Elliot Ikilei

Elliot Ikilei was born on 25 June 1977{{cite news|title=Compare the candidates for Takanini - NZ Election 2020 |url=https://policy.nz/candidates/G48#Elliot-Ikilei |website=Policy.nz |publisher=The Spinoff |accessdate=6 September 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200830003359/https://policy.nz/candidates/G48 |archivedate=30 August 2020 |url-status=live}} and grew up in the Auckland suburbs of Point England, Glen Innes, and Mount Wellington. He spent his teenage years in Hamilton.{{cite news |title=Getting Candid with ... Elliot Ikilei |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/manukau-courier/95276612/getting-candid-a-voice-for-the-family |accessdate=26 July 2019 |publisher=Stuff |date=9 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108033834/https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/manukau-courier/95276612/getting-candid-a-voice-for-the-family|archive-date=8 November 2019}} According to Ikilei, he struggled with drug and alcohol addiction during his youth before undergoing a "born again" experience and converting to Christianity at the age of 25.{{cite news |last1=Master |first1=Farida |title=From darkness to light: journey of youth worker turned politician |url=https://www.times.co.nz/news/from-darkness-to-light-journey-of-youth-worker-turned-politician/ |accessdate=18 August 2020 |work=Times Online |date=23 June 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817183058/https://www.times.co.nz/news/from-darkness-to-light-journey-of-youth-worker-turned-politician/ |archivedate=17 August 2020|url-status=live}}

Ikilei has worked as a youth worker in Auckland's Flat Bush and Botany Downs suburbs. Ikilei currently lives in Papakura in South Auckland.{{cite web |title=Elliot Ikilei |url=https://www.newconservative.org.nz/elliot-ikilei |publisher=New Conservatives |accessdate=26 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200512062804/https://www.newconservative.org.nz/elliot-ikilei|archive-date=12 May 2020}} He is married to Eona, a Singaporean, and the couple have two children named Jeslyn and Eli.

During the lead-up to the 2017 general election, Elliott Ikilei had been designated as the Conservative candidate for a cross-party debate in March 2017 organised by the University of Auckland's Debating Society. However, the Conservatives were uninvited when the society decided to limit participants to parties that were represented in the New Zealand Parliament.{{cite news|title=University Debate Running Scared of Conservatives!|url= http://auckland.scoop.co.nz/2017/03/university-debate-running-scared-of-conservatives/|accessdate=13 August 2017|publisher=Scoop.co.nz|date=4 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726115442/http://auckland.scoop.co.nz/2017/03/university-debate-running-scared-of-conservatives/|archive-date=26 July 2019}} At a subsequent debate held at the University of Auckland, Ikilei advocated government prohibitions of abortion and supported citizen-initiated referendums.

In June 2017, Ikilei was appointed as the Conservative Party's deputy leader and nominated as the party's candidate for the Manurewa electorate;{{cite news|title=Deputy Leader for Manurewa Candidate|url=https://www.conservativeparty.org.nz/index.php/2017/06/09/1835/|accessdate=13 August 2017|publisher=Conservative Party of New Zealand|date=9 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212074427/https://www.conservativeparty.org.nz/index.php/2017/06/09/1835/|archive-date=12 February 2018}} he won 342 votes and came last of six candidates.{{cite web |title=Manurewa – Official Result – 2017 General Election |url= https://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2017/electorate-details-25.html |publisher=Electoral Commission |accessdate=26 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116060437/https://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2017/electorate-details-25.html|archive-date=16 January 2020}} The Conservatives overall performed poorly during the election, winning only 0.2% of the party vote (6,253 votes) and did not win any seats in Parliament.{{cite web|title=2017 General Election – Official Result|url=http://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2017/|publisher=Electoral Commission|accessdate=7 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610055552/https://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2017/|archive-date=10 June 2020}}

After the Conservatives rebranded themselves as the New Conservatives,{{cite news |last1=Braae |first1=Alex |title=NZ's resurgent New Conservatives: riding the culture wars to the 2020 election |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/25-07-2019/nzs-resurgent-new-conservatives-riding-the-culture-wars-to-the-2020-election/ |accessdate=25 July 2019 |publisher=The Spinoff |date=25 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200429015838/https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/25-07-2019/nzs-resurgent-new-conservatives-riding-the-culture-wars-to-the-2020-election/|archive-date=29 April 2020}} Ikilei defended controversial far-right Canadians Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux, who had been denied public speaking venues during their tour of Auckland in July 2018.{{cite news |last1=Ikilei |first1=Elliot |title=A Line Has Been Crossed |url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1807/S00097/a-line-has-been-crossed.htm |accessdate=26 July 2019 |agency=Scoop |publisher=New Conservatives |date=8 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200130101822/https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1807/S00097/a-line-has-been-crossed.htm|archive-date=30 January 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Chiang |first1=Jessie |title=Auckland free speech rally over controversial speakers draws crowds |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/361812/auckland-free-speech-rally-over-controversial-speakers-draws-crowds |accessdate=26 July 2019 |publisher=Radio New Zealand |date=14 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726115441/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/361812/auckland-free-speech-rally-over-controversial-speakers-draws-crowds|archive-date=26 July 2019}} In August 2018, Ikilei seconded former National and ACT parties leader Don Brash during a debate on free speech and "political correctness" at the University of Auckland, which attracted the attention of protesters.{{cite news |title=Protesters disrupt free-speech debate when Don Brash takes stage |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12104338 |accessdate=26 July 2019 |publisher=New Zealand Herald |date=9 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809161216/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12104338|archive-date=9 August 2018}}{{cite news |last1=Chapman |first1=Madaleine |title=And the winner is: Don Brash, by a mile |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/10-08-2018/and-the-winner-is-don-brash-by-a-mile/ |accessdate=26 July 2019 |publisher=The Spinoff |date=10 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726115443/https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/10-08-2018/and-the-winner-is-don-brash-by-a-mile/|archive-date=26 July 2019}}

In October 2018, Ikilei was designated as the party's candidate for the scheduled Botany by-election,{{cite news |title=Elliot Ikilei to Contest Botany for New Conservative |url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1810/S00255/elliot-ikilei-to-contest-botany-for-new-conservative.htm |accessdate=26 July 2019 |agency=Scoop (website) |publisher=New Conservatives |date=17 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726115445/http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1810/S00255/elliot-ikilei-to-contest-botany-for-new-conservative.htm|archive-date=26 July 2019}} triggered by Jami-Lee Ross' resignation from the National Party. However, the by-election did not go ahead since Ross opted to remain in Parliament as an independent candidate.{{cite news |title=Burning Bridges: Simon says Ross 'lying, leaking, lashing out' |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/politics/watch-bridges-responds-after-ross-goes-down-fighting |accessdate=26 July 2019 |publisher=Otago Daily Times |date=16 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726115444/https://www.odt.co.nz/news/politics/watch-bridges-responds-after-ross-goes-down-fighting|archive-date=26 July 2019}}

During the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand, Ikilei attended an anti-lockdown "liberty march" in Auckland's Queen Street, which attracted hundreds of demonstrators including Advance New Zealand party co-leader Jami-Lee Ross.{{cite news|date=29 August 2020|title=Hundreds protest against lockdowns, vaccines while unmasked in Auckland|work=1News|url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/hundreds-protest-against-lockdowns-vaccines-while-unmasked-in-auckland|url-status=live|accessdate=29 August 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200829032613/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/hundreds-protest-against-lockdowns-vaccines-while-unmasked-in-auckland|archivedate=29 August 2020}}

In April 2020, the New Conservative Party announced Ikilei as their candidate for the 2020 New Zealand general election for the new electorate of Takanini (at the time proposed to be called "Flat Bush") that had been created following population changes.{{Cite web|last=|first=|last2=|first2=|last3=|first3=|date=9 April 2020|title=Elliot Ikilei Will Stand For Flat Bush|url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO2004/S00074/elliot-ikilei-will-stand-for-flat-bush.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200415111624/https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO2004/S00074/elliot-ikilei-will-stand-for-flat-bush.htm|archive-date=15 April 2020|access-date=2020-06-15|website=Scoop|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Keogh |first1=Brittany |title=Election 2020: Who's who in Auckland's most hotly contested races |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/122195090/election-2020-whos-who-in-aucklands-most-hotly-contested-races |accessdate=18 August 2020 |work=Stuff |date=27 July 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818035923/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/122195090/election-2020-whos-who-in-aucklands-most-hotly-contested-races |archivedate=18 August 2020|url-status=live}} He campaigned on increasing support for neighbourhood police teams in Takanini and improving local road infrastructure.{{cite news |last1=Keogh |first1=Brittany |title=Election 2020: Doctor, businesswoman among candidates for new Takanini seat |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/122329628/election-2020-doctor-businesswoman-among-candidates-for-new-takanini-seat |accessdate=24 August 2020 |work=Stuff |date=6 August 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809110559/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/122329628/election-2020-doctor-businesswoman-among-candidates-for-new-takanini-seat |archivedate=9 August 2020}}

At the election, held on 17 October, Ikilei came fourth in Takinini with 939 votes.{{cite web |title=Takanini - Official Result |url=https://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2020/electorate-details-48.html |publisher=Electoral Commission |accessdate=14 November 2020 }} The New Conservatives received 1.5% of the party vote (42,615 votes), below the five percent threshold needed to enter Parliament.{{cite web |title=2020 General Election and Referendums - Official Result |url=https://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2020/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621001306/https://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2020/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 June 2023 |publisher=Electoral Commission |accessdate=14 November 2020 }} As such, Ikilei again did not enter Parliament.

Following the election results, Ikilei said that the party would be contest the next general election scheduled for 2023. Ikilei attributed the party's failure to enter Parliament to factors including insufficient media coverage of minor parties and shortcomings in the New Conservative's campaign messaging such as their Māori language policies.{{cite news|last1=Braae|first1=Alex|date=22 October 2020|title=A tale of two minor parties: Lessons for 2023 for TOP and the New Conservatives|work=The Spinoff|url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/22-10-2020/a-tale-of-two-minor-parties-lessons-for-2023-for-top-and-the-new-conservatives/|url-status=live|accessdate=22 October 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022043501/https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/22-10-2020/a-tale-of-two-minor-parties-lessons-for-2023-for-top-and-the-new-conservatives/|archivedate=22 October 2020}}

In November 2020, the party's board voted for Ikilei to be its leader, replacing Leighton Baker.{{cite news|date=19 November 2020|title=Leighton Baker steps down as New Conservative leader|publisher=1News|url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/leighton-baker-steps-down-new-conservative-leader|url-status=live|accessdate=19 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119040831/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/leighton-baker-steps-down-new-conservative-leader|archive-date=19 November 2020}}{{Cite web|last=Braae|first=Alex|date=2020-11-19|title=Coup Conservatives? Leader ousted to make way for 'outspoken' Elliot Ikilei|url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/19-11-2020/coup-conservatives-leader-ousted-to-make-way-for-outspoken-elliot-ikilei/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119043106/https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/19-11-2020/coup-conservatives-leader-ousted-to-make-way-for-outspoken-elliot-ikilei/|archive-date=2020-11-19|access-date=2020-11-19|work=The Spinoff}} Ikilei said that there would not be significant changes to the party's policy, but he would be taking a "more aggressive and confrontational approach to presentation style."

On 31 December, six weeks into the role, Ikilei announced his resignation as leader on Twitter.{{cite tweet|user=ElliotIkilei|number=1344278514262921216|date=31 December 2020|title=Resignation}}

On 27 January 2025, Ikilei represented the advocacy group Hobson's Pledge alongside trustee and civil litigator Thomas Newman during the first day of oral submission hearings on the Treaty Principles Bill. Ikilei and Newman expressed agreement with the first two principles of the legislation but expressed disagreement with the second principle. Ikilei claimed the second principle did not treat people equally and advocated the removal of references to iwi (tribe) and hapū (sub-group) from the bill, reverting to its original draft form. Ikilei also claimed that Hobson's Pledge had been initially denied a slot in the oral hearings until it managed to convince another group Democracy Action to give its speaking slot.{{cite news |last1=Moir |first1=Jo |title=Select Committee Treaty Principles Bill submissions hearings begin |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/540018/select-committee-treaty-principles-bill-submissions-hearings-begin |access-date=31 January 2025 |work=RNZ |date=27 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250129014256/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/540018/select-committee-treaty-principles-bill-submissions-hearings-begin |archive-date=29 January 2025|url-status=live}}

Ikilei is socially conservative, opposing abortion, supporting cannabis prohibition and taking a traditional stance on family, law and order, and welfare. In April 2019, Ikilei was temporarily suspended from Twitter for tweeting "'Trans women' are men with dysphoria/disorder, to be treated with compassion and tolerance"; a remark condemned by many as transphobic.{{cite web |last1=de Boer |first1=Dieuwe |title=New Conservative's Elliot Ikilei Suspended From Twitter |url=https://www.rightminds.nz/articles/new-conservatives-elliot-ikilei-suspended-twitter |publisher=Right Minds |accessdate=25 July 2019 |date=29 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221110140/https://www.rightminds.nz/articles/new-conservatives-elliot-ikilei-suspended-twitter|archive-date=21 February 2020}} Ikilei has defended controversial Australian rugby player Israel Folau's opposition to homosexuality.

Ikilei has described free speech as a cornerstone of Western culture. He has also advocated "tough on crime" policies and opposed Māori seats.{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Corazon |title=New Conservatives defend Western culture as 'greatest in the world', warn NZ 'sliding toward socialism' |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/shows/2020/07/new-conservatives-defend-western-culture-as-greatest-in-the-world-warn-nz-sliding-toward-socialism.html |accessdate=11 July 2020 |work=Newshub |date=11 July 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711012939/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/shows/2020/07/new-conservatives-defend-western-culture-as-greatest-in-the-world-warn-nz-sliding-toward-socialism.html |archivedate=11 July 2020}} In August 2019, Ikilei welcomed a deal between the Māori tribe Te Kawerau ā Maki and Fletcher Building over the Ihumātao land dispute.{{cite news |last1=Ikilei |first1=Elliot |title=Elliot Ikilei: What does Ihumātao say about our values? |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northland-age/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503402&objectid=12254661 |accessdate=18 August 2020 |work=New Zealand Herald |date=1 August 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190821231417/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northland-age/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503402&objectid=12254661 |archivedate=21 August 2019|url-status=live}} He has also criticised China's Hong Kong national security law.{{cite news |title=New Conservative: Hong Kong situation requires clear NZ stance |url=https://www.times.co.nz/news/new-conservative-hong-kong-situation-requires-clear-nz-stance/ |accessdate=18 August 2020 |work=Times Online |date=10 July 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817184735/https://www.times.co.nz/news/new-conservative-hong-kong-situation-requires-clear-nz-stance/ |archivedate=17 August 2020|url-status=live}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.newconservative.org.nz/elliot-ikilei New Conservatives profile]
• [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-ikilei-471822171/?originalSubdomain=nz Elliot Ikilei's LinkedIn profile]

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Category:1977 births

Category:Living people

Category:New Conservative Party (New Zealand) politicians

Category:Leaders of political parties in New Zealand

Category:New Zealand Christians

Category:Unsuccessful candidates in the 2017 New Zealand general election

Category:Unsuccessful candidates in the 2020 New Zealand general election

Category:New Zealand people of Niuean descent

Category:New Zealand people of Māori descent

Category:New Zealand people of Tongan descent