Minister and National MP for Papakura Hon Judith Collins KC is honoured that she will be appointed President of the Law Commission: Te Aka Matua o te Ture following a political career spanning 24 years.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today announced Ms Collins will be appointed to the Law Commission from mid-2026.
Ms Collins says it has been a privilege to serve New Zealand in a variety of Ministerial portfolios since being elected to represent the then electorate of Clevedon in 2002 – which later became Papakura.
“I could not have done it without the unwavering support of my husband, David, and son, James, who have kept the home fires burning since I was first elected. As all MPs know, our families are the unsung heroes who allow us to do the very public job that we do for New Zealanders.
“I want to say a huge thanks to the Prime Minister for his confidence in my abilities. I started this term with eight portfolios and I am announcing my retirement from politics with seven, having been a minister in four terms of government.
“The workload has been huge but the opportunities to be part of a Government that is fixing the basics and building the future for all New Zealanders has been an honour. Thank you, Prime Minister, for trusting me and for allowing me to get on and do my job. I know the country is in good hands with you at the helm.
“A real highlight of this term, for me, has been landing the Defence Capability Plan – a crucial recognition of the increasingly uncertain global climate. For those who would question why New Zealand needs to step up on the international stage, I have a question for you: why should anyone defend us if we do not defend ourselves.
“We no longer live in a benign strategic environment – if we ever really did – and we need to play our part.
“The highlights of my political career have been many, and it is hard to pick out just a few, but there are some standouts:
- The conclusion just last month of a long-standing private litigation which restored ownership of land in the Top of the South to its original owners.
- The Judicature Modernisation Bill, which was key in improving the transparency of court and judicial processes.
- Banning smoking in prisons, leading to better health and financial outcomes for prisoners and their families.
- Another standout is being the first Minister for Technology and for Space, areas of incredible opportunity for New Zealanders.
“I have held portfolios ranging from Police to Corrections, from Justice to Attorney-General, and had the honour of leading the National Party from July 2020 to November 2021, during the COVID pandemic.
“Through all this time I have been supported by very capable and committed teams, both political and those seconded from departments. Their hours are long and their workloads are large, and it has never gone unnoticed. To them I say thank you.
“I also want to pay tribute to the electorate volunteers who have worked with me during my time as the local MP. I simply could not have done this job without you.
“Before being elected to Parliament I practised law for 21 years. Some might say law is my first love, so it seems fitting it will soon be my professional focus once again.”
Background:
Ms Collins’ legal background includes:
- Former Auckland District Law Society [now The Law Association] president
- The New Zealand Law Society vice-president
- Casino Control Authority chair
- Housing New Zealand company director
- Western Sydney University Adjunct Professor of Law
The Law Commission: Te Aka Matua o te Ture is an Independent Crown Entity established to review, reform and develop law.
Ms Collins has held the following portfolios:
- ACC
- Attorney-General
- Corrections (twice)
- Defence
- Digitising Government
- Energy and Resources
- Ethnic Communities (twice)
- Government Communications and Security Bureau
- Government Response to the Royal Commission’s Report into the Terrorist Attack on the Christchurch Mosques
- Justice
- New Zealand Security Intelligence Service
- Police (twice)
- Public Service
- Revenue
- Science, Innovation and Technology
- Serious Fraud Office
- Space
- Veterans
