Fletcher Tabuteau


Fletcher Hoporona Tabuteau is a New Zealand politician who was elected to the New Zealand parliament at the 2014 general election as a representative of New Zealand First. On 27 February 2018, he became the party's deputy leader.

Political career

Born and raised in Rotorua, Tabuteau is of Māori descent through his mother, affiliating to the Ngāti Ngāraranui, Ngāti Rangiwewehi, and Ngāti Whakaue iwi. Tabuteau was an economics lecturer and head of the business school at Waiariki Institute of Technology before being elected at the 2014 election after being ranked fourth on the party list. He stood in the Rotorua electorate.
He has previously stood for New Zealand First in 2002, 2005 and 2011. Tabuteau was re-elected on the New Zealand First list during the 2017 general election. Following the formation of a coalition government consisting of Labour, New Zealand First, and the Greens, Tabuteau was appointed as the Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters and the Minister for Regional Economic Development Shane Jones.
He succeeded Ron Mark as deputy leader of New Zealand First on 27 February 2018.
Since 25 March 2020, Tabuteau has been a member of the Epidemic Response Committee, a select committee that considers the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.