Ian McKelvie


Ian Robert Flockhart McKelvie is a New Zealand politician and a member of the New Zealand House of Representatives. He is a member of the National Party.

Early life

McKelvie was born in Palmerston North and was educated at Wanganui Collegiate School. He then gained a Diploma of Agriculture from Massey University. He was the Mayor of Manawatu from 2002 until 2011. He resigned from the position on being elected to Parliament. He was the longest-serving mayor of the district to date, being in office for 9 years and 20 days.
He is the Board Chair of Special Olympics New Zealand.

Member of Parliament

Fifth National Government, 2011–2017

McKelvie was named as the National Party candidate for the electorate following the announcement by sitting member Simon Power of his retirement from politics. At the 2011 election, McKelvie won the seat with a majority of 9,382 ahead of Labour's Josie Pagani. He served on three select committees: primary production; regulations review; and law and order.
McKelvie was re-elected in the Rangitīkei electorate during the 2014 New Zealand general election with an increased majority. Following the 2014 general election, McKelvie served on the law and order and primary production committees.

Sixth Labour Government, 2017–present

McKelvie was re-elected in the Rangitīkei electorate during the 2017 New Zealand general election. Following the formation of a Labour-led coalition government, McKelvie served as the National Party's spokesperson on seniors and veterans issues between 3 November 2017 and 12 March 2018. He also served on the transport and infrastructure committees between November 2017 and March 2018.
As of March 2018, McKelvie is the National Party's spokesperson for fisheries and racing. He is also a member of the finance and expenditure committee. On 11 December 2019, McKelvie's Dog Control Amendment Bill passed its first reading with the support of all parties except the Green Party. This amendment means that low-level offenses involving dogs including animal cruelty will be heard by a justice of the peace or community magistrate rather than going through the district courts.