19 Facts About Sam Uffindell

Samuel Julian Uffindell was born on September 1983 and is a New Zealand politician and former international banking executive.

Sam Uffindell has been a Member of Parliament for Tauranga, representing the National Party, since winning a by-election in June 2022.

Sam Uffindell's father was a computer company entrepreneur and his mother was later an English lecturer.

Sam Uffindell attended King's College, but at age sixteen was asked to leave after participating in a violent attack on a younger student.

Sam Uffindell finished his schooling at St Paul's Collegiate School in Hamilton.

Sam Uffindell earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Studies and a Bachelor of Commerce in Management at the University of Otago.

Sam Uffindell gained a Master of International Law and International Relations from the University of New South Wales.

Sam Uffindell returned to New Zealand in 2020 following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sam Uffindell has been a member of the National Party since 2008.

Sam Uffindell put his name forward for the National candidacy in the 2022 Tauranga by-election following the resignation of Simon Bridges in March 2022, and was officially announced as their candidate on 1 May Uffindell was a clear favourite for the election; Labour had not won the Tauranga electorate seat since 1935 and New Zealand First, the only party other than National to hold Tauranga since then, not standing a candidate.

Sam Uffindell received 11,613 votes to Tinetti's 5,259 and Luxton's 2,133.

Sam Uffindell was sworn in on 2 August 2022 and gave his maiden speech that day.

Sam Uffindell announced that he planned to lodge a member's bill which would make participation in gang convoys a finable offence.

Sam Uffindell offered the victim an apology in 2021,22 years after the attack, and nine months before he publicly announced his political aspirations.

Sam Uffindell denied these bullying allegations but did say he "enjoyed a student lifestyle", including drinking alcohol and smoking cannabis.

Sam Uffindell rejected accusations that he engaged in behaviour that was intimidatory or bullying.

Only Wood, Luxon and Sam Uffindell saw the report; deputy party leader Nicola Willis was excluded from the conversations and decisions about what conclusion would ultimately be presented to caucus.

In March 2025, Sam Uffindell introduced a member's bill with the stated goal of preserving equal suffrage in both local and central governments.

Sam Uffindell met his wife Julia at the University of Otago.