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Quick Facts
Biography
Philip Stoner Twyford (born 4 May 1963), known as Phil Twyford, is a politician from New Zealand and a member of the Labour Party. He has been a member of parliament since 2008. He is the Labour Party MP for Te Atatū.
Early years
Twyford was born in 1963. His middle name, Stoner, is the maiden name of his mother. He is the founder director of Oxfam New Zealand.
Member of Parliament
Parliament of New Zealand | ||||
Years | Term | Electorate | List | Party |
2008–2011 | 49th | List | 26 | Labour |
2011–2014 | 50th | Te Atatū | 33 | Labour |
2014 – present | 51st | Te Atatū | 7 | Labour |
Twyford stood for election in the North Shore electorate at the 2005 and 2008 elections. He placed second both times but in 2008 he was elected as a list MP.
Twyford was appointed Labour's spokesperson for Disarmament and Arms Control, Auckland Issues, and associate spokesperson for Foreign Affairs - Development Assistance by Labour leader Phil Goff.
In 2009, Twyford's Local Government (Protection of Auckland Assets) Amendment Bill was drawn from the member's ballot, but failed to pass its first reading. Twyford promoted the bill because of concerns that the reorganisation of Auckland's local governance by National and Act into a "Supercity" unity was partially to allow the sell-off of public assets, a claim his opponents claimed was "scaremongering". Twyford continues to be involved in the matter of Auckland's local government reorganisation, and is a Labour representative on the select committee on the associated Auckland Law Reform bill.
In September 2010, his Depleted Uranium (Prohibition) Bill, which would ban depleted uranium weapons and armour from New Zealand, was drawn from the member's ballot. It was debated in June 2012, and failed to advance on a tied vote.
Twyford is currently Labour Spokesperson for Housing and Auckland Issues, and Associate Spokesperson for the Environment. He is also a member of the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee.
Political views
In his maiden speech to Parliament, Twyford expressed support for a New Zealand republic.