Brendon Burns

I live in Richmond, Christchurch with my wife, Philippa. We have two young adult daughters, Hannah and Rachel.

I consider myself lucky to have had the benefit of a good state secondary education before training as a journalist. I worked for 12 years in the Parliamentary Press Gallery – much of it for The Press. As Editor of The Marlborough Express for seven years, I led various community initiatives and won the country’s top journalism award – a term at Cambridge University. I then twice stood in the Kaikoura seat for Labour, working in the Beehive between elections.  I have also run my own communications business Indaba Communications.

The ‘fair go’ and opportunities which we got as a working-class family of six kids sealed my politics.

Concerned about Marlborough’s low wages despite the grape boom, I played a key role in establishing Marlborough’s economic development trust. I spent eight on the region’s polytechnic council, with a particular focus on encouraging trade training to help boost skills and wage levels.

Christchurch now faces the challenge of future proofing itself. There’s a big industrial base. We need to ensure the skills are tuned to 21st century needs.

My goal as MP for Christchurch Central is to work hard for my constituents and to assist this city and region to grow in way that does not come at the cost of our unmatchable quality of life.