Trevor Mallard is a New Zealand politician who presently holds the position of Ambassador of New Zealand to Ireland since 2023. His parliamentary career spans from 1984 to 1990 and then from 1993 to 2022. Notably, he served as the Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives from 2017 until 2022.
Bio/Wiki
Age- 69 years
Height-5 feet 7 inches
Weight-78kg
Born- 17 June 1954
Birthplace-Wellington, New Zealand
Spouse-Jane Clifton (m. 2014)
Profession-Politician, Ambassador of New Zealand to Ireland
Nationality- New Zealand
Party-New Zealand Labour Party
Previous offices-Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives (2017–2022), MORE
Office-Ambassador of New Zealand to Ireland since 2023
Family
Trevor Colin Mallard was born in Wellington; Details about Trevor Mallard’s parents are not publicly known.
Wife
Trevor Mallard was initially married to Stephanie. However, in June 2007, after 33 years of marriage, Mallard announced his separation from Stephanie. Later, on 29 December 2014, Mallard married journalist Jane Clifton.
Children
Trevor has three children from a previous marriage and is also a proud grandfather, with a total of seven grandchildren.
Education
Trevor Colin Mallard received his education at Onslow College. In 1974, he obtained a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration degree from Victoria University of Wellington. Following this, he underwent teacher training at the Wellington College of Education, earning a Diploma in Teaching in 1976. He went on to pursue a career in teaching, holding various positions in Wellington and the King Country. he gained a Diploma in Continuing Education from the University of Waikato.
Career
Mallard became a member of the Labour Party in 1972, while still at university. In 1977, he was arrested in Parliament during an anti-SIS bill protest, leading to appearances in court and the supreme court. Mallard was also arrested during the 1981 Springbok protests. In 1983, he competed for the Labour nomination in the new Tongariro electorate but was unsuccessful, losing to Noel Scott.
Returning to the Wellington area, Mallard worked at Parliament as an executive assistant to Mike Moore in the Leader of the Opposition’s office. He served as a Cabinet minister in the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand from 1999 to 2008. During this time, Mallard held key portfolios, including Minister of Education and Minister of State Services, and took on additional roles such as Minister for the Environment, Minister of Labour, Minister of Broadcasting, Minister for State Owned Enterprises, Minister for Sport and Recreation, and Associate Minister of Finance. He represented various electorates, including Hamilton West, Pencarrow, and Hutt South, and also served as a list member of Parliament between 2017 and 2022.
Mallard’s notable transition to the role of Speaker in 2017 and 2020 marked the conclusion of his parliamentary career. This move was compared to “the poacher turned gamekeeper.” Known for his history as a political battler, Mallard’s speakership brought about positive changes in parliamentary culture, emphasizing a more family-friendly environment and abolishing the requirement for male MPs to wear ties. However, some of his statements and actions, particularly in relation to the 2022 Wellington protests, received criticism.
In mid-October 2022, Newshub reported that Trevor Mallard’s new role as New Zealand Ambassador to Ireland offered a salary ranging from NZ$180,000 to NZ$250,000, including accommodation and two trips home over the three-year tenure. ACT Party leader David Seymour criticized Mallard’s diplomatic appointment, characterizing it as a reward for “bad behavior.”
In February 2023, Mallard assumed the position of New Zealand ambassador to Ireland.
In the 2024 New Year Honours, Mallard was honored as a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his contributions as a Member of Parliament and Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Trevor Mallard’s Allegation
In late January 2020, Trevor Mallard faced a lawsuit from a parliamentary staff member who accused the Speaker of defaming him by asserting in May 2019 that a rapist was employed at Parliament. The staff member sought damages totaling NZ$400,000 along with court costs. Mallard, in response, engaged legal representation. On December 8, 2020, Mallard issued an apology to the staff member, and both parties considered the matter closed.
The incident incurred public funds amounting to NZ$333,000, including an ex-gratia payment and legal fees. This led to a loss of confidence in Mallard as Speaker by the National Party, and calls were made for him to reimburse taxpayers. In December 2020, Mallard apologized before the Governance and Administration Select Committee for his previous remarks. The staff member pursued an employment case against the Parliamentary Service, incurring NZ$37,500 in legal fees. In February 2021, the National Party’s attempt to pass a motion of no confidence in Speaker Mallard was unsuccessful.
In May 2021, Mallard stirred controversy by using parliamentary privilege to claim that the staff member he had falsely accused of rape had committed sexual assault. Prime Minister Ardern criticized Mallard’s actions as “totally inappropriate” but rejected calls for his dismissal as Speaker by the National and ACT parties.
Trevor Mallard’s Resignation
On June 13, 2022, Prime Minister Ardern announced that Trevor Mallard would resign as Speaker of the House in mid-August 2022 to assume a diplomatic post in Europe. Labour MP Adrian Rurawhe was designated as his successor. Mallard’s resignation, alongside Immigration and Broadcasting Minister Kris Faafoi, prompted a cabinet reshuffle within the Labour Government. Mallard’s decision to issue trespass notices against five former MPs had recently drawn criticism from opposition parties.
On August 24, 2022, Mallard officially stepped down as Speaker of the House. The day prior, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced his appointment as New Zealand’s second resident ambassador to Ireland, effective from January 2023. Adrian Rurawhe, also from the Labour Party, succeeded Mallard as the new Speaker of the House. During the transition, former Labour MP Gaurav Sharma, utilizing parliamentary privilege, accused Mallard of neglecting his concerns about bullying in Parliament and refusing legal support for his case. Sharma further alleged that Mallard had informed the Labour Whips office about Sharma’s complaint against the party and whips. Mallard denied these allegations.
Trevor Mallard delivered his valedictory speech to Parliament on October 20, 2022, and his resignation as a list MP became effective at the end of that day.
Trevor Mallard’s Net Worth
Trevor Mallard’s estimated net worth is approximately $5 million.
