Angela Susan Roberts[2] is a New Zealand teacher, unionist and politician.
Angela Roberts | |
|---|---|
 Roberts in 2023 | |
| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Labour party list | |
| In office 17 October 2020 – 14 October 2023 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1968 or 1969 (age 54–55)[1] |
| Political party | Labour |
| Spouse | Ian Anglesey |
| Children | 2 |
| Profession | Teacher |
Early life and career
editRoberts spent 20 years in the education sector teaching economics and drama.[3] In 2013 Roberts became President of the Post Primary Teachers' Association (PPTA) union. As President she was critical of then-Education Minister Hekia Parata on teaching issues including Novopay and charter schools. In 2017 she took up a teaching position at Stratford High School, resigning as PPTA president, instead becoming senior vice president of the PPTA.[4]
Subsequently, Roberts was involved in the Just Transition Summit conversations in Taranaki. She took a particular interest in the role of education and training in sustaining future businesses and workforce.[4]
Member of Parliament
edit| Years | Term | Electorate | List | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020–2023 | 53rd | List | 50 | Labour | |
There was speculation she would run as a Labour Party candidate in the 2017 election, a notion Roberts did not rule out. However, at the last minute, she decided against running.[4]
Roberts entered Parliament in the 2020 election. She ran for the electorate of Taranaki-King Country, coming second behind the incumbent National MP Barbara Kuriger by a margin of 3,134 votes.[5] Since she was ranked 50th on Labour's party list, Roberts was elected to Parliament.[6][7]
On 29 September 2023, Roberts was physically assaulted at a surgery at the Rotary club in Inglewood, Taranaki, while canvassing for Taranaki-King Country. The man reportedly confronted Roberts before he “grabbed [her] shoulders" and shook her violently "in order to emphasise the point he was making" before slapping her across the face.[8] Roberts later said to Radio New Zealand "It feels like, incrementally, there is a growing acceptance of aggression in politics and our democratic processes. This must change." She thanked National MP Barbara Kuriger for reaching out to her after the incident.[9]
During the 2023 New Zealand general election held on 14 October, Roberts contested Taranaki-King Country a second time. She lost to incumbent Kuriger by a margin of 14,355 votes.[10]
Personal life
editRoberts lives in Tariki with her husband Ian Anglesey, who is also a teacher, and their two children. She enjoys beach walking, tramping and community theatre.[3]
References
edit- ^ "Compare the candidates for Taranaki-King Country — NZ Election 2020". Your complete guide to NZ Election 2020 — Policy.
- ^ "Speech – New Zealand Parliament".
- ^ a b Coster, Deena (23 July 2020). "Candidate's bid to break National's stranglehold in Taranaki-King Country". Stuff. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
- ^ a b c Moir, Jo (25 May 2020). "Former PPTA president Angela Roberts to run for Labour". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
- ^ "Taranaki-King Country – Official Count". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
- ^ Coughlan, Thomas (15 June 2020). "Ayesha Verrall leads fresh-faced Labour party list for 2020". Stuff. Archived from the original on 20 October 2020. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
- ^ "2020 General Election and Referendums – Official Result Successful Candidates". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
- ^ Mathias, Shanti (29 September 2023). "Labour candidate slapped following debate in Taranaki". The Spinoff. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
- ^ "'Completely unacceptable': Labour candidate Angela Roberts 'slapped' following political debate". Radio New Zealand. 29 September 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
- ^ "Taranaki-King Country - Official Result". Electoral Commission. 3 November 2023. Archived from the original on 10 December 2023. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
