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Mark Mitchell (New Zealand politician)

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The Honourable
Mark Mitchell
MP
Mitchell in 2023
43rd Minister of Police
Incumbent
Assumed office
27 November 2023
Prime MinisterChristopher Luxon
Preceded byGinny Andersen
15th Minister of Corrections
Incumbent
Assumed office
27 November 2023
Prime MinisterChristopher Luxon
Preceded byKelvin Davis
29th Minister for Emergency Management
Incumbent
Assumed office
27 November 2023
Prime MinisterChristopher Luxon
Preceded byKieran McAnulty
10th Minister for Ethnic Communities
Incumbent
Assumed office
24 January 2025
Prime MinisterChristopher Luxon
Preceded byMelissa Lee
13th Minister for Sport and Recreation
Incumbent
Assumed office
24 January 2025
Prime MinisterChristopher Luxon
Preceded byChris Bishop
39th Minister of Defence
In office
2 May 2017 – 26 October 2017
Prime MinisterBill English
Preceded byGerry Brownlee
Succeeded byRon Mark
15th Minister for Land Information
In office
20 December 2016 – 26 October 2017
Prime MinisterBill English
Preceded byLouise Upston
Succeeded byEugenie Sage
28th Minister of Statistics
In office
20 December 2016 – 2 May 2017
Prime MinisterBill English
Preceded byCraig Foss
Succeeded byScott Simpson
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Whangaparāoa (2020–present),
Rodney (2011–2020)
Incumbent
Assumed office
26 November 2011
Preceded byLockwood Smith
Majority7,823
Personal details
Born (1968-05-22) 22 May 1968 (age 57)
Auckland
Political partyNational Party
RelationsFrank Gill (grandfather)
Websitemarkmitchell.co.nz

Mark Patrick Mitchell (born 22 May 1968)[1] is a New Zealand politician, former police officer and security contractor, and a member of the New Zealand House of Representatives since 2011. He is a member of the centre-right National Party.

Early life and career

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Mitchell was born on Auckland's North Shore and lived his early years at Whenuapai air base, where his father was a flight lieutenant flying Orion aircraft and his mother's father, Air Commodore Frank Gill, was the base commander.[2] Gill was later a National Party cabinet minister, between 1975 and 1980.[3] Mitchell attended Rosmini College, a Catholic school. He dropped out at age 15 and started work as a farm hand.[2]

He joined the New Zealand Police at age 21 and served for thirteen years, working as a dog handler and in the Armed Offenders Squad.[2] After leaving the police, Mitchell undertook an executive education short course at Wharton Business School.[4]

Mitchell went to Iraq in 2003 to work for British kidnap and ransom risk-management company Control Risks, providing security to officials of the Coalition Provisional Authority government.[3] He and his men were besieged in the Italian-run An Nasiriyah compound in southern Iraq by the Mahdi militia for five days in 2004.[3][5] He spent a period training Iraqi security forces in 2004, before leaving Iraq.[3] He has refused to confirm whether he killed anyone in conflict, instead saying there were "casualties on both sides".[6]

He then spent six years based in Kuwait. He went to work for Kuwait firm Agility Logistics, which was supplying food to military forces in Iraq. The company set up subsidiary Threat Management Group, with Mitchell as CEO and shareholder, to improve security for its logistics staff.[3][7] The company took on contracts protecting infrastructure and Mitchell dealt with kidnap and ransom negotiations in Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia and Darfur.[3] He sold Threat Management Group in 2010, when it had an annual turnover of $130 million, and the sale made him wealthy.[3][7]

Member of Parliament

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New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate List Party
2011–2014 50th Rodney 59 National
2014–2017 51st Rodney 42 National
2017–2020 52nd Rodney 21 National
2020–2023 53rd Whangaparāoa 15 National
2023–present 54th Whangaparāoa 11 National

In Government, 2011–2017

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When National MP for Rodney and Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives Lockwood Smith decided to contest the 2011 New Zealand general election as a list only candidate, Mitchell was a candidate to replace him in Rodney and officially won the National Party pre-selection contest for the seat on 26 April 2011.[8] Mitchell won the seat with over 53% of the vote, defeating his nearest rival, Conservative Party founder and leader Colin Craig by over 12,000 votes.[9]

Mitchell voted against the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill, a bill allowing same-sex couples to marry in New Zealand.[10]

In 2014, Nicky Hager's book Dirty Politics presented evidence that suggested that Mitchell had hired political strategist Simon Lusk during the National Party selection process for the Rodney electorate. Lusk appeared to have collaborated with blogger Cameron Slater to discredit Mitchell's opponents, particularly Brent Robinson. Mitchell strongly denies ever paying Lusk or Slater, but admitted Lusk had given him guidance on speeches and brochures.[11]

He served as Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee from the 2014 general election. When John Key resigned as Prime Minister and Bill English replaced him in 2016, Mitchell was appointed as Minister for Land Information and Minister of Statistics outside of cabinet by the new Prime Minister.[12] When English reshuffled his cabinet in 2017, Mitchell was considered one of the "big winners" in the reshuffle, being promoted into cabinet and being made Minister of Defence, replacing Gerry Brownlee who was moved into the role of Minister of Foreign Affairs. In the reshuffle Mitchell kept the Land Information portfolio while being replaced in the Statistics portfolio by Scott Simpson.[13]

In opposition, 2017–2023

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During the 2017 general election, Mark Mitchell was re-elected in the Rodney electorate, defeating Labour candidate Marja Lubeck by a margin of 19,561 votes.[14] Following the formation of a Labour-led coalition government, Mitchell was appointed as National's Spokesperson for the defence, disarmament, and justice portfolios.[15] On 22 January 2019, he was designated as National's Spokesperson for Pike River Re-entry.[16][17]

On 10 June 2019, Mitchell voiced concerns about the Labour-led coalition government's plan to withdraw New Zealand's non-combat training mission from Iraq by June 2020, stating it was too soon.[18] The following day, Mitchell supported the Government's NZ$20 billion Defence Capability Plan to boost the New Zealand Defence Force's equipment and manpower but disagreed with the Government's decision to bypass the tender process for new Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft.[19]

Following the resignation of short-lived National party leader Todd Muller on 14 July 2020, Mitchell ran unsuccessfully against fellow MP Judith Collins for the position of Leader of the National Party. During the 2020 general election, Mitchell won the seat of Whangaparāoa (which had replaced his previous electorate of Rodney) by a final margin of 7,823 votes.[20] Following the election, Mitchell ruled out challenging party leader Collins in the wake of National's landslide defeat.[21]

In Government, 2023–present

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During the 2023 New Zealand general election, Mitchell was re-elected in Whangaparāoa by a margin of 23,376, defeating Labour's candidate Estefania Muller Pallarès.[22] Following the formation of the National-led coalition government in late November 2023, Mitchell was appointed as Minister of Corrections, Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery, and Minister of Police.[23] As a senior cabinet minister, Mitchell represented New Zealand at the Summit on Peace in Ukraine at Bürgenstock Resort in Switzerland on 15–16 June 2024.[24] Following a cabinet reshuffle on 19 January 2025, Mitchell acquired the ethnic communities ministerial portfolio.[25]

Views on law and order

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Mark Mitchell believes that the majority of those sentenced to prison have committed violent or sexual offending and advocates for an even tougher approach to crime. He is considering scrapping short prison sentences in favour of longer ones as prisoners on long sentences—according to his beliefs—are able to attend rehabilitation and therefore re-offend less frequently on release.[26] He has repeatedly emphasised that his government is "putting victims first, ahead of offenders." He would rather see a massive increase in the prison population than put less serious offenders into halfway homes where they could be rehabilitated.[27] Criminologists have pointed out that his beliefs about the justice system are not backed up by research.[28]

Minister of Police

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On 8 December 2023 Mitchell as Police Minister met with Police Commissioner Andrew Coster to set out the Government's expectations for Police and combating gangs. Coster agreed to the Minister's expectations,[29] but resigned a few months later.

500 new police officers

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In the 2024 the Government announced funding to recruit and train an extra 500 police officers by the end of 2025 "to improve public safety".[30] A new training facility was established in Auckland. However by April 2025, it became clear this goal would not be met and the target date was pushed out to June 2026.[31]

Gang insignia

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On 25 February 2024, Mitchell and Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith announced that the Government would introduce legislation to ban gang insignia in public places, enable Police to disperse gang gatherings, allow Courts to ban gang members from communicating for at least three years, and giving greater weight to gang membership during sentencing. Mitchell also confirmed the ban on gang insignia would apply to funerals and tangi. During the press conference, Mitchell said "For too long gangs have been allowed to behave as if they are above the law. There is no tolerance for this behaviour and these new laws will support Police to take action against it".[32] The Gangs Act 2024 passed into law on 19 September 2024.[33]

On 7 June, Mitchell confirmed that the Government would halt funding for the Mongrel Mob's controversial drug rehabilitation programme Kahukura, which had been supported by the previous Labour Government.[34]

Boot camps

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Despite national and international evidence that boot camps do not reduce offending, and may exacerbate previous childhood trauma,[35] in 2024 The National led coalition set up boot camps for young offenders again. Mitchell said that these military academies would be modelled after the New Zealand Defence Force's six-week Limited Service Volunteer programme. Youth offenders would take courses in numeracy, team-building, literacy and physical activities. He said that the Academies would last for one year and would be based at several military bases including Trentham Military Camp in Upper Hutt, Whenuapai's RNZAF Base Auckland, and Burnham Military Camp near Christchurch.[36]

Minister of Corrections

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On 6 May 2024, Mitchell and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced that the Government would allocate NZ$1.9 billion from the upcoming 2024 New Zealand budget to training 470 new corrections officers and adding 810 beds to Waikeria Prison.[37]

Corrections Amendment Act 2024

In June 2024, Mitchell was responsible of ushering through the Corrections Amendment Act 2024. The Act broadened the definition of 'rehabilition programme' to include medical, social, therapeutic, psychological, te ao Māori, cultural, educational, employment-related, and religion-based programmes and allows prisoners on remand to access offence-based rehabilitation programmes for the first time.[38] Treaty of Waitangi provisions which were contained in the original version of Bill proposed by the previous Labour government were removed.[39]

Proposal to abolish short prison sentences

In May 2025, Mitchell suggested that short prison sentences (two years or less) should be replaced by longer sentences because only prisoners on longer sentences (more than two years) reoffended at a lower rate. He suggested this was because only those on long sentences are able to attend rehabilitation programmes in prison. Labour and the Greens pointed out that this would lead to a massive increase in prison numbers, requiring more and more prisons which are prohibitively expensive to build. Criminology lecturer, Dr Ronald Kramer pointed out that prison based rehabilition is ineffective and that those on long sentences reoffend less because they "age out" of criminal behaviour.[40]

Minister of Emergency Management

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On 4 October 2024, Mitchell visited Dunedin in response to the 2024 Otago floods to support the emergency relief efforts of local authorities and volunteers. He also reiterated the central government's willingness to assist flood-affected communities in Dunedin.[41] On 7 October, Mitchell confirmed during a press conference with local and central government leaders that the central government was working on a national buyout blueprint for homeowners whose properties were affected by extreme weather events.[42]

On 1 May 2025, Mitchell as Emergency Management Minister declared a state of emergency in Christchurch in response to heavy rain and widespread flooding in the city and surrounding Selwyn District.[43]

Personal life

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Mitchell had a brother who suffered from mental health problems and committed suicide.[44] In 2011, he married Peggy Bourne, the widow of rally driver Possum Bourne.[8][45] She was his third wife.[46] However, the marriage didn't last and as of 2021, Mitchell has been in a new relationship. He has two biological children and is step-father to Peggy Bourne's three children to Possum Bourne.[47][48]

References

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  1. ^ The Dominion Post (17 March 2012). "Mitchell Primed for Next Battle". Press Reader. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  2. ^ a b c Mitchell, Mark (16 February 2012). "Mitchell, Mark: Address in Reply". Hansard. New Zealand Parliament. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Alexander, Miriyana (27 March 2011). "In the line of duty". Sunday Star Times. Retrieved 27 November 2021 – via Stuff.
  4. ^ "Local Matters – Mark Mitchell – National". www.localmatters.co.nz. 4 September 2017. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  5. ^ Hager, Nicky (2014). "5. Simon Lusk's Plan". Dirty Politics. Craig Potton. footnote 43. ISBN 9781927213360.
  6. ^ "National leadership hopeful Mark Mitchell on gay marriage and war". Newshub. 20 February 2018. Archived from the original on 20 February 2018. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  7. ^ a b Couch, Daniel (21 February 2018). "Why aspiring National leader Mark Mitchell's war-for-profit past matters". The Spinoff. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  8. ^ a b National selects Mark Mitchell for Rodney stuff.co.nz, 26 April 2011
  9. ^ "Election Results – Rodney". Archived from the original on 3 December 2011.
  10. ^ "Gay marriage: How MPs voted". The New Zealand Herald. 18 April 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  11. ^ Chang, Derek (26 August 2014). "Disclosures disgust defeated candidate". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  12. ^ "Bill English reveals his reshuffled Cabinet in Wellington".
  13. ^ "Prime Minister Bill English reveals new-look Cabinet".
  14. ^ "Rodney – Official Result 2017". Electoral Commission. Archived from the original on 16 January 2020. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  15. ^ "Mark Mitchell". New Zealand Parliament. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  16. ^ "Bennett named drug reform spokesperson in shadow cabinet reshuffle". Radio New Zealand. 22 January 2019. Archived from the original on 21 April 2020. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  17. ^ Coughlan, Thomas (22 January 2019). "Bridges begins year with a reshuffle". Newsroom. Archived from the original on 3 February 2019. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  18. ^ "National wary but supportive of NZ troops withdrawal from Iraq". Radio New Zealand. 11 June 2019. Archived from the original on 11 June 2019. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  19. ^ Walls, Jason (11 June 2019). "The Defence Force $20b spending plan includes a commitment to 'space-based activities'". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 12 June 2019. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  20. ^ "Whangaparāoa – Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
  21. ^ "Mark Mitchell rules out challenging Judith Collins for National's leadership". 1News. 18 October 2020. Archived from the original on 23 October 2020.
  22. ^ "Whangaparāoa – Official Result". Electoral Commission. 3 November 2023. Archived from the original on 23 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  23. ^ "Cabinet lineup for new government unveiled – who gets what?". Radio New Zealand. 24 November 2023. Archived from the original on 4 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  24. ^ "Minister to attend Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland". Inside Government. JSL Media. 11 June 2024. Archived from the original on 11 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  25. ^ "As it happened: Luxon announces Cabinet reshuffle, Shane Reti loses health portfolio to Simeon Brown". RNZ. 19 January 2025. Archived from the original on 19 January 2025. Retrieved 21 January 2025.
  26. ^ Mark Mitchell wants short prison sentences scrapped in hope of reducing re-offending, RNZ, 5 May 2025
  27. ^ Short jail sentences don't work: Why Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell wants them longer, even if it means ‘huge’ prisoner numbers, NZ Herald, 5 May 2025
  28. ^ What prison statistics get wrong on violent crime rates, why we indulge in ‘penal populism’, NZ Herald, 12 May 2025
  29. ^ "Minister sets expectations of Commissioner". Beehive.govt.nz. New Zealand Government. 6 December 2023. Archived from the original on 16 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  30. ^ 500 more Police to improve public safety, Beehive Media release 30 May 2024
  31. ^ Briefing warns Government won't hit target of 500 extra police officers by promised deadline, NZ Herald, 2 April 2025
  32. ^ Orsman, Bernard (25 February 2024). "Gang crackdown: Government to introduce legislation to ban gang insignia in public places and gathering in groups". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 25 February 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  33. ^ Das, Felix (19 September 2024). "Gang patch legislation passed into law". 1News. Archived from the original on 19 September 2024. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  34. ^ Gabel, Julia (7 June 2024). "Kahukura: Funding stops for Mongrel Mob-led drug rehabilitation programme". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 13 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  35. ^ Boot camps for young offenders are back—the evidence they don't work never went away, VUW 11 June 2024
  36. ^ Weekes, John (21 August 2023). "Retail crime: Supermarket giant changing store design, getting staff new radios after assault 'tsunami'". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 21 August 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  37. ^ Pearse, Adam (6 May 2024). "PM Christopher Luxon announces $1.9 billion Corrections investment". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 7 May 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  38. ^ Progressing the Corrections Amendment Bill
  39. ^ Hurihanganui, Te Aniwa (6 June 2024). "Treaty provisions set to be scrapped from Corrections Amendment Bill". 1News. Archived from the original on 6 June 2024. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
  40. ^ Mark Mitchell wants short prison sentences scrapped in hope of reducing reoffending, RNZ 5 May 2025
  41. ^ "Recap: Red heavy rain warning for Otago downgraded to watch – MetService". 1News. 4 October 2024. Archived from the original on 9 October 2024. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  42. ^ "Buyout blueprint on the way – Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell". RNZ. 7 October 2024. Archived from the original on 7 October 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  43. ^ The New Zealand Herald (1 May 2025). "Watch: Mark Mitchell announces Christchurch under state of emergency after flooding". Newstalk ZB. Archived from the original on 2 May 2025. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
  44. ^ "Mark Mitchell: Newshub Nation Backstory". Newshub Nation. 3 July 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
  45. ^ "Peggy Bourne weds National Party politician". Herald on Sunday. 13 November 2011. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  46. ^ Meeting Mark Mitchell, National MP and now contender for leader, NZ Herald, 29 April 2017
  47. ^ Hogan, Finn (3 July 2021). "Backstory: National MP Mark Mitchell shares heartbreaking story of losing younger brother to suicide". Newshub. Archived from the original on 1 August 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  48. ^ "Mark Mitchell: Newshub Nation Backstory". Newshub Nation. 3 July 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
[edit]
New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Rodney
2011–2020 		Constituency abolished
New constituency Member of Parliament for Whangaparāoa
2020–present 		Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by Minister for Land Information
2016–2017 		Succeeded by
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