Hon Robyn McDonald

• Minister for Senior Citizens
• Minister of Consumer Affairs
• New Zealand First List MP

Home || Policies || Speeches || Press || Departments

Cabinet Committee Memberships

Cabinet Social Policy Committee SOC
Cabinet Strategy Subcommittee on Appointments and Honours APH

Mrs McDonald was promoted to Minister outside of Cabinet in December 1996, just over two months after entering Parliament for her first term as a NZ First List MP in the new mixed-member proportional representation (MMP) system.

Her new responsibilities reflect Mrs McDonald's work and interests in her local Katikati community helping low-income New Zealanders and working closely with senior citizens.

The Consumer Affairs portfolio provides Mrs McDonald with the opportunity to more widely promote the rights of consumers, particularly to low-income New Zealanders. The Minister believes that understanding such rights can save consumers a considerable amount of money and an emphasis on such promotion will be a priority for the Ministry. She also considers it important to help retailers and service-providers in knowing how to respond to consumer issues in a more customer-oriented manner.

Mrs McDonald is also very keen to see legislation dealing with consumer credit amended to provide greater protection for consumers. She sees it as an area which is increasingly used by consumers and therefore the need for consumers to be protected and know their rights as consumer credit becomes increasingly available is a priority.

As Minister responsible for senior citizens, Mrs McDonald is delighted to be a key advocate for a very important group of New Zealanders. There are many key issues which affect older people and the Minister sees some positive initiatives which can be further developed, particularly in promoting health and well-being.

Mrs McDonald also believes that society as a whole should value senior citizens for their considerable life skills and experience. Too often, she sees such valued citizens overlooked and intends to promote a change in attitudes particularly through the implementation of intergenerational programmes. Mrs McDonald is also wanting to look at ways to help older people continue enjoying educational and work opportunities after they have formally left the workforce.

Prior to her election as a NZ First List MP in October 1996, Mrs McDonald established and operated The Skills Company Tops Training School in Katikati since 1991. This school targeted Maori youth, women and long-term unemployed in Katikati and the surrounding district. Mrs McDonald provided training courses in Hospitality, Adventure Tourism and Apparel.

For over a decade between 1984 and 1994, Mrs McDonald managed her own Promotions Company assisting companies such as Avocado Growers, Nashi Growers, the NZ Potato Board, Citrus Council, with promotional campaigns.

It was mainly through this business that Mrs McDonald gained considerable knowledge and understanding of the needs of both domestic and export industries.

Between 1992-94, she also established a company to manufacture and sell her own designer mohair garments to tourist outlets.

Born in 1950 and educated at Queen Margaret College, Wellington, Mrs McDonald went on to complete a Home Science Diploma at Otago University and a Secondary Teaching Diploma and Certificate through Auckland Teacher's College.

Throughout her career, Mrs McDonald has held a variety of teaching, advisory and promotion positions as well as owning a Kiwifruit orchard in partnership with her husband Bruce.

She has also been actively involved with her local community and been the past President of the Katikati Business and Professional Women's Club. Mrs McDonald continues her close community ties through the establishment of her electorate office in Paeroa and intends to represent local region interests at both Parliamentary and Ministerial level.

Mrs McDonald has also been the National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Publications and Publicity Chair and edited their national magazine, "Speak Up".

Her interests and hobbies include being a spectator and supporter of her children's sporting interests, water and snow ski-ing, earthbuilding, gardening and Burmese cats. Mrs McDonald is also a Food writer having been a founder member of the NZ Food Writers Guild.

Mrs McDonald is married to Bruce and has three children, Amy (16), Rebecca (14) and Sam (10).