Scoop's Meet The MPs Project: Cam Calder

Elected on 16 June this year, National Party backbencher Cam Calder has come a long way since his petanque days.

Growing up in Taranaki, Calder attended New Plymouth Boys High School before studying Dental Surgery at Otago University.

Completing his post-graduate from the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons while working in private practices in New Zealand and Australia, he later went into studying medicine at Magdalene College, Cambridge University where he won the Fisons Prize.

While over in England, he travelled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, East Africa, and North and South America.

In 2001, he moved his family to south west France where they lived in a farm house to experience a different lifestyle and culture.

When he returned to New Zealand, he continued to work in the medical field and was involved with a number of organisations such as the international federation of petanque and served as the president on the French New Zealand Business Council.

Click for big version
photos by Matthew Theunissen.

In 2003, he became a member of the National Party where he was involved in papers in law and order, environment, education, and was policy and electorate chairman in the North Shore.

In the 2008 election, he was number 58 on the National Party list and was selected as the party’s candidate for Manurewa.

He lost his seat when he entered parliament in November 2008 due to special votes, and re-entered after the resignation of Richard Worth in June 2009.

Concerned with the direction the country was heading, he entered politics to help secure better opportunities for future generations.

A keen fisherman and petanque enthusiast, he also enjoys reading, music, sailing and surfing.

He currently resides in Devonport, Auckland with his wife and two children.

Where do you see the future for MMP and why?

Calder: Who knows. That’s in the hands of the people of New Zealand. We have a policy of honouring our campaign promises. One of our campaign promises was to have a referendum on MMP, and just recently the prime minister, John Key, has announced that he is going to do that and that it will be done before the 2011 election. It will be very interesting to see the result of that referendum because if it’s over 50 percent of people voting one way, that will be binding that promise as made in that comment.

Should citizens associated with the referendum be treated more seriously in light of the smacking bill?

Calder: I can assure you that this initiated referendum was treated extremely seriously. The prime minister has repeatedly stated and underlined it. In one particular press release it was stated about three, possible even more times that if he sees a trend of the current law not working he will change the law. Now how clearer can you show that your actually listening to the people. So I believe that he has listened, he may not have taken the option that some people think he should of taken, but it’s surprising that we’ve had a large amount of support for the stance that he has taken. The fundamental point is that he has been listening to that result. He’s heard that people are concerned about certain issues and he has addressed those and he is asking for the police and CYFS [Child, Youth, and Family Services] to report on those specific issues that was raised in much of the communication ensured.

Name a dream team of seven members of Parliament – people who you think exemplify how an MP should conduct him/herself. Your list of seven can only include three members of your own party.

Calder: Well I don’t actually have seven parliamentary role models to be fair. First thing one learns here is how much one has to learn and one can learn from everybody or anybody. On all sides of the house, of course in one’s own party, one’s got John Key, Bill English, and Gerry Brownlee. Obviously they didn’t become prime minister, 2IC, and number three for no good reason. I enjoy the wit of Shane Jones, I think the light touch with a bit of banter is a good indication that the house is in a healthy state. Chris Auchinvole was a delight to listen to with his Scottish probe and many people from time to time entertain and inform in the house.

Fascinated by the health and education sector, Calder said he hopes the country move towards a more preventive health policy.

“We are rolling out initiatives in areas already; particularly I think we need to raise the awareness around men of the ravages of prostate cancer,” he said.

“Too many men die of prostate cancer, we have very good programmes highlighting breast cancer and cervical cancer for women, men I think deserve at least that consideration as well.”

Focusing on the importance of educating youth, the fresh start for young offenders programme was introduced to deal with the worst young offenders.

“It’s a very good initiative…we got to avoid silo thinking, so we reshape the mesh wherever we can,” he said.

Calder said National’s involvement with youth offenders are in many areas within the justice portfolio and also trying to offer jobs to young people through the community.

“The youth guarantee scheme in education is very important which allows people to continue their education, if they are not feeling suited in a school environment.”

Previously a clinical research director for a sporting equipment company, stepping into the political world has been challenging but rewarding.

“It’s an extraordinary amount of work, but the work is amazingly varied and I’m finding it thoroughly enjoyable,” he said.

“I’m just enjoying the day to day experience and I’ve got a few things on my list that I would like to see happen whilst I’m here.”

Sarah Taane is a journalism student at Massey University

ENDS

© Scoop Media