About Barbara

Now in her fourth term, Barbara brings experience, enthusiasm, drive and direction to her role as MP for Taranaki-King Country and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

With her lengthy career in dairy farming, and agribusiness, Barbara is a former board member of DairyNZ, Primary ITO, Taratahi, Dairy Women’s Network and NZ Young Farmers. She was 2012’s Dairy Woman of the Year and made a Fellow of the NZ Institute of Directors in 2014. Barbara has a Strategic Leadership MBA, is a past scholarship recipient of the Food & Agribusiness Market Experience (FAME) and,  in 2023, gained her Postgraduate Certificate in Public Policy from the Victoria University of Wellington. She is a judge of the Rural Games Trust awards.

Barbara is a strategic thinker, who enjoys a challenge, and is well regarded in the agricultural and agribusiness communities. She believes in continuous personal and professional growth and welcomes opportunities to learn from those around her.

Having lived most of her life in Taranaki, she understands the contribution of NZ’s leading resources region. And, as she travels one of the largest electorates in the country, knows only too well the necessity for well-developed and maintained transport routes; routes rural communities and urban centres need to conduct business efficiently and effectively across the nation. She is a passionate advocate for rural health and community services.

Married to Louis, she is mum to three children — two sons and a daughter — and grandmother to six. Barbara is an avid tramper and whenever possible she and Louis set off and explore New Zealand’s stunning geography, much of which is local.