Scott Willis (politician)

Scott Willis is a New Zealand politician, representing the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand as a Member of Parliament since the 2023 New Zealand general election.[1]

Scott Willis
MP
Willis in 2023
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Green party list
Assumed office
2023
Personal details
BornDunedin, New Zealand
Political partyGreen Party of Aotearoa New Zealand

Early life

Willis was born in Dunedin and grew up on a farm in Otago.[2][1] He attended the University of Otago, and then worked on orchards and farms in the Cévennes region of France.[1] Willis later interned at the European Parliament.[1] He is described as an "energy-focused climate consultant".[3] As general manager of Blueskin Energy Ltd, Willis was involved in attempts to get wind turbines in Blueskin Bay, and in the building of New Zealand's first climate-safe house in 2020.[4][5] Willis is one of a panel of writers who contribute regularly to the Otago Daily Times on sustainability and climate change subjects.[6][7][8][9][10] He has also advocated for the restoration of passenger train services in the South Island.[11]

At the campaign launch in June, Willis said "We need a strong voice on the hospital build and our health services; for all whānau living in cold, damp mouldy homes; for our tertiary education - our University and Te Pukenga. We need a strong voice and forward thinking for South Dunedin and our rural and energy sectors, for decarbonising to deliver climate justice."[12]

Political career

New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate List Party
2023present 54th List 12 Green

Willis contested the Taieri electorate in the 2020 election, when he came third to Labour MP Ingrid Leary and National Party candidate Liam Kernaghan, with 2207 votes.[12][13]

Willis stood again for Taieri in the 2023 election. He was twelfth on the national list.[14] Preliminary results show he received 3066 votes, coming third to incumbent Ingrid Leary, and National Party candidate Matthew French.[15]

References

  1. "Scott Willis | Taieri | List Rank #12".
  2. "Scott Willis - Greens candidate for Taieri".
  3. Coughlan, Thomas (17 January 2023). "Efeso Collins among list of likely Green candidates for 2023 election". New Zealand Herald.
  4. Munro, Bruce (15 October 2012). "Green power out of the blue". Otago Daily Times.
  5. MacLean, Hamish (4 November 2020). "Climate Safe House being put to market". Otago Daily Times.
  6. Willis, Scott (4 April 2022). "No time for diluted ambitions". Otago Daily Times.
  7. Willis, Scott (20 February 2023). "Thinking local". Otago Daily Times.
  8. Willis, Scott (26 September 2022). "Taking the responsibility seriously". Otago Daily Times.
  9. Willis, Scott (30 May 2022). "A common sense recipe". Otago Daily Times.
  10. Willis, Scott (26 July 2021). "Making our way to a regenerative future". Otago Daily Times.
  11. Willis, Scott (21 September 2023). "Why the Green Party wants passenger rail in the South".
  12. "Push for 'strong Green vote' in south at campaign launch". Radio New Zealand. 24 June 2023.
  13. "Taieri - Official Result". Electoral Commission.
  14. "Green Party candidate list includes nine Māori". Te Ao News. 20 May 2023.
  15. "Electoral Commission: Electorate Status: Taieri - Preliminary Count". Electoral Commission. October 2023.
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