June 27, 2026 • 10 mins
Nicole McKee will be the new ACT Party Deputy Leader, replacing Brooke Van Velden who's leaving politics this year.
Nicole only stood for Parliament six years ago, coming with a background as a small-business owner, volunteer and firearms advocate.
But she's risen through the ranks, becoming a cabinet minister, minister for courts, and rewriting the Firearms Act.
Party Leader David Seymour's confident in her, noting that she's is straight-forward, principled, practical, and never forgets the voters she represents.
So what will Nicole bring to the table, to advance the party's ambitions? The new ACT Party Deputy Leader Nicole McKee joins Tim Beveridge to explain.
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Speaker 1 (00:05):
You're listening to the Weekend Collective podcast from News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
Yes, welcome back and look as we all know from
the headlines. In a chat with David Seamore, the Act
Party has revealed in its AGM today that Nicole McKee
will be their new deputy leader, replacing Brook van Valden,
who's leaving politics this year. You might actually see Nicole
as something of a fresh face. Somewhat of a fresh face,
only standing for Parliament six years ago and coming from
(00:31):
a background as a small business owner, volunteer and firearms advocacy.
But she's risen through the ranks pretty fast, becoming a
Cabinet Minister, Minister for Courts and spearheading the rewrite of
the Firearms Act to improve public safety while treating firearms
owners fairly. Party leader David Seymour's confident in her being
(00:52):
the perfect choice for deputy leader. He notes that Nicole straightforward, principled,
practical and never forgets the voter she represents, and he
adds that the party's role is to fix what matters,
restore common sense and stand up for taxpayers. So what
is Nicole mcke going to bring to the table to
advance the party's ambitions. New at party deputy leader Nicole
McKee joins me.
Speaker 3 (01:12):
Now, good afternoon, Good afternoon, Tim, great to be with you.
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
I wasn't surprised, were you.
Speaker 3 (01:20):
Well, we go through a process with caucus where we
have to not just be given any of these opportunities,
but actually go for them and see whether or not
we get them. So I'm grateful. Am I surprised? I
am really, because I never thought I'd be a politician,
let alone the deputy leader of a political party.
Speaker 2 (01:40):
What was the process?
Speaker 3 (01:43):
Well, it's a caucus process, so we keep it within ourselves.
But I mean, effectively, we vote on who we think
is the best person to be in the position of
both leader and deputy leader. Of course this one was
the deputy leader. But how we go about that. We
just keep it to ourselves. It's one of the few
benefits we get as the caucus is to keep something
(02:04):
so selves.
Speaker 2 (02:06):
Okay, it makes me very curious all of a sudden,
but anyway, Look, you're stepping into Brook, stepping into Broo
van Velden's shoes. How different are you going to be?
What sort of deputy leader do you intend to be? Well?
Speaker 3 (02:18):
I think It's not that I'll be different. I mean
we are different people, we have different styles, but we
have the same values and we have the same drive.
So I guess what I'll be doing is a lot
more on the party side of things. I really want
to get to know all of our candidates and support
them as we head them for the elections, seeking that
party vote that we need to be able to have
(02:40):
this government comeback and for it to be stronger than
it was in this term of government.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
What are your top priorities that are going to be
I guess, apart from the obvious when the next election.
Speaker 3 (02:53):
Yes, well, you know, from my perspective, I've had a
big role in this parliamentary term with rewriting the Arms Act,
and so next term I need to be able to
implement that. So I'll be looking for the party vote
for AX so that I can implement the firearm laws,
but also get through some of the other work that
we have underway, such as AML, cutting red tape for people,
(03:15):
opening up opportunities for New Zealand once again, so that
we can really get to our potential as a country
and start thriving, whether that be an education and how
it's just all those opportunities out there, showcasing to people
that we can do it. We've done it before, we
can do it again. Let's get this country up and
running with all those fantastic opportunities that we've got.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
You mentioned your firearms advocacy role. That is also going
to be because it's a contentious sort of portfolio with
people will be wanting to attack you on that. You know,
on your firearm stances. I mean, are you going to
have to sort of in a way try and become
a bit more warm and fuzzy on a few things.
Speaker 3 (03:55):
Well, I think I am kind of warm and fuzzy
on a few things actually, and I've had a lot
of abuse over firearms for the last six years. But
you know what really stands out for me is the
fact that I've written the law and when it got
through or went through its first reading, it was unanimously
supported by all parties across the house. So if anything,
that shows me that Labor realized what they did and
(04:17):
the way they went about doing it was wrong and
it does need fixing. So, you know, you get through
all of that, all of the personal attacks on you,
and see if you can come out the other end
with a good piece of legislation, and so far it
looks on trap to be that way.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
You've pointed out your background as a wife, a mum,
a business owner, and a volunteer. How has that shaped
your approach to politics.
Speaker 3 (04:41):
I think that makes me a real person. I see
a lot of attacks on politicians across the board that
they all come from rich families and actual fact, if
you have a look at all of ax caucus that
we have now, we all come from real backgrounds. We're
real kei wes that want to see achievement in those
opportunities open up for everybody. If I look at myself, Tim,
(05:02):
and you may not remember this, but you and I
actually worked at the same law firm in and I
started off as a legal secretary and you were a
junior lawyer under Robert Name at the time. Now look
at us now you're on Bradio. I'm a cabinet minister,
deputy leader of a political party. And this is what
I mean by opportunities are out there for everybody. You've
(05:25):
just got to take them when they are available to you.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Oh my god, that sort of sent me reeling actually
going back to those days. Crikey, the old days of
East Brewster crikey. Now, look, there's a key message today
I think about locking labor out of the next election. Actually,
are they the biggest problem labor or are you more
(05:48):
worried about their friends?
Speaker 3 (05:51):
Well, you know their friends are only going to be
their friends of labour gain. And this is why it's
so important that we actually do conscientiously as voters this
year look to lock labor out, because otherwise those opportunities
I've been talking about, they will just they'll disappear into
a government that just wants to throw tax payer money
at people hoping it's going to fix a problem. And
(06:12):
those smaller parties have all said that's exactly what they
want to do. So your lock labor out, you make
sure you give your party vote to act, and you
will end up with a stronger government that will look
after people and make sure that we're going to go
in the right direction.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
At the moment, it seems Winston's getting a lot of headlines.
How are you guys going to start to see some
of the narrative.
Speaker 3 (06:34):
Well, I think what we will be showing or showcasing
to people over the next few months is what we've
actually achieved. Acts had their head down, working really hard
on the policies that we said we were going to
do or bring and create for people. Over the last term.
A lot of those policies are starting to come to
fruition and so our showcase will be what we've actually delivered.
(06:55):
And I can't see New Zealand first being able to
get anywhere near the same amount of policy deliveries. Is
what the ACT Party has and that's what we need
to show people in order for them to loan us
at party vote.
Speaker 2 (07:06):
Is that One of the challenges though that I sometimes
have the suspicion that facts and achievements and you know,
whatever you want to tick off on the ledger that
you want to achieve gets lost in just the hyperbole
of elections. How do you sort of get your story
with a bit of cut through.
Speaker 3 (07:24):
Yeah, that's going to be a real challenge for us
is making sure that we can get those wins out
there to the voters. And a big part of that
will be out there campaigning our candidates all across New Zealand,
spreading the good work about what we have achieved, showing
that there is a difference between the doers and the talkers.
And ACT definitely the doers. Excellent.
Speaker 2 (07:44):
Hey, look, good luck with everything Nicole. That was Thanks
for the blast in the past from the legal days
and that makes me feel old. Anyway, Hey, thanks so
much for your time and all the best.
Speaker 3 (07:55):
No worries. Thanks Tom, take care.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
Okay, bye bye. Yeah. Nicle McKeith and you Act Party
deputy letter, I have to say sort of threw me
there when she said we worked together, and I was like,
oh my god, when did we work back in the
right of I legal days? BlimE me. Anyway, your thoughts
on Nicole McKey as act new deputy leader, And you know,
(08:19):
it's funny, it's probably that thing she touched on because
I remember those days and she would have been there
as a legal exec I think, and probably not long
too long before I left. But you know, I remember
or the people who worked at that firm, and Nicole
actually the people she would have worked with and respected.
(08:41):
It actually reminds me and sort of focuses a little
bit my thoughts on what I think of her as
the deputy leader. And she is pretty much a grassroots keiw.
She's not someone who's come from a privileged background or anything.
She's worked really hard for where she's got and I
(09:02):
think she's a great, great replacement to come and be
the new deputy leader for ACT. And I think probably
that grassroots type of personality she comes across. I mean,
when you think of it, she's only been in politics for
six years, and yeah, I think she's going to do
a good job. What do you reckon? What do you
think of the appointment of Nicole McKee as Act's new
(09:25):
deputy leader eight hundred eighty ten eighty will take some
calls on that. Also, just a couple of things that
David Seymour touched on that if you are supporting ACT,
what is it you're looking to them to achieve? But
if you don't like them, what is it that you
don't like? But also he referred to three things he
really wants to get on top of, and that's bloated government,
(09:45):
red tape and identity politics. What would be top of
your list out of those three? I mean, now I
think of it, it's not that easy to make the choice,
but the identity politics would be the one I'd be
wanting to get on top of straight away. So yeah,
your response to that eight hundred eighty ten eighty, eight
hundred eighty ten eighty. Text it's nine two nine two.
(10:07):
It's over to you. Give us a call. I'd love
to hear from you. It's twenty three minutes to Ford
News Talks EDB.
Speaker 1 (10:12):
For more from the weekend collective, Listen live to News
Talks EDB weekends from three pm, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Collective podcast from News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
Yes, welcome back and look as we all know from
the headlines. In a chat with David Seamore, the Act
Party has revealed in its AGM today that Nicole McKee
will be their new deputy leader, replacing Brook van Valden,
who's leaving politics this year. You might actually see Nicole
as something of a fresh face. Somewhat of a fresh face,
only standing for Parliament six years ago and coming from
(00:31):
a background as a small business owner, volunteer and firearms advocacy.
But she's risen through the ranks pretty fast, becoming a
Cabinet Minister, Minister for Courts and spearheading the rewrite of
the Firearms Act to improve public safety while treating firearms
owners fairly. Party leader David Seymour's confident in her being
(00:52):
the perfect choice for deputy leader. He notes that Nicole straightforward, principled,
practical and never forgets the voter she represents, and he
adds that the party's role is to fix what matters,
restore common sense and stand up for taxpayers. So what
is Nicole mcke going to bring to the table to
advance the party's ambitions. New at party deputy leader Nicole
McKee joins me.
Speaker 3 (01:12):
Now, good afternoon, Good afternoon, Tim, great to be with you.
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
I wasn't surprised, were you.
Speaker 3 (01:20):
Well, we go through a process with caucus where we
have to not just be given any of these opportunities,
but actually go for them and see whether or not
we get them. So I'm grateful. Am I surprised? I
am really, because I never thought I'd be a politician,
let alone the deputy leader of a political party.
Speaker 2 (01:40):
What was the process?
Speaker 3 (01:43):
Well, it's a caucus process, so we keep it within ourselves.
But I mean, effectively, we vote on who we think
is the best person to be in the position of
both leader and deputy leader. Of course this one was
the deputy leader. But how we go about that. We
just keep it to ourselves. It's one of the few
benefits we get as the caucus is to keep something
(02:04):
so selves.
Speaker 2 (02:06):
Okay, it makes me very curious all of a sudden,
but anyway, Look, you're stepping into Brook, stepping into Broo
van Velden's shoes. How different are you going to be?
What sort of deputy leader do you intend to be? Well?
Speaker 3 (02:18):
I think It's not that I'll be different. I mean
we are different people, we have different styles, but we
have the same values and we have the same drive.
So I guess what I'll be doing is a lot
more on the party side of things. I really want
to get to know all of our candidates and support
them as we head them for the elections, seeking that
party vote that we need to be able to have
(02:40):
this government comeback and for it to be stronger than
it was in this term of government.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
What are your top priorities that are going to be
I guess, apart from the obvious when the next election.
Speaker 3 (02:53):
Yes, well, you know, from my perspective, I've had a
big role in this parliamentary term with rewriting the Arms Act,
and so next term I need to be able to
implement that. So I'll be looking for the party vote
for AX so that I can implement the firearm laws,
but also get through some of the other work that
we have underway, such as AML, cutting red tape for people,
(03:15):
opening up opportunities for New Zealand once again, so that
we can really get to our potential as a country
and start thriving, whether that be an education and how
it's just all those opportunities out there, showcasing to people
that we can do it. We've done it before, we
can do it again. Let's get this country up and
running with all those fantastic opportunities that we've got.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
You mentioned your firearms advocacy role. That is also going
to be because it's a contentious sort of portfolio with
people will be wanting to attack you on that. You know,
on your firearm stances. I mean, are you going to
have to sort of in a way try and become
a bit more warm and fuzzy on a few things.
Speaker 3 (03:55):
Well, I think I am kind of warm and fuzzy
on a few things actually, and I've had a lot
of abuse over firearms for the last six years. But
you know what really stands out for me is the
fact that I've written the law and when it got
through or went through its first reading, it was unanimously
supported by all parties across the house. So if anything,
that shows me that Labor realized what they did and
(04:17):
the way they went about doing it was wrong and
it does need fixing. So, you know, you get through
all of that, all of the personal attacks on you,
and see if you can come out the other end
with a good piece of legislation, and so far it
looks on trap to be that way.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
You've pointed out your background as a wife, a mum,
a business owner, and a volunteer. How has that shaped
your approach to politics.
Speaker 3 (04:41):
I think that makes me a real person. I see
a lot of attacks on politicians across the board that
they all come from rich families and actual fact, if
you have a look at all of ax caucus that
we have now, we all come from real backgrounds. We're
real kei wes that want to see achievement in those
opportunities open up for everybody. If I look at myself, Tim,
(05:02):
and you may not remember this, but you and I
actually worked at the same law firm in and I
started off as a legal secretary and you were a
junior lawyer under Robert Name at the time. Now look
at us now you're on Bradio. I'm a cabinet minister,
deputy leader of a political party. And this is what
I mean by opportunities are out there for everybody. You've
(05:25):
just got to take them when they are available to you.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Oh my god, that sort of sent me reeling actually
going back to those days. Crikey, the old days of
East Brewster crikey. Now, look, there's a key message today
I think about locking labor out of the next election. Actually,
are they the biggest problem labor or are you more
(05:48):
worried about their friends?
Speaker 3 (05:51):
Well, you know their friends are only going to be
their friends of labour gain. And this is why it's
so important that we actually do conscientiously as voters this
year look to lock labor out, because otherwise those opportunities
I've been talking about, they will just they'll disappear into
a government that just wants to throw tax payer money
at people hoping it's going to fix a problem. And
(06:12):
those smaller parties have all said that's exactly what they
want to do. So your lock labor out, you make
sure you give your party vote to act, and you
will end up with a stronger government that will look
after people and make sure that we're going to go
in the right direction.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
At the moment, it seems Winston's getting a lot of headlines.
How are you guys going to start to see some
of the narrative.
Speaker 3 (06:34):
Well, I think what we will be showing or showcasing
to people over the next few months is what we've
actually achieved. Acts had their head down, working really hard
on the policies that we said we were going to
do or bring and create for people. Over the last term.
A lot of those policies are starting to come to
fruition and so our showcase will be what we've actually delivered.
(06:55):
And I can't see New Zealand first being able to
get anywhere near the same amount of policy deliveries. Is
what the ACT Party has and that's what we need
to show people in order for them to loan us
at party vote.
Speaker 2 (07:06):
Is that One of the challenges though that I sometimes
have the suspicion that facts and achievements and you know,
whatever you want to tick off on the ledger that
you want to achieve gets lost in just the hyperbole
of elections. How do you sort of get your story
with a bit of cut through.
Speaker 3 (07:24):
Yeah, that's going to be a real challenge for us
is making sure that we can get those wins out
there to the voters. And a big part of that
will be out there campaigning our candidates all across New Zealand,
spreading the good work about what we have achieved, showing
that there is a difference between the doers and the talkers.
And ACT definitely the doers. Excellent.
Speaker 2 (07:44):
Hey, look, good luck with everything Nicole. That was Thanks
for the blast in the past from the legal days
and that makes me feel old. Anyway, Hey, thanks so
much for your time and all the best.
Speaker 3 (07:55):
No worries. Thanks Tom, take care.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
Okay, bye bye. Yeah. Nicle McKeith and you Act Party
deputy letter, I have to say sort of threw me
there when she said we worked together, and I was like,
oh my god, when did we work back in the
right of I legal days? BlimE me. Anyway, your thoughts
on Nicole McKey as act new deputy leader, And you know,
(08:19):
it's funny, it's probably that thing she touched on because
I remember those days and she would have been there
as a legal exec I think, and probably not long
too long before I left. But you know, I remember
or the people who worked at that firm, and Nicole
actually the people she would have worked with and respected.
(08:41):
It actually reminds me and sort of focuses a little
bit my thoughts on what I think of her as
the deputy leader. And she is pretty much a grassroots keiw.
She's not someone who's come from a privileged background or anything.
She's worked really hard for where she's got and I
(09:02):
think she's a great, great replacement to come and be
the new deputy leader for ACT. And I think probably
that grassroots type of personality she comes across. I mean,
when you think of it, she's only been in politics for
six years, and yeah, I think she's going to do
a good job. What do you reckon? What do you
think of the appointment of Nicole McKee as Act's new
(09:25):
deputy leader eight hundred eighty ten eighty will take some
calls on that. Also, just a couple of things that
David Seymour touched on that if you are supporting ACT,
what is it you're looking to them to achieve? But
if you don't like them, what is it that you
don't like? But also he referred to three things he
really wants to get on top of, and that's bloated government,
(09:45):
red tape and identity politics. What would be top of
your list out of those three? I mean, now I
think of it, it's not that easy to make the choice,
but the identity politics would be the one I'd be
wanting to get on top of straight away. So yeah,
your response to that eight hundred eighty ten eighty, eight
hundred eighty ten eighty. Text it's nine two nine two.
(10:07):
It's over to you. Give us a call. I'd love
to hear from you. It's twenty three minutes to Ford
News Talks EDB.
Speaker 1 (10:12):
For more from the weekend collective, Listen live to News
Talks EDB weekends from three pm, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio
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