Click any source to expand. Article body markdown is captured separately and used for AI summarisation downstream.
RNZ 13
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2026-06-04A city councillor is defending his warning shot to neighbouring Selwyn and Waimakariri, saying other councils need to pay their fair share.
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2026-06-04"I've stopped counting how many civil defence emergencies I have declared," Gisborne's Rehette Stoltz told insurers and politicians.
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2026-06-03Local Government Minister Simon Watts has announced a law change so unelected council members won't have voting rights on committees.
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2026-06-02The government is changing the law to ensure only elected councillors can vote on council committees.
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2026-06-02The government says the change will stop councils appointing iwi representatives as full voting members, as it was "not democratic".
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2026-05-28That's despite Treasury warning that the "substantial purchases" of offshore carbon credits are likely to be needed if the government chooses to honour New Zealand's 2030 target.
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2026-05-24The government has given councils three months to decide how they want local government reorganised or risk having a new structure imposed from Wellington.
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2026-05-19An open letter signed by more than 100 lawyers, climate scientists and legal academics attacks the government's moves to amend climate laws to prevent companies from being sued over damage.
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2026-05-19An open letter signed by more than 100 lawyers, climate scientists and legal academics attacks the government's moves to amend climate laws to prevent companies from being sued over damage.
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2026-05-19Ministers are yet to make a decision about whether to go ahead with a scheme which would let councils provide long-term loans to any homeowners that wanted it.
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2026-05-12Mike Smith, whose case has now been blocked, says the move is unprecedented, while other activists are calling it a "shocking abuse of power".
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2026-05-12Stunned Waitaki District ratepayers are calling for a government probe of council's finances, with some worried people will lose their homes.
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2026-05-11"We know the cost of living is putting immense pressure on Kiwis", the local government minister says.
Otago Daily Times 11
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2026-06-04Cr Sam MacDonald. Photo: Supplied / Christchurch City Council Adam Burns of RNZ A Christchurch City councillor is defending a tolling warning shot to neighbouring districts if merger plans are refused, saying other councils need to pay…
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2026-05-28Mayor Tom Campbell. A scheme which includes an option for residents to postpone paying their rates has been explained to Invercargill City councillors.
- 2026-05-25
- 2026-05-15
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2026-05-15The Māori Queen, Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po, met with King Charles at Buckingham Palace. PHOTO: AARON CHOWN Whatitiri Te Wake Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po has met with King Charles III for the first time since…
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2026-05-14Extending the geographic boundaries councillors must cover will "dilute local knowledge" and lead to a council disconnected from its communities, a Central Otago district councillor has warned.
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2026-05-11Environmental activist Mike Smith says the government stepping in over an active court case is unprecedented and changing the rules of the game outrageous. Photo: Johnny Blades / VNP Kate Newton of RNZ The government will pass a law…
Stuff 9
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2026-06-05The sea has already taken land, fences and homes at Port Waikato. A community-built seawall has bought time, but residents say a long-term plan is needed.
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2026-06-04Lower Hutt’s Waiwhetū Marae could be one of the last marae to get emergency preparedness funding.
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2026-06-02“That’s not democratic, so we’re fixing it,” Local government minister Simon Watts says.
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2026-05-31Brown’s approach to governing Auckland has endearing himself to some, but definitely not to others.
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2026-05-20Digby Ioane is facing allegations he repeatedly threatened to kill a man over a supposed land deal in Samoa.
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2026-05-19Wellington Water and Wellington City Council released a recovery roadmap setting out key milestones for restoring operations.
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2026-05-12The amalgamation of Nelson and Tasman might now just be a matter of time.
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2026-05-11The Department of Internal Affairs said for the current 2025/26 rating year, it had refunded councils 105,698 rates rebate claims.
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2026-05-11E kī ana tētahi tuhinga whakaaro, nā ngā koha miriona tāra i huri ai ngā rōpū kāwanatanga hei hunga “whakawhirinaki ki te toko i te ora” e mānu noa ana.
NZ Herald 5
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2026-06-02Local Government Minister Simon Watts made the announcement on Tuesday. Photo / Mark Mitchell
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2026-05-27WELLINGTON NEW ZEALAND - MAY 28: Finance Minister Nicola Willis with, from left, Shane Jones, Winston Peters, Chris Bishop and David Seymour on their way to the House for the reading of the Budget 2026, Parliament, Wellington, New Zealand…
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2026-05-19Ōpōtiki Mayor David Moore. Photo / Andrew Warner
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2026-05-14Regional leaders who signed the deal: Western Bay of Plenty Mayor James Denyer (left), Bay of Plenty Regional Council chairwoman Matemoana McDonald and Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale. Photo / Bijou Johnson
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2026-05-12Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith made the announcement on Tuesday. Photo / Mark Mitchell
The Spinoff 5
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2026-06-04A series of actions by the coalition government has drawn criticism this week, with iwi leaders, health experts and MPs accusing it of deliberately and systematically dismantling Māori rights and protections, Henry Oliver writes in today’s…
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2026-05-28Finance minister Nicola Willis says she’s delivered ‘a responsible budget to secure New Zealand’s future’. But what do the experts think? Read Lyric Waiwiri-Smith’s report from the budget lockup here and Joel MacManus’s analysis here…
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2026-05-28Nicola Willis has unveiled her third no-thrills budget, with big boosts to health and big questions over sustainability for superannuation. A $7bn boost in capital investment will provide up to 2,250 new social homes, an extended…
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2026-05-26From new rentals to redevelopments, some coalition MPs have been upping their ownership of residential properties. MPs from National, New Zealand First and Act have purchased or built at least 25 new rentals, investment properties or…
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2026-05-12The move, announced this morning, will stop a high court case against Fonterra and six other major emitters in its tracks. The government will pass a law preventing companies from being sued over climate change damage in many cases. The…
1News 5
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2026-06-02Government says the change will stop councils appointing iwi representatives as full voting members, as it was "not democratic".
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2026-05-28There are changes including for fringe benefit taxed vehicles, a new levy on banks and insurers, and an overhaul of charity donation rules.
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2026-05-19Ministers yet to make a decision on a scheme that would let councils provide long-term loans to homeowners wanting to install solar.
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2026-05-14The region already has two of New Zealand’s three toll roads, including the Tauranga Eastern Link and Takitimu Dr.
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2026-05-12The move aims to block civil claims linking companies’ emissions to climate-related damage.
Newsroom 2
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2026-05-25Analysis: Plummeting gas reserves mean the Government can no longer ignore the reality that domestic gas in NZ is dead, not just resting The post Govt finally acknowledges the end of gas is nigh appeared first on Newsroom .
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2026-05-18The first major debate of the 2026 campaign saw intra-coalition bickering, a near-leak of Budget policy and maybe a budding political romance The post Sparks fly as energy dominates first major political debate appeared first on Newsroom .
13 OIA disclosures Methodology →
1 releaseStrict-mode Official Information Act responses from FYI.org.nz that name this MP. Tenure-checked: each row represents a request whose subject period overlapped a role this MP held. Click through to read the full release on FYI.
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2026-03-24
12.5 Heard on radio
Verbatim segments from podcasts and radio where this MP was the speaker, attributed via the manually-reviewed voice-reference library and pre-seeked to the moment the segment starts.
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mike-hosking-breakfast Simon Watts: Local Government Minister on the move to restrict council voting to elected members 2026-06-02 · 35s
Yes, so this is uh a specific board set up for Auckland Council. Short answer is is that for the independent Moray Statutory Board, uh, those members will only be able to vote on council committees where the law specifically enables it, and what that means is is that that committee is set up under a different act. Uh it's a retain their voting rights. If it's related to the specific act, so it's relates it to where they're doing the management of natural and physical resources. If they're on a subcommittee doing that, then they're able to vote. Uh, anything else they're not able to do. Is it the same case?
13 Commentary topics Methodology →
Topics where op-eds, blogs and press releases mentioned this MP — preview of the top 2 over the last 12 weeks. Each row deep-links to the discourse lens.
14 Press topics Methodology →
Topics where major news outlets reported on this MP — preview of the top 2. Each row deep-links to the press lens; compare with commentary to spot convergence vs. divergence.
3 May10 May17 May24 May31 May
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