Mark Patterson (New Zealand politician)


Mark William James Patterson is a New Zealand politician and Member of Parliament in the House of Representatives for the New Zealand First party.

Career before politics

Patterson had a career as a sheep farmer in Lawrence, Otago, and was involved with the Meat Industry Excellence Group.

Political career

Patterson was previously involved with the National Party and unsuccessfully contested the nomination for the electorate in 2014 upon Bill English's decision to become a List MP, but lost to Todd Barclay.
Patterson was announced as the New Zealand First candidate for the newly formed Taieri electorate for the 2020 general election.

Member of parliament

In Patterson stood for New Zealand First in the electorate and was placed 7 on the New Zealand First's party list. He duly entered parliament via the party list.
As a member of Parliament, Patterson serves as a member on both the Education and Workforce, and, Primary Production Select Committees. Patterson is the New Zealand First Party spokesperson for Agriculture and Primary Industry, Bio-Security, Christchurch Earthquake Recovery, Crown Minerals, Customs, Food Safety, Intellectual Property, and Land Information.
Patterson has sponsored a total of three bills in his first parliamentary term, the New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Income Amendment Bill, the Gore District Council Bill, and the Farm Debt Mediation Bill.