About Simeon

Pakuranga is one of the best places to raise a family in New Zealand. I am proud to live here with my wife Rebecca and our three children, Anna, Grace, and Thomas, and to represent this community as the local Member of Parliament since 2017.

Since the 2023 general election, I have served as a Cabinet Minister in the National-led Coalition Government with responsibility in four portfolios: Transport, Local Government, Energy, and Auckland.

As a Minister, and among other tasks, I have led work to:

  • Pass legislation repealing the unfair Ute Tax.
  • Confirm that EVs and hybrids will have to pay road user charges at a reduced rate from 1 April 2024.
  • Remove the Auckland Regional Fuel Tax from 1 July 2024.
  • Repeal the divisive Three Waters legislation and announced plans to implement National's Local Water Done Well policy as a replacement by mid-2025.
  • Release the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport outlining 15 new Roads of National Significance, 4 major public transport projects, and a $500 million Pothole Prevention Fund.

Locally in Pakuranga, I have supported community efforts to retain a local Police presence with the new Howick Police Station, pushed back against proposals by Auckland Transport to install speed bumps on our major arterial roads, and advocated for completion of the Eastern Busway and Reeves Road Flyover. I will not forget who put me in Parliament; representing the people of Pakuranga will always be a priority for me, and I will continue to work hard on their behalf on the issues they care about.

Prior to entering politics, I completed Law and Commerce Degrees at the University of Auckland and worked in Commercial Finance at the Bank of New Zealand, as well as serving as an elected Local Board member at Auckland Council.