29 Facts About Todd McClay

Todd Michael McClay was born on 22 November 1968 and is a New Zealand politician and former ambassador.

Todd McClay was previously an ambassador for the Cook Islands and Niue to the European Union.

Todd McClay worked in the European Parliament as Head of Staff to Lord Plumb, President of the European Parliament and Leader of the British Conservatives in the European Parliament.

Todd McClay has been active in European government affairs and lobbying and was a founder and CEO of a company, Political Relationship Management.

Todd McClay has been active in Pacific Islands, European and New Zealand diplomacy and politics since 1992, and was the Cook Islands' first accredited diplomat outside of the Pacific region.

Todd McClay remains the youngest-ever appointed Head of Mission to the European Union.

In 2002 the Cook Islands government upgraded its representation to the level of diplomatic mission, at which time Todd McClay was appointed Ambassador to the EU.

Todd McClay has represented the Cook Islands at many international meetings and conferences, including the WTO, FAO, ACP, EU and UN.

In 2008, Todd McClay was selected as the National Party candidate to stand for the Rotorua electorate in the 2008 New Zealand general election, running against incumbent Labour MP Steve Chadwick.

Todd McClay won the seat of Rotorua on election night with a majority of 5,065.

Todd McClay was sworn in as a Member of Parliament on 8 December 2008.

In 2011, Todd McClay was reelected as the Member of Parliament for Rotorua increasing his majority to 7,357 votes.

In late June 2012, Todd McClay announced his intention to bring a bill before Parliament to prohibit the display of gang insignia in all government premises, schools and hospitals in New Zealand.

On 30 August 2012, Todd McClay voted against the Marriage Amendment Bill, a bill allowing same-sex couples to marry in New Zealand.

In September 2014, Todd McClay was again elected as Member of Parliament for Rotorua with an increased majority of 7,418, after beating Labour candidate and former TV weatherman, Tamati Coffey.

Todd McClay retained State Owned Enterprises and Associate Foreign Affairs, while handing over Inland Revenue to Michael Woodhouse.

In late July 2016, Todd McClay was rebuked by Prime Minister John Key for downplaying concerns that China would retaliate if New Zealand undertook an investigation of Chinese steel dumping.

In 2017, Todd McClay represented his party in Beijing before a dialogue organised by the International Liaison Department of the Chinese Communist Party.

Todd McClay referred to the Xinjiang internment camps as "vocational training centers" in line with CCP talking points.

In late August 2019, former National MP Jami-Lee Ross alleged that Todd McClay had helped to facilitate a NZ$150,000 to the National Party in his capacity as Trade Minister in 2016 from a company owned by Chinese millionaire Lin Lang.

Todd McClay was one of only eight MPs to vote against the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Act 2022.

Todd McClay voted against it at its first reading, for it at its second reading, and against it at its third and final reading.

Todd McClay retained his 16th place ranking within Luxon's shadow cabinet.

In late November 2023, Todd McClay was sworn in as a Minister taking responsibility of the Agriculture, Forestry, Hunting and Fishing, and Trade portfolios.

Todd McClay was appointed as the Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs.

In mid December 2023, Todd McClay accepted the role of Vice-Chair for the World Trade Organization's 13th Ministerial Conference at Abu Dhabi in 2024.

On 11 June 2024, Todd McClay confirmed that the Government would exclude agriculture from the NZ emissions trading scheme.

On 30 July 2024, Todd McClay apologised after telling Green Party MP Ricardo Menendez March "you're not in Mexico now, we don't do things like that here" during a parliamentary sitting.

Todd McClay has four adult children with his wife, Nadene, and lives in Rotorua.