1. Michael David Butterick is a New Zealand farmer and politician.
12 Facts About Mike Butterick
1. 2.
Mike Butterick was elected as a Member of the New Zealand House of Representatives for Wairarapa, representing the National Party, in the 2023 New Zealand general election.
3.
Mike Butterick grew up in mid-Canterbury, and began his agricultural career as a shepherd in Canterbury.
4.
Mike Butterick moved to the Wairarapa region in 1990 and bought a property there in 1995, where he farms sheep and beef.
5.
Mike Butterick is the Meat and Wool Chair of the Wairarapa branch of Federated Farmers, and is a director of Wings over Wairarapa.
6.
Mike Butterick has been a spokesperson for the rural lobby group Fifty Shades of Green, which campaigns against the conversion of sheep farms to forestry.
7.
Mike Butterick says the group are concerned about the social, environmental and economic effects on rural communities of increased forestry.
8.
Mike Butterick tried to convert a farm he owned in Te Wharau to a national park, but when that failed and it did not sell as a farm, he sold it to a forestry company.
9.
Mike Butterick was selected as the National Party candidate for the Wairarapa electorate in May 2020, following incumbent MP Alastair Scott's decision to retire.
10.
On 18 March 2023, Mike Butterick was selected to contest Wairarapa again for the 2023 election.
11.
Mike Butterick was placed in 61st position on the 2023 party list.
12.
Mike Butterick is married to Rachel, with whom he has a son and three daughters.