Progressive Party

Progressive Party List
1. Jim Anderton, MP, (Wigram)
2. Matt Robson, barrister, (Maungakiekie)
3. Josie Pagani, communications consultant (Otaki)
4. Paula Gillon, masters student (list only)
5. Phil Clearwater, social worker (Port Hills)
6. Viv Shepherd, health worker (Whangarei)
7. Trevor Barnard, senior lecturer (Manukau East)
8. Brenda Hill, businesswoman (Northcote)
9. Craig Hutchinson, chemical engineer (Ilam)
10. Justin Robson, tertiary student/musician (Auckland Central)
11. Jeffrey Ly, pharmacist (Pakuranga)
12. Suki Amirapu, marine engineer (Mt Roskill)
13. Prof Somnath Bagchi, academic senior consultant (Christchurch Central)
14. Sukhdev Bains, taxi owner-operator (Manurewa)
15. Racheal Cheam, businesswoman (Botany)
16. Mohammad Kazemi-Yazdi, businessman (New Lynn)
17. Debbie Lucas, tertiary student (Palmerston North)
18. Claire Main, tertiary student (Waitaki)
19. Phillipa Main, farmer (Selwyn)
20. John Maurice, train controller (Rimutuka)
21. Jacqui McAlpine, technician (Dunedin South)
22. Dawn Patchett, barrister (Tukituki)
23. Tala Po’e, financial controller (Mangere)
24. Pavitra Roy, electronic engineer (Te Atatu)
25. Elspeth Sandys, author (Christchurch East)
26. David Somerset, scriptwriter (Wellington Central)
27. Ralph Taylor, chartered accountant (Tamaki)

Jim Anderton is the Leader of the Progressive Party, Member of Parliament for Wigram and the Opposition spokesperson on Agriculture.

He was Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1999 to 2002, Minister of Economic Development, Industry & Regional Development from 1999 to 2005 and Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Minister for Biosecurity and Minister of Fisheries until 2008. He was also Associate Minister of Health and Associate Minister of Tertiary Education.

Jim Anderton was elected to Parliament in 1984.

Matt Robson is President of the Progressive Party and Deputy Leader.

He was an MP from 1996 – 2005. From 1999 to 2002 he was a minister in six portfolios, including overseas aid and development, and corrections. He established New Zealand's semi-autonomous aid agency NZAID. In the 2002 – 2005 parliamentary term he introduced the private members bill for 4 weeks annual leave for all employees, which became law.

Currently as well as carrying out his duties as deputy leader of the Progressives, Matt practises as a barrister and is a company director.

Josie Pagani is equally comfortable mingling with international diplomats or mustering her sheep.  She returned last year after nearly three years in Paris where she worked for the OECD advising governments on communications and aid effectiveness.  She is a former communications manager at NZAID, New Zealand's first aid agency.  Before that Josie worked as a press secretary in ministers' offices, including the office of Jim Anderton, Matt Robson and the Prime Minister Helen Clark.  

Josie is the mother of two children and lives with her husband on the Kapiti Coast where she rides horses, plays the piano and speaks French (and some German and Maori).  Today she works as a communications consultant.

After living in London working for a number of organisations and business associations, Paula returned to New Zealand, and was re-elected to the Birkenhead-Northcote Community Board in a by-election. She is now the Deputy-Chair of the Community Services Committee and the Hearings Commissioner for planning applications.  

A former City Councillor, Paula is currently completing a Masters in Public Policy. She graduated graduating with a BA double major in English and Politics from the University of Auckland in 2004.  She has been awarded a scholarship from the Auckland City Council to access active recreation within Auckland City and its development up to 2020.

Phil is a professional leader of social work for the Canterbury District Health Board.  He is Chair of the Spreydon-Heathcote Community Board in Christchurch, and has been involved in politics on the left for many years.  He has previously worked as a teacher, probation officer and in family mental health.  Phil has two adult daughters and a lovely one year old grandson. 

With a background in Physical Education, Sports Studies and Fitness Management, Viv has recently been involved in research studies for The Ministry of Social Development, Broadcasting Standards Authority, Health Sponsorship Council, ASH and Sparc.  She is also the Sunsmart Coordinator for The Northland District Health Board.  Viv is involved in a number of community organisations which support education and the improvement of New Zealand society, including the Whangarei Branch of The National Council of Women, and she is a national executive member for The Federation of Graduate Women.

A programme leader at the Manukau Institute of Technology, Trevor is committed to assisting people who have experienced some degree of educational disadvantage.  As such, he has a broad degree of experience over many years teaching in multicultural secondary schools as well as at Manukau Institute of Technology. 

As a former Auckland City Councillor and Out-of-Parliament secretary, Trevor has a good knowledge of community and governmental organisation, operation and structure. Trevor is completing a Masters in Chemistry Education and is also the academic representative on the Manukau Institute of Technology Council.

Brenda Hill has a Diploma of Horticulture from Lincoln University and with her husband, she is a partner with three others in a busy South Auckland business focussed on providing health and safety equipment in the workplace.  She is a member of the Greater Eastern Tamaki Business Association and a member of WasteMinzs Management which works with companies to minimalise industrial waste.  Brenda is also on the board of Rosedale Sports Trust which oversees North Harbour Softball and Albany Soccer.  Brenda and her husband John have a young family and she enjoys the beach, sports, gardening, reading and cooking.

Craig Hutchinson worked in New Zealand and overseas after graduating from Canterbury University with a chemical engineering degree.  His interest in politics was rekindled when he returned home, and he signed up to work on Jim Anderton’s 1999 election campaign.  Craig enjoys the South Island mountains, tramping, snowboarding, a good book and getting the most out of his organic vegetable garden.  He is married to Henny and together they live in Fendalton with Iris and Toby.

Justin Robson is studying for a Bachelor of Arts Honours at Auckland University.  He is also the lead singer in the band Leader to Ruin and has been an Auckland rep for IN-Line hockey.  As a university student, Justin wants to see the burden of debt lifted so that education once again becomes available to all, a free public education for all.