ACT deputy Brooke van Velden not running at this year's election

The ACT Deputy and Workplace Relations Minister says after nine years of public service, she 'simply wants to do more in life'

Public Policy / news

The ACT Deputy and Workplace Relations Minister says after nine years of public service, she 'simply wants to do more in life'

24th Mar 26, 11:57am by Anna Whyte

Brooke van Velden speaks to media. Image source: Mandy Te

Deputy ACT leader Brooke van Velden is not standing at this year’s election.

The Workplace Relations Minister said after nine years of public service, she “simply wants to do more in life”.

"I don't think it's any secret being a politician or public figure isn't an easy life... for me it's been an absolutely privilege."

She said she wanted to build good life choices and "ultimately want to live life".

“I have never wanted to be a career politician, and while I believe there are so many more years I could serve my community, I wish to explore the private sector too. At some point in the future, I would like to return to public service."

Van Velden holds the Tāmaki electorate, saying she wanted to make the announcement on Tuesday "to ensure that ACT has the time to select a new candidate for the Tāmaki electorate and give that person sufficient time to campaign".

Leader David Seymour said the caucus would decide the new deputy leader, and it would likely to be a current MP.

“Brooke’s career is as close to perfect as a political career could ever be," he said.

"She’s spent nine years on the Parliamentary Precinct racking up win after win. From our campaign together on Euthanasia, to her triumph in Tamaki, and her recent reforms of employment law, the Holidays Act, and Health and Safety Law, the constant in Brooke’s career has been tangible achievement."

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12 Comments

by Foxglove. | 24th Mar 26, 12:25pm 1774308330

On the face of it generally well received politically and publicly and consequently acknowledged as capable. Unfortunately that is a quality in itself that is too often absent amongst our members of parliament. Winning a previously well established National seat might though now be challenging for her successor.

by rolande | 24th Mar 26, 1:04pm 1774310687

Will be an interesting seat. Population has been increasing in most Auckland electorates but not so much in Tamaki electorate because of zoning restrictions. This election the electorate has had to extend its southern boundary all the way to Boundary Reserve (true story), so it now includes all of Glen Innes and Point England, which have a very different profile to those living north of Riddell Rd . In total, it's still probably a blue electorate but a charismatic candidate from any party could do well if they have a good ground game.

by IT GUY | 24th Mar 26, 7:54pm 1774335252

You mean East of West Tamaki Rd, but the same thing.

by rolande | 24th Mar 26, 9:55pm 1774342517

True, Tamaki electorate used to stop at West Tamaki Rd.

But old post office boundaries had Glen Innes start south of Riddell Rd, hence Sacred Heart College used to be described as being in Glen Innes. But over time suburb creep brought Glendowie down to West Tamaki.

by lfk | 24th Mar 26, 1:31pm 1774312317

She came, she saw, she took away pay equity. Guessing being the face of that wouldn't be great going into the election.

by murray86 | 24th Mar 26, 1:50pm 1774313449

agreed, but with nine years under her belt she'll be able to retire now on a retirement package that most ordinary Kiwis could only dream of. Their Kiwisaver was subsidised up to 20%.

by KKNZ2025 | 24th Mar 26, 2:24pm 1774315447

Someone had to do it after Labour rorted the previous legislation for billions to eg. pay social workers the same as air traffic controllers.

Not forgetting that NZ has had equal pay for over 50 years, men in lower paid professions getting paid the same as women for equal skills, competence and performance.

I've only admiration for her principled stand.

by JimboJones | 24th Mar 26, 3:01pm 1774317680

This is the most important equality stat of all: New Zealand's life expectancy at birth for 2022–2024 is 80.1 years for males and 83.5 years for females. Is that just ignored because its males losing out not females? If we're doing more of the jobs that kill us, shouldn't we be paid more overall?

by Bruce Crawford 4279 | 24th Mar 26, 3:02pm 1774317763

Maybe she could try getting a real job in the real world, as opposed to the cloistered privilege world she had inhabited most of her working life.

However she won't have to worry too much about working for a living, she has qualified to have her snout in the taxpayer trough for as long as she lives.!

by MikeM7382 | 24th Mar 26, 4:04pm 1774321499

Perhaps she wants to start a family?

by Bruce Crawford 4279 | 24th Mar 26, 4:17pm 1774322264

Maybe, but why do it when she has to pay for it, instead of putting it on the taxpayer tab.?

by KH | 24th Mar 26, 4:42pm 1774323734

A loss to New Zealand. Imagine how good she would be if she came back in another 9 years.