18 Facts About Duncan Webb

Duncan Alexander Webb was born on 1967 and is a New Zealand lawyer and politician.

Duncan Webb was elected as a Member the New Zealand House of Representatives for Christchurch Central, representing the Labour Party, in the 2017 general election.

Duncan Webb was Chief Government Whip, Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and Minister for State Owned Enterprises in the Sixth Labour Government.

Duncan Webb's father had attended Bible college before becoming a pastor at the Maori Evangelical Fellowship Church in Wainoni.

Duncan Webb attended Shirley Boys' High School and left before finishing his final year, proceeding directly to the University of Canterbury to study law.

Duncan Webb graduated Bachelor of Laws with Honours in 1989 before being awarded a Doctor of Laws in 2007.

Duncan Webb has worked for the Public Interest Project, which seeks to get innocent people out of jail, and for the Howard League, which promotes prisoners' rights.

Duncan Webb is a long-time member of the Labour party, joining in 1999.

Labour had failed to regain the seat in the 2014 election and Duncan Webb was selected as the party's candidate for the 2017 election.

On 31 January 2023, prime minister Chris Hipkins announced a Cabinet reshuffle, in which Duncan Webb was appointed a Minister outside of Cabinet, with the portfolios of commerce and consumer affairs and state owned enterprises.

Duncan Webb held these positions until the government left office in November 2023.

Duncan Webb appointed the first New Zealand Grocery Commissioner and instituted unit pricing regulations.

Duncan Webb was re-elected in Christchurch Central for a third time in October 2023, defeating Dale Stephens by a decreased margin of 1,841 votes.

Duncan Webb is currently the Deputy Shadow Leader of the House and holds the justice, regulation, Earthquake Commission, and Christchurch Issues portfolios in the Shadow Cabinet of Chris Hipkins.

On 5 December 2023, Duncan Webb was granted retention of the title The Honourable, in recognition of his term as a member of the Executive Council.

Duncan Webb voted in favour of the End of Life Choice Bill in 2019 and Abortion Legislation Bill in 2020.

Duncan Webb has defended the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign as a form of non-violent protest against Israeli policies towards the Palestinians.

In early June 2018, Duncan Webb presented a petition on behalf of Palestinian solidarity activist Donna Miles that asked Parliament to request the New Zealand Superannuation Fund to divest from "illegal" Israeli settlements in the West Bank.