Nicola Willis (politician)

Willis was born and raised in Wellington. She graduated with a first-class honours degree in English literature from Victoria University of Wellington in 2003,[4] and later on received a post-graduate diploma in journalism from the University of Canterbury in 2017.[5] She was a member of the Victoria University Debating Society, and competed in international tournaments.

After graduating in 2003, she worked as a research and policy advisor for Bill English. She went on to serve as a senior advisor to John Key in 2008. She has also worked for Fonterra.[1]

Willis contested at the 2017 election as National's candidate for the electorate of Wellington Central,[6] and was number 58 on the party list. Based on preliminary results, she would enter parliament, but in the final results National went down two seats whilst the Labour and Green parties increased by a seat each.[7] Willis was second in line should there be a vacancy in a list seat held by a National Party MP during the 52nd New Zealand Parliament, and following Bill English's and Steven Joyce's resignations in March 2018, Willis along with Maureen Pugh entered parliament.[3]

Willis was appointed National's spokesperson on early childhood education by leader Simon Bridges.[8]

Willis was vocal against Grant Guilford's attempt to change Victoria University of Wellington's name to the University of Wellington.[9]

Willis played a significant role in the leadership coup that saw Simon Bridges removed as Leader and replaced by Todd Muller,[10] acting as Muller's "numbers man" alongside Chris Bishop.[11] She was subsequently promoted to 14th in caucus with the portfolios of Housing and Urban Development, and retaining Early Childhood Education.[12][13]

During the 2020 New Zealand general election, Willis' party vote place improved greatly from 48th to 13th. She contested Wellington Central, losing to the incumbent Grant Robertson, but retained her list seat.[14]