Nicky Wagner: Political Career and Contributions

Nicky Wagner is a prominent New Zealand politician from the National Party, who has had a long career in politics, starting from her initial unsuccessful campaigns to becoming an important minister in the government. This article highlights key milestones in her political career.

Nicky Wagner: Political Journey and Contributions of a New Zealand Politician

Early Political Beginnings

Nicky Wagner began her political career in 2002 when she was selected as the National Party’s candidate for Christchurch Central in the general election. Although she lost to the incumbent Tim Barnett, this event marked the beginning of her political journey. With a ranking of 37th on the party list, Wagner was not elected as a list MP due to the overall poor result for the National Party at that time.

Success and Notable Milestones

However, Nicky Wagner didn’t give up. She was reselected as the National Party’s candidate for Christchurch Central in the 2005 general election, with an improved ranking of 28 on the party list. Wagner won the election and was elected as a list MP when National Party gained 39.1% of the vote.

Before entering Parliament, Wagner had supported the NZ Flag.com Trust’s campaign for a referendum on New Zealand’s flag, stating that “our flag should celebrate our nation’s identity and our special footprint on this earth. We will always respect and cherish our links with the past that are represented in our present flag, but a young country needs to create a strong vision for its future.” In her maiden speech in Parliament in 2005, Wagner said, “Strong countries built this country, but we, the present generation, are free-riding on the efforts of those who have gone before.”

Committee Involvement and Early Term

During her first term in Parliament (2005–2008), Wagner served on several key committees. She was a member of the Justice and Electoral Select Committee and, in the final two months of the term, served on the Local Government and Environment Committee. Although Wagner lost her electorate race in 2008, she was returned as a list MP by reducing Labour’s majority by nearly 7,000 votes.

In her second term, Wagner held prominent positions in various committees, including Deputy Chair of the Local Government and Environment Committee, and also served on the Health Committee and the Emissions Trading Scheme Review Committee.

Policy Stance and Views

Throughout her political career, Wagner has maintained a conservative voting record on social issues. She voted in favor of the Marriage (Gender Clarification) Amendment Bill in 2005, which aimed to define marriage as only between a man and a woman. In 2009, she voted against the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill, which sought to legalize cannabis for medicinal use. However, in 2012 and 2013, Wagner voted in favor of the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill, which legalized same-sex marriage in New Zealand.

Victory and Challenges in Christchurch Central

One of the defining moments in Wagner’s political career came in the 2011 Christchurch Central election. After a tightly contested race, Wagner won by a slim margin of just 47 votes, which came after special votes were counted. This marked the first time the National Party had ever held the Christchurch Central electorate since its creation in 1946.

Ministerial Roles and Policy Reforms

After the 2014 election, Nicky Wagner continued to hold important roles within the government. She was appointed a Minister outside Cabinet, taking on responsibilities as Minister of Customs, Minister of Statistics, Associate Minister for Conservation, and Associate Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery. In December 2016, she was appointed Associate Minister in the portfolios of Health and Tourism, and in May 2017, she became Minister supporting Greater Christchurch Regeneration.

Controversies and Social Media Criticism

In June 2017, Wagner faced online backlash after commenting on Twitter that she would “rather be out on the harbour” instead of attending disability meetings, which many found dismissive. Labour and Green politicians criticized the remark, questioning her commitment to the disability community.

Stepping Away from Politics

After losing her seat in the 2017 election to Labour’s Duncan Webb, Wagner continued to serve as a list MP but chose not to stand again for the 2020 election. From November 2017 to March 2018, she was the National Party’s spokesperson for disability issues, and later held spokesperson roles for arts, culture, heritage, and greater Christchurch regeneration until February 2020.

In 2024, Wagner was appointed as a member of the Nelson Marlborough Conservation Board, continuing her work in environmental conservation.

Local Government Career

Before her time in Parliament, Wagner also made significant contributions to local government. After the death of Environment Canterbury (ECan) councillor Peter Yeoman in 2002, and the resignation of Neil Cherry due to health reasons, Wagner was elected in the by-election to represent the Christchurch West constituency in 2003. She later resigned from her position in local government in 2007 after being elected to Parliament.

Nicky Wagner is a politician who has made significant contributions, not only to the political landscape of New Zealand but also in areas related to the environment and earthquake recovery. While she maintained conservative views on some social issues, her leadership and involvement in important reforms showcase her commitment to New Zealand’s growth and development. Her journey through the political arena reflects her dedication to public service and her ability to adapt to changing political landscapes.