Heather Roy

{{Infobox officeholder

| honorific-prefix = The Honourable

| name = Heather Roy

| honorific-suffix =

| image = Heather Roy.jpg

| order = Minister of Consumer Affairs

| term_start = 19 November 2008

| term_end = 17 August 2010

| primeminister = John Key

| predecessor = Judith Tizard

| successor = John Boscawen

| order2 = Deputy Leader of ACT Party

| term_start2 = 2006

| term_end2 = 2010

| leader2 = Rodney Hide

| predecessor2 = Muriel Newman

| successor2 = John Boscawen

| constituency_MP3 = ACT Party List

| parliament3 = New Zealand

| majority3 =

| predecessor3 =

| successor3 =

| term_start3 = 2002

| term_end3 = 2011

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1964|3|5|df=y}}

| birth_place = Palmerston, Otago

| death_date =

| death_place =

| nationality = New Zealand

| spouse = Duncan Roy

| party = ACT Party

| relations =

| children = 5

| residence =

| alma_mater =

| occupation = Physiotherapist, Member of Parliament, New Zealand Army Reserve

| profession =

| religion =

| signature =

| website =

| footnotes =

}}

Heather Roy (born 5 March 1964) is a former New Zealand politician. She was a Member of Parliament for ACT New Zealand from 2002 until 2011.

Roy was the deputy leader of ACT New Zealand from 17 September 2005 to 17 August 2010. She was also Minister of Consumer Affairs in the John Key-led National Government from 19 November 2008 until 17 August 2010.

Early life, career and family

Roy grew up in Palmerston, Otago as the eldest of six children.{{Cite web |date=2023-11-08 |title=Michele Hewitson Interview: Heather Roy |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/imichele-hewitson-interviewi-heather-roy/CLGZ2VAOQDRXG36ELIG4YKFHMU/ |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}} She was the deputy head girl and, later, head girl at her secondary school. She studied for a diploma in physiotherapy at Otago Polytechnic.{{Cite web |title=Roy, Heather - New Zealand Parliament |url=https://www.parliament.nz/mi/mps-and-electorates/former-members-of-parliament/roy-heather/ |access-date=2023-11-04 |website=www.parliament.nz |language=en}} She was introduced to politics in 1984 at the age of 20 when she met her husband Duncan Roy, who at that time was the New Zealand Party candidate for Awarua.{{Cite web |title=Valedictory Statements - New Zealand Parliament |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/document/49HansD_20110929_00000877/valedictory-statements |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=www.parliament.nz |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-11-08 |title=Heather Roy, Act party, List - New Zealand News |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/heather-roy-act-party-list/WHZF3VCR6JBDZXLNCGINPJCSTQ/ |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}} The Roys have five children.

Before entering politics, Roy worked as a physiotherapist, medical research co-ordinator, manager of a private kindergarten and as publicity officer for the New Zealand Portrait Gallery. In 2006, she completed basic and corps training as a reserve forces field engineer (Royal New Zealand Engineers) within the New Zealand Army.{{cite web |date=21 April 2006 |title=Army life looks good to Act MP |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/army-life-looks-good-to-act-mp/PBGOPGCTSMC5NKEVQMLE76SE2Y/ |access-date=31 October 2021 |publisher=New Zealand Herald }}{{cite web |date=9 June 2006 |title=Soldier MP to share new skills with House |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/soldier-mp-to-share-new-skills-with-house/LRX6RMKTOZ4Y4QBXW55YHFM7FE/ |access-date=31 October 2021 |publisher=New Zealand Herald }}

Member of Parliament

{{NZ parlbox|start={{NZ election link year|2002}}|end=2005|term=47th|party=ACT New Zealand|electorate=List|list=9}}

{{NZ parlbox|start={{NZ election link year|2005}}|end=2008|term=48th|party=ACT New Zealand|electorate=List|list=2}}

{{NZ parlbox|start={{NZ election link year|2008}}|end=2011|term=49th|party=ACT New Zealand|electorate=List|list=2}}

{{NZ parlbox footer}}Roy first contested Parliament as a list-only candidate at the 1999 general election, where she was ranked 10th on the ACT New Zealand list. ACT only won enough support for nine MPs so Roy was unsuccessful.

= In Opposition =

At the 2002 general election, she contested the electorate of Ohariu-Belmont, where she finished fifth behind incumbent Peter Dunne.[http://electionresults.org.nz/electionresults_2002/electorate-36.html Official Count Results – Ohariu-Belmont] With an improved list position of 9 and ACT holding its support from the previous election, Roy was elected for the first time. In her maiden speech, Roy talked of her "fervent" belief in the liberal ideals of "freedom of market, of mind, and of body".{{Cite web |last= |date=3 September 2002 |title=Heather Roy: Maiden Speech |url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0209/S00038/heather-roy-maiden-speech.htm |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=www.scoop.co.nz}} In her first term, Roy was ACT spokesperson for ACC; arts, culture and heritage; family; health; internal affairs, occupational safety and health; senior citizens; women; and youth. She was also a member of Parliament's health select committee.

For the 2005 general election, Roy was placed second on the ACT party list, ahead of its deputy leader Muriel Newman.{{Cite web |date=2023-11-08 |title=Former Treasury head No 5 on Act party list |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/former-treasury-head-no-5-on-act-party-list/OFHSGF44Y7KCXFOPKGJ3HUQHLI/ |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}}{{Cite web |last=ACT New Zealand |title=ACT releases its Party List for 2005 election |url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0506/S00247/act-releases-its-party-list-for-2005-election.htm?from-mobile=bottom-link-01 |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=www.scoop.co.nz}} Roy contested but lost Ohariu-Belmont,[http://electionresults.org.nz/electionresults_2005/electorate-36.html Official Count Results – Ohariu-Belmont] and was re-elected on the party list. ACT only secured two positions in Parliament, so Roy became the party's deputy leader, whip, and national security spokesperson. For her second term, she served on the social services committee.

In the 2008 election, she contested the electorate of {{NZ electorate link|Wellington Central}}, a seat formerly held by former ACT leader and co-founder Richard Prebble from 1996 to 1999.{{Cite web |last=ACT New Zealand |date=23 November 2008 |title=Heather Roy For Wellington Central |url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0711/S00463.htm |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=www.scoop.co.nz}} The seat had been held by Labour since 1999, although the incumbent, Marian Hobbs, was retiring. Roy finished fourth but was re-elected to Parliament on the ACT party list for the third time.{{cite web |title=Official Count Results -- Wellington Central |url=http://2008.electionresults.govt.nz/electorate-59.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211164941/http://2008.electionresults.govt.nz/electorate-59.html |archive-date=11 December 2008 |access-date=2008-12-02 |publisher=New Zealand Ministry of Justice}}

= Supporting the National-led government =

In November 2008, National Party leader John Key formed a new government with support from ACT New Zealand and other small parties. As part of the National–ACT agreement, Roy was appointed as Minister of Consumer Affairs, Associate Minister of Defence and Associate Minister of Education.{{cite news |author=Martin Kay |date=17 November 2008 |title=New groups part of deals |publisher=The Dominion Post |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/vote-08/news/721121/New-groups-part-of-deals |access-date=31 October 2021}} In the latter two roles, Roy commissioned reviews of the New Zealand Defence Force (including a study on voluntary national service){{Cite web |title=Defence Review 2009 |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/defence-review-2009 |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=The Beehive |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Appointment Of Team Leaders For Companion Studies |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/appointment-team-leaders-companion-studies |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=The Beehive |language=en}} and of special education.{{Cite web |title=Review of Special Education 2010 |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/review-special-education-2010 |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=The Beehive |language=en}} She advocated for, without success, the reversal of New Zealand's nuclear free policy.{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Jared |date=2009-09-28 |title=Heather Roy debates NZ nuclear option |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/2911297/Heather-Roy-debates-NZ-nuclear-option |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=Stuff |language=en}} She also announced reforms to independent schools, including increased government subsidies to independent schools in 2009.{{Cite web |title=Balancing Independence With Government Regulation |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/balancing-independence-government-regulation |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=The Beehive |language=en}} As Minister of Consumer Affairs, Roy launched a "consumer reform" discussion document in June 2010,{{Cite web |title=Minister Releases Consumer Law Discussion Document |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/minister-releases-consumer-law-discussion-document |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=The Beehive |language=en}} approved the creation of New Zealand's first financial sector consumer dispute resolution schemes,{{Cite web |title=First Financial Service Disputes Resolution Schemes Approved |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/first-financial-service-disputes-resolution-schemes-approved |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=The Beehive |language=en}} and established new regulations requiring water efficiency labels to be fastened to electrical appliances including washing machines, dishwashers, taps, toilets and showers.{{Cite web |title=Water Efficiency Labels Help Consumers Make Better Choices |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/water-efficiency-labels-help-consumers-make-better-choices |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=The Beehive |language=en}}

The 2008–2011 term saw dysfunction and disruption in the ACT New Zealand leadership. ACT founder Sir Roger Douglas, with Roy's support, was reported as leading unsuccessful moves to remove Epsom MP Rodney Hide as ACT leader in November 2009.{{Cite web |date=2023-11-08 |title=Leadership woes still plague Act |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/leadership-woes-still-plague-act/CDJQ6P7BSEAWXGVX54PB4OYLEI/ |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}} At the ACT party conference in March 2010, Roy used her deputy leader's speech to criticise the party's reliance on Hide and the Epsom electorate.{{Cite web |date=2023-11-08 |title=Leadership woes still plague Act |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/leadership-woes-still-plague-act/CDJQ6P7BSEAWXGVX54PB4OYLEI/ |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}}{{Cite web |date=2023-11-08 |title=John Armstrong: Roy buries hatchet - in Hide's back |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/ijohn-armstrongi-roy-buries-hatchet-in-hides-back/ZIAETXAKIIVWDAOIKRYKJPO76A/ |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}} In August 2010, Roy was removed as deputy leader and replaced by John Boscawen.{{Cite web |date=2010-08-17 |title=Heather Roy dumped as ACT deputy leader |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/345/heather-roy-dumped-as-act-deputy-leader |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz}} She was also removed as a government minister. In exit press, Roy denied being part of an attempt to replace Hide as leader.{{Cite web |last=Hartevelt |first=John |date=2010-08-18 |title=Leaked notes show ACT infighting |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/4037339/Leaked-notes-show-ACT-infighting |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=Stuff |language=en}} Less than twelve months later, in April 2011, Hide was succeeded as leader by Don Brash.{{Cite web |date=2011-04-28 |title=Hide's future with ACT in question |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/politics/hides-future-act-question |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=Otago Daily Times |language=en}}

In June 2011, Roy announced she would leave Parliament at the 2011 general election.{{cite web |author=Vance, Andrea |date=25 June 2011 |title=Roy to quit - on her own terms |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/5191845/Roy-to-quit-on-her-own-terms |access-date=2 October 2011 |work=The Dominion Post}} In her final year in office, she took charge of the Education (Freedom of Association) Amendment Bill, a private member's bill which had been in her name from 2005 to 2008 but was transferred to Sir Roger Douglas when Roy became a minister. The bill proposed to make membership of student associations and unions voluntary and faced strong opposition from student unions.{{Cite web |last=ACT New Zealand |date=1 September 2010 |title=Roy Takes Over VSM Bill |url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1009/S00018/roy-takes-over-vsm-bill.htm |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=www.scoop.co.nz}} The bill eventually passed its third reading in September 2011.{{cite news |date=29 September 2011 |title=Voluntary Student Membership Bill now law |work=Radio New Zealand News |url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/86781/voluntary-student-membership-bill-now-law |access-date=29 August 2014}}

Career after politics

Following the 2011 election, Roy was appointed non-executive board chair of the pharmaceutical lobby group, Medicines NZ.{{cite web |author=Keown, Jenny |date=26 January 2012 |title=Heather Roy from politics to big pharma |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/6313967/Heather-Roy-from-politics-to-big-pharma |access-date=20 February 2012 |work=The Dominion Post}}{{cite web |title=About Us |url=http://www.medicinesnz.co.nz/about-us/ |access-date=16 January 2013 |work=Medicines New Zealand}} She left the role in early 2018. {{cite web |title=Medicines New Zealand seeks independent chair for 2018 |url=https://www.medicinesnz.co.nz/resources/media-releases/media-releases-single/medicines-new-zealand-seeks-independent-chair-for-2018 |access-date=24 October 2023 |website=Medicines NZ|date=13 November 2017 }} For a period after leaving Parliament, Roy also resumed her role as a reserve forces field engineer{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}}.

Roy has appeared as a political commentator advocating for lowering the 5% threshold for parties to be represented in Parliament and for public opinion polls to be banned during the election voting period.{{Cite web |last=Roy |first=Heather |date=15 May 2023 |title=It's time to drop the 5% MMP threshold and let more smaller parties into Parliament |url=https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/350011039/its-time-drop-5-mmp-threshold-and-let-more-smaller-parties-parliament |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=The Post}}{{Cite web |last=Roy |first=Heather |date=30 October 2023 |title=Polls should be banned during the election voting period |url=https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/350100620/polls-should-be-banned-during-election-voting-period |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=The Post}}