Vanessa Weenink

Vanessa Weenink (born 8 November 1978) is a New Zealand politician. She was elected as a Member of the New Zealand House of Representatives for Banks Peninsula, representing the National Party, in the 2023 New Zealand general election. She is a doctor by training.

Vanessa Weenink
MP
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Banks Peninsula
Assumed office
2023
Personal details
Born (1978-11-08) 8 November 1978
Political partyNational
Children5

Early life and family

Weenink was born on 8 November 1978 at Holmdale, the maternity hospital in Blenheim. Her parents were Ross and Joan Weenink.[1][2] She grew up in Canvastown.[3] She is married to oncologist Matthew Strother; the couple share a blended family of five children.[4]

Medical career

Weenink trained as a doctor and worked as a general practitioner for 20 years. She was also an army medical officer.[4]

Weenink became involved in medical advocacy in 2019, and was the deputy chair of the New Zealand Medical Association (NZMA) and chair of the NZMA's General Practitioners Council. She had previously been a member of the Labour Party and had campaigned alongside Duncan Webb in Christchurch Central in 2017, but resigned in order to be more involved with the NZMA. After the NZMA was disestablished in 2022, she joined the National Party.[5]

Political career
New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate List Party
2023–present 54th Banks Peninsula 40 National

Weenink had previously been a member of the Labour Party and had campaigned alongside Duncan Webb in Christchurch Central in 2017, but resigned in order to be more involved with the NZMA. After the NZMA was disestablished in 2022, she joined the National Party.[5] She unsuccessfully sought the National Party nomination for Ilam for the 2023 general election, but was unsuccessful. [4]

She was announced as National's candidate for Banks Peninsula in March 2023[5] and was also a National Party list candidate, ranked 40th. According to preliminary results, Weenink won the electorate with an 83-vote lead over incumbent Tracey McLellan. However, special votes are yet to be counted.[6]

References
  1. "Births". The Press. 14 November 1978. p. 37. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  2. "Joan Weenink". The Press. 23 November 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  3. "Q+A with Dr. Vanessa Weenink". Cantabrian Magazine. 2 May 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  4. Johnston, Martin (24 November 2022). "Hoping to be a doctor in the House: GP Vanessa Weenink eyes Banks Peninsula seat for National". Archived from the original on 21 February 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  5. Gooch, Carly (5 March 2023). "Former Labour Party member becomes National candidate". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  6. "Banks Peninsula – Preliminary Count". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
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