The Association ran at a loss this year of $2,806, but the treasurer “expects the situation to improve next year as more MPs leave Parliament following the 2026 General Election.”
The Association reports that many former MPs struggle to find employment.
There are few other jobs that require no educational qualifications or work experience and pay $181,200 plus perks.
The Association says: “In many towns and cities in New Zealand, there is often not a place for an ex-MP.”
Many choose not to return to their electorates. A number make Wellington their home.
One used to take me to the airport in his taxi.
The problem is not unique to New Zealand. Robert Caro, in his brilliant biography of Lyndon Johnson, recounts how Johnson was horrified to discover that a lift operator in the Capitol was a former congressman.
My advice to candidates, probably too late, is to have another occupation they can return to.
My advice to those about to be unemployed in 22 days is to get back on the horse immediately. Take a job. Any job.
I was sacked by the electorate on a Saturday.
Being too young to qualify for super, I decided that night to take the first job I was offered.
At 8 am on Sunday morning, I accepted an outlandish proposal to pitch a deal to Vietnam Rail.
By Thursday I was in Hanoi.
A year later I was chairman of the Vietnam–New Zealand railway company.
Some long-serving former MPs who qualify for super take six months off before seeking a job and never work again.
My sympathies go to the electorate agents and parliamentary staffers who will also be made unemployed on election day.
Having worked for a defeated MP is not the best CV.
The Honourable Richard Prebble CBE is a former member of the New Zealand Parliament. Initially a member of the Labour Party, he joined the newly formed ACT New Zealand party under Roger Douglas in 1996, becoming its leader from 1996 to 2004. This article was sourced HERE
The Association says: “In many towns and cities in New Zealand, there is often not a place for an ex-MP.”
Many choose not to return to their electorates. A number make Wellington their home.
One used to take me to the airport in his taxi.
The problem is not unique to New Zealand. Robert Caro, in his brilliant biography of Lyndon Johnson, recounts how Johnson was horrified to discover that a lift operator in the Capitol was a former congressman.
My advice to candidates, probably too late, is to have another occupation they can return to.
My advice to those about to be unemployed in 22 days is to get back on the horse immediately. Take a job. Any job.
I was sacked by the electorate on a Saturday.
Being too young to qualify for super, I decided that night to take the first job I was offered.
At 8 am on Sunday morning, I accepted an outlandish proposal to pitch a deal to Vietnam Rail.
By Thursday I was in Hanoi.
A year later I was chairman of the Vietnam–New Zealand railway company.
Some long-serving former MPs who qualify for super take six months off before seeking a job and never work again.
My sympathies go to the electorate agents and parliamentary staffers who will also be made unemployed on election day.
Having worked for a defeated MP is not the best CV.
The Honourable Richard Prebble CBE is a former member of the New Zealand Parliament. Initially a member of the Labour Party, he joined the newly formed ACT New Zealand party under Roger Douglas in 1996, becoming its leader from 1996 to 2004. This article was sourced HERE
4 comments:
I assume this is satire?
Since 1943 my electorate, New Plymouth, has had eight MPs over 83 years. The longest serving was Ernest Aderman, 1943-66. He died aged 73 in 1968. We have had 2 one-termers (3 yrs),: Armstrong (Nat) 90-93 and Bennett (Lab) 2020-23 but he got back on the list anyway. Duynhoven did 3 yrs then out in 1990 but returned for 15 years in 93.
The big drop in average time of mp service is no doubt majorly caused by the hopelessly inept greens — kerekere, golriz, turei, tana, bussyboy, wade-brown, bunkle, walker, coates, collins etc
Not to mention that the turnover of green mps since 2023, which has enabled five lower ranked, if not undeserving, greens to rise to mp salaries and benefits — and at the same time, collectively lowering the talent, competence and iq level of parliament.
I note from Mr Prebble's article that he established an association with Vietnam over railways.
Well he had "the creds" for that, having been Minister of Railways, NZ whilst the Hon Minister of Railways, in the D Lange Govt.
His 'claim to fame' was the electrification of the main trunk line in the North Island.
He was also exposed to the "crimes' committed by Railways staff and the costs that were incurred, by NZ Rail, as repayments for said 'crimes'.
Large amounts of money paid out, over many years.
He then wrote a book - I have been thinking, worth reading.
Oh and he talks about his "issues" after leaving Parliament, I wonder if he ever had "get togethers" with some of his former Labour Party colleagues (up to the time Helen Clark took over and cleaned house) in the years after? - to discuss their issues?
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