Clare Curran

Curran grew up and was educated in Dunedin; she attended Moreau College where she achieved School Certificate. She has a BA double major in Anthropology and History from the University of Otago, and BA Honours in Anthropology from Victoria University of Wellington.{{Cite web|url=https://www.clarecurran.org.nz/home/|title=Clare Curran for Dunedin South – Home|website=clarecurran.org.nz|access-date=2018-11-24|archive-date=14 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114063531/https://www.clarecurran.org.nz/home/|url-status=dead}}{{Better source needed|date=November 2018}}

During an interview with the University of Otago's student magazine Critic Te Arohi in early March 2020, Curran acknowledged that she had been charged with possession for marijuana during her youth, for which she paid a NZ$50 fine.{{cite web |title=Critic – Te Arohi was live |url=https://www.facebook.com/critictearohi/videos/217156826143563/?comment_id=217168452809067 |website=Facebook |publisher=Critic Te Arohi |accessdate=4 March 2020 |date=2 March 2020}}{{cite news |title=Dunedin South MP Clare Curran admits cannabis fine |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/119955220/dunedin-south-mp-clare-curran-admits-cannabis-conviction |accessdate=4 March 2020 |work=Stuff.co.nz |date=2 March 2020}}{{cite news |title=Dunedin South MP Clare Curran admits cannabis arrest |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12313436 |accessdate=4 March 2020 |work=The New Zealand Herald|date=3 March 2020}}

Curran worked in communications for Australian unions over a number of years before returning to New Zealand in 2002 with her young family. She continued to work in public relations in Dunedin.^{[better source needed]}

Curran joined the New Zealand Labour Party in 2006. She quickly rose to prominence within the Otago-Southland hierarchy, becoming a member of the Council of the New Zealand Labour Party.{{cite web|title=Clare Curran Biography|url=http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/MPP/MPs/MPs/4/2/4/50MP169711-Curran-Clare.htm|publisher=New Zealand Parliament|accessdate=26 March 2013}}

In 2006 Curran presented a paper to the Otago-Southland region of the Labour Party on "capturing the language" on climate change policy.{{cite news|last=Hosking|first=Rob|title=Labour Massages the Message|url=http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/labour-massages-message|accessdate=26 March 2013|newspaper=National Business Review |date=1 December 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722011006/http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/labour-massages-message|archive-date=22 July 2015|url-status=dead}}

In May 2006 Curran was appointed to a contractual role within the Ministry for the Environment following a recommendation from Environment Minister David Parker's office to provide communications advice on the Government's climate change strategy. This appointment was the subject of an investigation by the State Services Commission into the appropriateness of Curran's engagement.{{cite web|last=Rennie|first=Iain|title=Investigation into the Engagement of Clare Curran|url=http://www.ssc.govt.nz/sites/all/files/report-to-commissioner-engagement-curran.pdf|publisher=State Services Commission|accessdate=26 March 2013}} The report found that the Ministry had failed to adequately identify Curran's conflict of interest with respect to her relationship with Minister Parker.{{cite news|title=Ministry botched Curran hiring|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/politics/49148/Setchell-found-other-public-jobs-closed-to-her|accessdate=26 March 2013|newspaper=Dominion Post|date=14 November 2007}} The report found that a staff member in Parker's office had described Curran as Parker's "right-hand woman" and in an email to Environment Ministry Chief Executive Hugh Logan, and recommended that Curran meet with Logan to discuss communications. Logan resigned as Chief Executive of the Ministry hours before the State Services Commission's report into the Curran affair was released.

She is currently a member of many unions and political groups. She is a member of the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union and the Service & Food Workers Union. She is also a member of Greenpeace. She was also on the Council of the New Zealand Labour Party as Otago-Southland regional representative.{{cite web |url=http://www.labour.org.nz/labour_team/nz_council/index.html |title=New Zealand Council Members |accessdate=2017-02-10 |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071026130148/http://www.labour.org.nz/labour_team/nz_council/index.html |archivedate=26 October 2007}}

After leaving Parliament, Curran was appointed as a member of the University of Otago Council{{Cite web|last=Otago|first=University of|title=22 December 2021 Appointments to University of Otago Council|url=https://www.otago.ac.nz/news/news/otago836471.html|access-date=2022-02-22|website=University of Otago|language=en-nz}} and a director of the Crown company Network 4 Learning.{{Cite web|title=Appointment to Network for Learning board|url=http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/appointment-network-learning-board|access-date=2022-02-22|website=The Beehive|language=en}} She was previously chair of Life Matters Suicide Prevention Trust (2020–2022) and is currently co-general manager.{{Cite web|last=Houlahan|first=Mike|date=2022-02-22|title=Curran takes hands-on role in Life Matters|url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/health/curran-takes-hands-role-life-matters|access-date=2022-02-22|website=Otago Daily Times |language=en}}

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In 2007, Curran launched a bid to unseat sitting MP David Benson-Pope as the Labour Party candidate for Dunedin South.{{cite news |title=Benson-Pope faces challenge for Dunedin seat |url= http://www.stuff.co.nz/11988/Benson-Pope-faces-contest-for-Dunedin-seat |accessdate=26 March 2013 |newspaper=The Dominion Post |date=30 October 2007}}{{cite news |title=Ousted Benson-Pope to stay loyal |url= http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/politics/250657/Ousted-Benson-Pope-to-stay-loyal-font-size-1-video-font |accessdate=26 March 2013 |newspaper=The Dominion Post |date=3 February 2008}} Curran won the selection contest ahead of Benson-Pope and the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union's Don Pryde.{{cite news |title=Benson-Pope loses hold on Dunedin South |url= http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10490285 |accessdate=27 September 2014 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=2 February 2008}} Curran won the 2008 election against National's Conway Powell.{{cite news |last1=McLean |first1=Elspeth |title=Curran dismisses commentator's strong criticism |url= http://www.odt.co.nz/election-2011/-south/188425/curran-dismisses-commentators-strong-criticism |accessdate=27 September 2014 |work=Otago Daily Times |date=28 November 2011}} However, in 2011, National Party candidate, Jo Hayes, reduced Curran's majority from 6449 in 2008{{cite web |title=Official Count Results – Dunedin South |url=http://2008.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2008/electorate-9.html |publisher=Chief Electoral Office |accessdate=27 September 2014 |date=22 November 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20150113102845/http://2008.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2008/electorate-9.html |archivedate=13 January 2015}} to 4175 in 2011,{{cite web |title=Official Count Results – Dunedin South |url= http://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2011/electorate-9.html |publisher=Electoral Commission |accessdate=27 September 2014 |date=10 December 2011}} and National gained a majority of the party vote in Dunedin South by 1837 votes. In the {{NZ election link|2014}}, Curran was successful against National's Hamish Walker.{{cite news |title=Agony and ecstasy for Dunedin party faithful |url= http://www.odt.co.nz/news/election-2014/316617/agony-and-ecstasy-dunedin-party-faithful |accessdate=27 September 2014 |work=Otago Daily Times |date=20 September 2014}}

In the 49th New Zealand Parliament, she was a member of the Commerce Committee and was the Labour spokesperson for Communications and Information Technology.

While in Opposition, Curran spoke out against the closure of public broadcaster TVNZ 7,{{cite news| url= http://www.3news.co.nz/Curran-questions-Govts-TV-funding-priorities/tabid/419/articleID/214087/Default.aspx| work= 3 News NZ| title= Curran questions Govt's TV funding priorities| date= 7 June 2011| access-date= 25 November 2012| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110907060424/http://www.3news.co.nz/Curran-questions-Govts-TV-funding-priorities/tabid/419/articleID/214087/Default.aspx| archive-date= 7 September 2011| url-status= dead}} the Government's controversial move to include software in the Patents Bill,{{cite news| url= http://www.3news.co.nz/Innovation-crushed-by-change-to-Patents-Bill/tabid/412/articleID/267890/Default.aspx| work= 3 News NZ| title= Innovation 'crushed' by change to Patents Bill| date= 4 September 2012| access-date= 25 November 2012| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121119131659/http://www.3news.co.nz/Innovation-crushed-by-change-to-Patents-Bill/tabid/412/articleID/267890/Default.aspx| archive-date= 19 November 2012| url-status= dead}} KiwiRail job losses,{{cite news| url= http://www.3news.co.nz/Kiwirail-costs-disputed-by-MP/tabid/423/articleID/242893/Default.aspx| archive-url= https://archive.today/20130222214703/http://www.3news.co.nz/Kiwirail-costs-disputed-by-MP/tabid/423/articleID/242893/Default.aspx| url-status= dead| archive-date= 22 February 2013| work= 3 News NZ| title= Kiwirail costs disputed by MP| date= 15 February 2012}} TV coverage of the Paralympics,{{cite news| url= http://www.3news.co.nz/TV-ignoring-NZs-Paralympians-Labour/tabid/415/articleID/268140/Default.aspx| work= 3 News NZ| title= TV ignoring NZ's Paralympians: Labour| date= 5 September 2012| access-date= 25 November 2012| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121013142352/http://www.3news.co.nz/TV-ignoring-NZs-Paralympians-Labour/tabid/415/articleID/268140/Default.aspx| archive-date= 13 October 2012| url-status= dead}} and the lack of a telecommunications watchdog in New Zealand.{{cite news| url= http://www.3news.co.nz/Labour-calls-for-telco-watchdog-following-fines/tabid/421/articleID/268799/Default.aspx| work= 3 News NZ| title= Labour calls for telco watchdog following fines| date= 11 September 2012| access-date= 25 November 2012| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121114140424/http://www.3news.co.nz/Labour-calls-for-telco-watchdog-following-fines/tabid/421/articleID/268799/Default.aspx| archive-date= 14 November 2012| url-status= dead}} Curran also advocated for the return of rail engineering to the former Hillside Engineering site in South Dunedin and highlighted South Dunedin's vulnerability to extreme weather events and rising sea levels.

File:New-govt-2017.jpg

Curran was elected as a Cabinet Minister by the Labour Party caucus following Labour's formation of a coalition government with New Zealand First and the Greens.{{cite web|url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/342022/video-who-s-in-who-s-out|accessdate=20 October 2017|title=Who's in? Who's out?|date=20 October 2017|work=Radio New Zealand }} On 26 October, Curran assumed the portfolios of Minister of Broadcasting, Communications, and Digital Media and Minister for Government Digital Services. In addition, Curran was also allocated the associate portfolios for the Accident Compensation Corporation and the State Services Commission (with responsibility for open government).

File:Signing the Digital 7 Charter.jpg

At the 2017 NetHui, Curran publicly proposed as part of her 100-day plan the formation of a chief technology officer (CTO) role for New Zealand Government.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cio.co.nz/article/629786/clare-curran-cto-proposal-government-100-day-fast-track/|title=Hon. Clare Curran: CTO proposal in the government's 100-day fast track|work=CIO New Zealand|access-date=2018-02-19}} As of February 2018, no CTO had been selected despite over 60 candidates expressing interest in the role. Curran commented that "after careful consideration she had decided not to make an appointment at this stage and the search for a suitable candidate would be widened."{{Cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/101378255/government-to-widen-search-for-chief-technology-officer-after-none-of-60-candidates-convinces|title=Government to 'widen' search for chief technology officer after none of 60 candidates convinces|website=Stuff |language=en|access-date=2018-02-19}}

In late March 2018, Curran became the subject of media attention after it emerged that she had secretly met with Radio New Zealand broadcaster and senior manager Carol Hirschfeld on 5 December 2017 outside of parliamentary business. Curran initially claimed the meeting was coincidental but later admitted it had been pre-arranged. These revelations led to Hirschfeld's resignation from her position as senior manager at Radio NZ. The meeting was related to the Labour-led government's plans to expand public broadcasting through Radio New Zealand. Curran's actions drew criticism from the National Party's broadcasting spokesperson Melissa Lee, who accused Curran of engaging in a cover-up.{{cite news|last1=Walters|first1=Laura|last2=Cooke|first2=Henry|title=Curran's 'informal' meeting with Carol Hirschfeld planned for an hour|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/102619960/rnz-senior-manager-carol-hirschfeld-resigns-over-meeting-with-minister|accessdate=11 April 2018|work=Stuff.co.nz|date=27 March 2018}}{{cite news|title=Carol Hirschfeld resigns over Clare Curran meeting|url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/carol-hirschfeld-resigns-over-clare-curran-meeting|accessdate=11 April 2018|agency=NZME|newspaper=Otago Daily Times|date=27 March 2018}}

On 24 August 2018, Prime Minister Ardern dismissed Curran from the Cabinet after Curran acknowledged that she had kept a second meeting off the records. In February, Curran had met with tech entrepreneur Derek Handley at her Beehive office to discuss his interest in the vacant Chief Technology Officer role. Curran had failed to disclose the meeting in her ministerial diary and to inform staff or officials about it. Curran apologised to the Prime Minister for her actions and also resigned from her positions as Minister of Government Digital Services and Minister responsible for Open Government. Curran kept her Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media and associate ACC portfolios.{{cite news |title=Jacinda Ardern sacks Clare Curran from Cabinet, removes her from two portfolios after second failure to declare a meeting |url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/jacinda-ardern-sacks-clare-curran-cabinet-removes-her-two-portfolios-after-second-failure-declare-meeting |accessdate=24 August 2018 |publisher=1News |date=24 August 2018}}{{cite news |last1=Hurley |first1=Emma |title=Prime Minister removes Clare Curran from Cabinet |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/08/prime-minister-removes-clare-curran-from-cabinet.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180824074735/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/08/prime-minister-removes-clare-curran-from-cabinet.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 August 2018 |accessdate=24 August 2018 |publisher=Newshub |date=24 August 2018}}{{cite news |title=Clare Curran sacked from Cabinet, PM Jacinda Ardern announces |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12112984 |accessdate=24 August 2018 |newspaper=The New Zealand Herald|date=24 August 2018}}

On 5 September 2018, Curran "appeared flustered" and "stumbled over her answers" when answering questions during question time from opposition National MP Melissa Lee regarding Curran's use of a personal Gmail account for Ministerial use.{{cite news|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/106851077/embattled-minister-clare-curran-struggles-to-explain-using-personal-email-for-government-business|accessdate=5 September 2018|title=Embattled minister Clare Curran struggles to explain using personal email for Government business|date=5 September 2018|work=Stuff.co.nz}} Two days later Curran resigned as a Minister of Broadcasting and Associate Minister of ACC, saying she could "no longer endure the relentless pressure I've been under."{{cite news |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/106908738/clare-curran-resigns-as-minister |title=Clare Curran resigns as minister, citing 'intolerable' pressure |first=Henry |last=Cooke |work=Stuff |date=7 September 2018 |accessdate=7 September 2018}}

On 27 August 2019, Curran announced that she would be retiring from Parliament and not seek election at the 2020 general election. As of late August 2019, Curran sits on Parliament's Justice and Electoral select committees.{{cite news |last1=Houlahan |first1=Mike |title=Curran's career in perspective |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/politics/currans-career-perspective |accessdate=31 August 2019 |newspaper=Otago Daily Times |date=31 August 2019}} On 2 March 2020, former lawyer, journalist and director of the British Council New Zealand, Ingrid Leary, was nominated as the Labour candidate for Dunedin South to succeed Curran.{{cite news |last1=Houlahan |first1=Mike |title=Labour picks Dunedin South seat candidate |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/labour-picks-dunedin-south-seat-candidate |accessdate=6 March 2020 |work=Otago Daily Times |date=2 March 2020}}

Before retiring, Curran told journalist Donna Chisholm in detail about the "toxicity and bullying" she experienced in her political career, and in particular about the pressures she felt during her time as a minister, which culminated in her demotion and resignation. This led to her receiving months of treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. Curran alleged that, in 2012, Dunedin-based National list MP Michael Woodhouse and other National MPs had taken part in an event where she was mocked with a toilet seat emblazoned with her photo. She gave Chisholm an image of Woodhouse with the seat. Curran also stated that in 2006, before she entered Parliament, National MP Nick Smith had compared her with Joseph Goebbels, and that during their time in Parliament, Jacinda Ardern had been derided for her then childless status by National MPs Maggie Barry and Amy Adams. Barry's remarks in 2012 had received public attention.{{cite news |last1=Trevett |first1=Claire |title=Barry mocked for childless snipe |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10822482 |accessdate=5 July 2020 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=27 July 2012}} In addition to naming National MPs who she alleged had engaged in bullying, Curran told Chisholm about an incident with a senior Labour colleague at the end of her first year in Parliament, who she did not name. This colleague she described as telling her that she was "a victim, a femme fatale, and that [she] used [her] sexuality as a weapon."{{cite web |last1=Chisholm |first1=Donna |title=I physically felt like I was going to die': Clare Curran opens up on politics, toxicity and trauma |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/04-07-2020/clare-curran-interview-donna-chisholm/ |website=The Spinoff |accessdate=4 July 2020}} When asked for comment on the toilet seat allegation by the New Zealand Herald, Woodhouse responded "To be honest I cannot really remember it, and I don't think an eight-year-old photo is a burning issue of the day."{{cite news |title=Labour MP Clare Curran reveals 'traumatised' impact of 'dirty politics' campaign |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=12345480 |accessdate=4 July 2020 |work=The New Zealand Herald}} The independent MP Jami-Lee Ross, who left the National Party in a high-profile incident that included accusations of bullying against him, and who himself had dealt with mental health issues, apologised to Curran for the tactics of his former party.{{cite web |last1=Manhire |first1=Toby |title='We wanted to break her' – Jami-Lee Ross weighs in on Clare Curran story |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/04-07-2020/we-wanted-to-break-her-jami-lee-ross-weighs-in-on-clare-curran-story/ |website=The Spinoff |accessdate=4 July 2020}}

Shortly after leaving Parliament, Curran studied an English course at the University of Otago and began to write a crime novel.{{cite news |url=https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/350156526/life-after-politics-finding-new-buzz-beyond-beehive |title=Life after politics: Finding a new buzz beyond the Beehive |first=Julie |last=Julie Jacobson |work=The Post |date=27 January 2024 |accessdate=27 January 2024}} She is chair of Dunedin Night Shelter Trust, a member of the University of Otago Council and a director of Crown company Network for Learning.{{cite news |url=https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/350156526/life-after-politics-finding-new-buzz-beyond-beehive |title=Life after politics: Finding a new buzz beyond the Beehive |first=Julie |last=Julie Jacobson |work=The Post |date=27 January 2024 |accessdate=27 January 2024}}{{cite press release |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/appointment-network-learning-board |title=Appointment to Network for Learning board |first=Chris |last=Hipkins |authorlink=Chris Hipkins |date=2 December 2021 |accessdate=27 January 2024}}

As a Member of Parliament, Curran lobbied for the return of heavy rail engineering work to Hillside Engineering in South Dunedin, climate change adaptation and mitigation in the South Dunedin and Taieri Plain, and placing Dunedin on the priority list for state housing assistance. She also helped secure visas for the parents of Nisha Vijayan, a nurse at the Dunedin Hospital whose husband had died unexpectedly. In June 2011, Curran was sent out of Parliament for wearing a rugby shirt in the Otago rugby union team Highlanders' blue, gold, and maroon colours in protest of their new lime green colour.{{cite news |last1=Vance |first1=Andrea |last2=Chapman |first2=Kate |title=MP removed from Parliament for wearing rugby shirt |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/5109704/MP-removed-from-Parliament-for-wearing-rugby-shirt |accessdate=31 August 2019 |work=Stuff.co.nz |date=7 June 2011}}

{{reflist}}

{{subject bar|auto=y|d=y|Politics|New Zealand}}

• {{official website|http://www.clarecurran.org.nz/}}
• [https://www.parliament.nz/en/mps-and-electorates/members-of-parliament/curran-clare/ Parliamentary biography]

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{{Sixth Labour Government of New Zealand}}

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Category:1960 births

Category:Living people

Category:University of Otago alumni

Category:Victoria University of Wellington alumni

Category:New Zealand Labour Party MPs

Category:New Zealand MPs for Dunedin electorates

Category:People educated at Trinity Catholic College, Dunedin

Category:Women members of the New Zealand House of Representatives

Category:Members of the New Zealand House of Representatives

Category:21st-century New Zealand women politicians

Category:Candidates in the 2017 New Zealand general election

Category:Members of the Cabinet of New Zealand

Category:Women government ministers of New Zealand