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Tracey Martin would like to see more women involved in politics, particularly at a Parliamentary level.
New Zealand First MP Tracey Martin, from Rodney, has been a Member of Parliament since the 2011 general election and is passionate about increasing female representation.Her political career had its genesis in 2004 when she was elected to the Warkworth Primary School Board of Trustees, after campaigning against the introduction of a school uniform.
“That experience showed me I could run a successful campaign and win an election,” she says.
For 15 years prior to this, Mrs Martin was a stay-at-home mum and before that worked as a credit controller.
“My mother was a New Zealand First candidate from 1996 to 2005, so she was and has always been my inspiration.”
In 2008, Tracey ran against National’s Lockwood Smith in Rodney, failing to win that election, but claimed a list seat in Parliament in 2011 and again in 2014.
Meanwhile, her board role with Warkworth school lasted to 2011, and she was elected to the Mahurangi College Board of Trustees in 2007 and became chair in 2009, until stepping down from the board last month.
“A reality for women who want to enter politics is that it’s all about timing. Women have sections in their lives because of their ability to give birth.”
Mrs Martin says her husband Ben is a feminist as much as she is and gave her the opportunity to go to Parliament by becoming a stay-at-home dad.
She says many women may not have this same support, so taking opportunities when possible is the key to getting involved.
“The most common barrier women have when wanting to get into politics is a lack of confidence.
“You just have to say ‘yes’ to every opportunity and ask yourself, ‘What’s the worst that can happen?’.”
In terms of pathways, she advises getting involved with a party at a local level and working your way up.
“Try to find a party you agree with 80 per cent of the time, because you’re never going to align perfectly with any one party. Then, once you’re involved you can start to implement some of your own ideas.”
Currently, 34 per cent of Parliament is made up of women, a figure in slow decline.
Mrs Martin says getting a 50/50 balance in the Beehive has been a big conversation recently, with every party looking at the topic in its own way.
She says women help keep women’s issues in the spotlight, such as equal pay and domestic violence, and have been influential in changes to health and gun control laws.
“Women bring another perspective to Parliament because of their life experiences.”
Since Parliament began in 1854 there have been two women Prime Ministers – Jenny Shipley and Helen Clark – and one woman Speaker of the House, Margaret Wilson.
“Parliament is still very traditional and needs more gender balance across its committees as well,” the MP says.
