Darroch Ball

Darroch Leicester Ball (born 1982) is a New Zealand politician who was elected to the New Zealand parliament at the 2014 general election as a representative of New Zealand First. He became the party's interim president in December 2020.[1]

Darroch Ball
9th President of New Zealand First
Assumed office
20 December 2020
LeaderWinston Peters
Preceded byKristin Campbell-Smith
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for List
In office
20 September 2014 – 17 October 2020
Personal details
Born1982 (age 38–39)
Auckland, New Zealand
Political partyNew Zealand First
Children2
Alma materUniversity of Auckland

Early life

Ball was born and raised in Auckland. He attended Liston College (1996–1999) in Henderson, before graduating with a bachelor's degree majoring in biological science from the University of Auckland.[2] He was an army officer and then became a science teacher at Waiopehu College.[2][3] He is on the board of trustees of Linton Camp School.[4]

Political career
New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate List Party
2014–2017 51st List 10 NZ First
2017–2020 52nd List 5 NZ First

Ball was the NZ First electorate committee vice-chairman in Palmerston North.[5] In October 2013, he was elected the party's vice-president for the North Island.[6] He stood in the Palmerston North electorate in the 2014 election and was elected from the New Zealand First list, where he was ranked 10th.[3]

His party spokesperson portfolios have included "Research, Science and Technology," "Social Policy/Welfare," Civil Defence and Emergency Issues, Consumer Affairs, and Youth Affairs.[7]

Ball also hosts a weekly radio programme about New Zealand politics on Access Manawatu, his local community radio station.[8]

During the 2017 general election, Ball contested Palmerston North again, coming third place.[9] He was re-elected into Parliament on the New Zealand First party list.[10]

During the 2020 general election held on 17 October, Ball unsuccessfully contested Palmerston North, coming fifth place.[11] He and his fellow NZ First MPs lost their seats after the party's vote dropped to 2.6%, below the five percent threshold needed to enter Parliament.[12][13] Two months after the election, NZ First president Kristin Campbell-Smith resigned, and Ball became the party's interim president, saying he expected to hold the role until the party's 2021 annual general meeting.[1]

Ball put himself forward as a candidate in a by-election for a seat on the Palmerston North City Council due to occur in February 2021.[14]

References
  1. "President and secretary general resign from NZ First". Stuff. 20 December 2020. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
  2. Matthew Grocott (22 September 2014). "MP Ball needs introducing". Manawatu Standard. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  3. Bennett, Adam (21 September 2014). "Election results 2014: Winston Peters blames Labour and Greens for rout". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
  4. "The Board of Trustees". Linton Camp School. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  5. "Uni more than 'beer and skittles'". Manawatu Standard. 21 September 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
  6. "New Zealand First selects new President" (Press release). New Zealand First. Voxy.co.nz. 20 October 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
  7. "Darroch Ball". New Zealand Parliament. Archived from the original on 7 July 2020. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  8. "Issues and current affiars". Association of Community Access Broadcasters. Archived from the original on 16 April 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
  9. "Palmerston North – Official Result". Electoral Commission. Archived from the original on 17 January 2020. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  10. "2017 General Election – Official Result". Electoral Commission. Archived from the original on 17 January 2020. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  11. "Palmerston North – Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  12. "2020 General Election and Referendums – Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  13. Owen, Catrin (18 October 2020). "Election 2020: Who are the MPs ejected from Parliament?". Stuff. Archived from the original on 19 October 2020. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  14. Rankin, Janine (23 December 2020). "Former MP stands in a field of 11 for Palmerston North council seat". Manawatu Standard. Stuff. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
Party political offices
Preceded by
Kristin Campbell Smith		 President of New Zealand First
2020–present		 Incumbent
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