Minister for Rural Communities

Associate Minister Agriculture

Associate Minister Regional Development

Mark is a current Member of Parliament within the New Zealand First Caucus, and is the Minister for Rural Communities, Associate Minister for Agriculture and Associate Minister for Regional Development. Mark previously served as a Member of Parliament within the New Zealand First Caucus from 2017-2020.

Mark is an Otago sheep and beef farmer with more than 30 years of farming experience under his belt. Known as the ‘Minister for Wool’, Mark is an ambassador for strong-wool and actively supports the reinvigoration of the NZ woollen fibre industry and raise farmer returns.

From 2021-2023 he was the Chair of Otago Federated Farmers. Locally, Mark has a long background of community involvement and has contributed to significant community projects in roles such as Chair of the Lawrence to Waihola Cycle Trail extension, and Deputy Chair of the New Zealand Century Farms committee.

Spokesperson for:

• Agriculture
• Rural Communities
• Climate Change & ETS
• Land Information
• Statistics
• Employment & Employment Relations
• Biosecurity & Food Safety