Andy Foster (politician)

Councillor
Andy Foster
Wellington City Councillor for Onslow-Western Ward
Assumed office
2004
Wellington City Councillor for Western Ward
In office
1992–2004
Personal details
Born 1961 (age 56–57)
England
Political party New Zealand First
Other political
affiliations		 National (past)
Spouse(s) Ann
Children 2
Alma mater Victoria University of Wellington
Website andyfoster.org.nz

Andy Foster (born 1961) is a New Zealand politician and environmentalist.

Biography

Early life

Foster was born in England and moved to New Zealand aged 5, settling in Ngaio.[1] He later studied at Victoria University of Wellington gaining a Bachelor of Arts in history and a Bachelor of Commerce in business management.[1]

Political career

In the late 1980s Foster became politically active and joined the National Party and worked as a parliamentary researcher for National for three years.[1] When party colleagues were looking for people to stand in local government, Foster accepted nomination and stood for election in the 1992 local elections for the Wellington City Council on a Citizens' ticket. He was successful winning a seat from the Western Ward.[2] He held a seat in the Western Ward until 2004 when local electoral boundaries were re-drawn and he stood for the newly created Onslow-Western Ward and has held a seat from there ever since.[3] Foster has also stood for Mayor twice, first in 2001, coming fourth and again in 2016 placing fifth.[4][5]

Foster is also the president of TRAFINZ, a group representing local authority views in New Zealand regarding road safety and traffic management.[6] He has also been involved with the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary Trust, Karori Sports Club, Karori Brooklyn Community Trust and held directorships with Capital Power, Wellington International Airport and Capacity Infrastructure.[7]

Foster no longer belongs to the National Party and is a self described "Bluegreen", a right-wing environmentalist.[1] In the lead up to the 2017 general election Foster has stated he is contemplating standing for Parliament as a candidate for New Zealand First.[8] On 15 August 2017 Foster was confirmed as the New Zealand First candidate for the Wellington Central electorate.[7] He was placed 18 on New Zealand First's party list.[9]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 MacDonald, Nikki (22 August 2016). "Wellington mayoral candidate profile: Andy Foster". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  2. ↑ Bly, Ross (1992). City of Wellington: Local Body Elections, 1992 (Report). Wellington City Council.
  3. ↑ Forbes, Michael (20 July 2016). "Wellington mayoral contest heats up as councillor Andy Foster joins the race". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  4. ↑ "Election Results - 2001". Wellington City Council. Retrieved 17 May 2010.
  5. ↑ "Election 2016: Preliminary results for the Mayor". Wellington City Council. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
  6. ↑ "About us". TRAFINZ. Retrieved 19 August 2017.
  7. 1 2 "New Zealand First announces Wellington region candidates". Scoop.co.nz. 15 August 2017. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  8. ↑ Devlin, Colette (27 June 2017). "Wellington city councillor Andy Foster chasing seat in Parliament with NZ First". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  9. ↑ "The NZ First Party list for the 2017 General Election". Scoop.co.nz. 29 August 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
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