Mark Arneil

Mark Arneil is a married father of three and grandfather of two, and will stand in the Christchurch Central electorate in the 2026 election.

He spent 30 years overseas building a successful career leading diverse teams across hospitality, recreation, and events in Australia, the UK, and the USA, before returning to New Zealand with a strong global perspective and a renewed commitment to public service.

Mark currently works as a Digital IT Business Partner, with a career that spans family-owned businesses, venture capital environments, large multinational organisations, and government sectors. Outside of his professional and political commitments, Mark is a keen sportsman and serves as Chairman of the Christchurch Football Club.

Mark is a member of the New Zealand First Board, and represented the Party as the Christchurch Central candidate in the 2020 and 2023 general elections.

Mark’s focus is on supporting hard working Kiwis by building a stronger, more self-reliant nation, improving educational and vocational outcomes for young people, and providing balanced, pragmatic, common-sense leadership and social policies for current and future generations.