As Minister for Economic Development, the Environment, Trade and Export Growth as well as Attorney-General and Associate Minister of Finance, Hon David Parker has one of the widest portfolios in the coalition Government.
 
We have invited him to speak on the Government’s economic strategy. With the CPTPP completed, the United States moving back towards the Pacific trade deal, and the NZ/EU Free Trade Agreement making slow progress, what are the prospects for trade policy? And how will the Government balance its environmental agenda with the promotion of trade and economic growth?

About the speaker

Hon David Parker serves as Attorney-General, Minister for Economic Development, Environment, and Trade and Export Growth and Associate Minister of Finance in the Sixth Labour Government.

He grew up and studied in Dunedin, graduating with a BCom/LLB from the University of Otago. He had a long career in business and law before being elected to Parliament as Labour Member of Parliament in the former electorate of Otago in 2002.

In his earlier years, David was a managing and litigation partner in South Island law firm Anderson Lloyd. He was also involved in many businesses, including innovative bio-tech export start-ups A2 Corporation, BLIS Technologies, Botryzen and Pharmazen, as well as in more traditional industries. He is an experienced CEO and company director.

David was appointed to Cabinet in 2005, and served as Minister of Energy, Climate Change, Transport, State Services, Attorney-General, and Land Information under Helen Clark’s Government. In Opposition, he served as Deputy Leader, Shadow Attorney General, and in Finance, Economic Development and various other roles.


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