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Useful experience for elected government representatives includes:

• work as a local government representative
• work as a union official or delegate
• work for a political party or pressure group
• debating experience.

Any work in economics, law, education or another specialist field, such as health or social work, is also useful.

Elected government representatives may do some or all of the following:

• act on behalf of individuals or groups
• study reports, proposals, complaints and petitions
• present, debate and vote on new laws and policies 
• attend meetings and public events, make speeches and give interviews
• work with officials to develop policy.

Some elected government representatives also hold extra positions, such as junior or senior whip (who manage a political party's members of parliament).

More opportunities for elected government representatives in local government

Chances of becoming a local government representative are better than for members of parliament. However, chances are poor for both representative roles as opportunities usually only happen during elections that are held every three years.

Local government representatives are elected to city, district and regional councils, district health boards and licensing trusts. 

According to the Census, 1,065 elected government representatives worked in New Zealand in 2018.

High competition for member of parliament positions

There is intense competition for the 120 seats in parliament. At the 2017 general election, 32 new members of parliament (MPs) were elected.

Small range of employers

Members of parliament are employed by the country's voters. Their salaries and terms of employment are set by parliamentary services.

Local government representatives are employed by one of New Zealand's 78 local councils, regional councils, or unitary authorities (a council that performs the functions of a local and regional council).

Local Government New Zealand

(04) 924 1200 - www.lgnz.co.nz

New Zealand Parliament

(04) 817 9999 - www.parliament.nz

Elected government representatives may progress to become senior representatives of their council or political party.

Elected government representatives may specialise as a:

Member of Parliament

Members of parliament (MPs) represent the electorate in the House of Representatives (parliament). There are 70 electorate MPs, chosen by voters in the area, and 50 list MPs.

Local Government Representative

Local government representatives form a council, which includes a mayor or chairperson, or a community board. There are also local body board members, who represent the electorate on boards such as district health boards.

Elected government representatives need to be:

• trustworthy
• motivated
• confident
• excellent communicators and debaters
• skilled in making decisions
• good at planning and organising
• able to evaluate and interpret information
• able to inspire confidence and trust in others.