Michael Wood (New Zealand politician)

Wood was born in 1980. While a university student Wood worked as a Christmas tree salesman. After finishing university he initially worked in retail jobs for several years, including at Hugh Wright's, a men's clothing store. He joined the union movement, and worked as an organiser as a senior negotiator for the financial sector union Finance and Information Workers Union. He then joined Habitat for Humanity as an advisor working on several issues such as their health and safety procedures.[1][2]

In 1998, his first year at university, he became critical of the direction of New Zealand under the Fourth National Government, confirmed by that years power crisis in Auckland. Wood reflected that the period was "...a sign that things weren’t working well in our society". He joined Princes Street Labour and later took part in the Hikoi for Hope as well.[2]

Wood stood in Pakuranga during the 2002 and 2005 elections and was on the Labour Party list in 2008. In 2010 he was elected to the Puketāpapa Local Board representing Roskill Community Voice. He was the Labour candidate during the 2011 Botany by-election and in the 2014 election stood in Epsom.[3][4]

After serving as the Mount Roskill Labour electorate chairman, in June 2016 he was selected as the Labour party's electorate candidate for the 2017 election following Phil Goff announcing he would instead contest the 2016 Auckland mayoralty election. Goff endorsed Wood as his successor.[5][6]

Wood was opposed to End of Life Choice and in favour of legalising recreational cannabis.[2]

Wood lives in Roskill South with his wife Julie and their three sons. For several years he was the main caregiver for his children.[2]