Karen Chhour

{{Infobox officeholder

| honorific-prefix = The Honourable

| name = Karen Chhour

| honorific-suffix = {{post-nominals|country=NZL|MP|size=100%}}

|image = Karen Chhour 2023 (cropped).jpg

|imagesize =

|caption = Chhour in 2023

|office = 4th Minister for Children

|term_start = 27 November 2023

|term_end =

|primeminister = Christopher Luxon

|predecessor = Kelvin Davis

|successor =

|office2 = 2nd Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence

|term_start2 = 27 November 2023

|term_end2 =

|primeminister2 = Christopher Luxon

|predecessor2 = Marama Davidson

|successor2 =

|constituency_MP3 = ACT party list

|term_start3 = 17 October 2020

|parliament3 = New Zealand

|predecessor3 =

|birth_date = {{birth based on age as of date|39|2020|11|04}}{{cite web |url=https://www.renews.co.nz/meet-your-new-maori-mps/ |title=Meet your new Māori MPs |date=4 November 2020 |work=Re |first=Liam |last=Rātana}}

|birth_place = Australia

|death_date =

|death_place =

|party = ACT

|otherparty =

|religion =

|profession =

|spouse = Menglin Chhour

|children = 4

|website =

|alma_mater =

}}

Karen Louise Chhour{{Cite web|url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/document/HansS_20201125_039660000/event|title=Event – New Zealand Parliament|website=www.parliament.nz}} (born {{birth based on age as of date|39|2020|11|04|noage=1}}) is a New Zealand politician. She has been a member of parliament for ACT New Zealand since the 2020 general election.

Early life and career

Chhour is of Māori descent and belongs to the Ngāpuhi iwi.{{cite news |title=Minister Davis apologises over comments to ACT's Karen Chhour |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/475720/minister-davis-apologises-over-comments-to-act-s-karen-chhour |access-date=29 September 2022 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=29 September 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929074107/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/475720/minister-davis-apologises-over-comments-to-act-s-karen-chhour |archive-date=29 September 2022}} She was born in Australia and moved to New Zealand as a baby, first living with her grandparents in Kaeo before moving back in with her mother on the North Shore at the age of 5.{{cite web |url=https://www.newsroom.co.nz/chhour |title='I didn't think I'd survive to the age of 10' |date=9 February 2021 |work=Newsroom |first=Karen |last=Chhour}}{{cite web |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/126886428/national-portrait-act-mp-karen-chhour-from-state-child-to-member-of-parliament |title=National Portrait: ACT MP Karen Chhour, from state child to Member of Parliament |date=6 November 2021 |work=Stuff |first=Bridie |last=Witton}} She regularly ran away from home and ended up in foster care, which she states as a reason for her interest in addressing homelessness and child poverty. She worked in property management prior to becoming involved in politics.{{cite web |last1=Wade |first1=Amelia |title=Election 2020: Party of 6? Meet the Act team who could soon become MPs |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12353695 |work=The New Zealand Herald |access-date=10 August 2020 |date=5 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024152347/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/election-2020-party-of-6-meet-the-act-team-who-could-soon-become-mps/UP36LFBTB67MXD636R4U3E5FNA/|archive-date=24 October 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Election 2020: Upper Harbour candidates for local MP |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300120210/election-2020-upper-harbour-candidates-for-local-mp |work=Stuff|date=30 September 2020 |access-date=13 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201006050740/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300120210/election-2020-upper-harbour-candidates-for-local-mp|archive-date=6 October 2020|url-status=live}}

Political career

{{NZ parlbox

|term=53rd

|start={{NZ election link year|2020}}

|end=2023

|list=7

|party=ACT New Zealand

|electorate=List

}}

{{NZ parlbox

|term=54th

|start={{NZ election link year|2023}}

|end=present

|list=6

|party=ACT New Zealand

|electorate=List

}}

=First term, 2020–2023=

In the 2020 general election, Chhour was placed seventh on the ACT party list and ran for the electorate of {{NZ electorate link|Upper Harbour}}. Chhour came fourth in Upper Harbour.{{cite web |title=Upper Harbour – Official Result |url=https://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2020/electorate-details-55.html |publisher=Electoral Commission |access-date=6 November 2020 }} However, ACT won 8% of the party vote, which entitled it to 10 MPs including Chhour.{{cite web |title=2020 General Election and Referendums – Official Result |url=https://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2020/index.html |publisher=Electoral Commission |access-date=6 November 2020 }}{{cite web |title=2020 General Election and Referendums – Official Result Successful Candidates |url=https://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2020/successful-candidates.html |publisher=Electoral Commission |access-date=6 November 2020 }} In her first term, Chhour was ACT's spokesperson for social development, children, and child poverty reduction.{{cite web |title=Karen Chhour |url=https://www.act.org.nz/karen-chhour |publisher=ACT New Zealand |access-date=22 November 2020}}

In early December 2021, Chhour criticised the Labour Government's plans to introduce legislation under its Smokefree 2025 programme that would ban anyone under the age of 14 from legally purchasing tobacco for the rest of their lives. Older generations will only be permitted to buy tobacco products with very low-levels of nicotine while fewer shops will be allowed to sell tobacco products. Chhour argued that prohibition was unworkable and that the new law would create a black market for tobacco products.{{cite news |last1=Bruno |first1=Gus |title=New Zealand's government announces bold new Smokefree 2025 Action Plan to BAN young people smoking across the country |url=https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/new-zealands-government-announces-bold-new-smokefree-2025-action-plan-to-ban-young-people-smoking-across-the-country-c-4875886 |access-date=9 December 2021 |work=Seven News |publisher=Seven Network |date=9 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209015146/https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/new-zealands-government-announces-bold-new-smokefree-2025-action-plan-to-ban-young-people-smoking-across-the-country-c-4875886 |archive-date=9 December 2021|url-status=live}}

On 28 September 2022, Chhour in her capacity as ACT's children spokesperson questioned the Minister of Children Kelvin Davis about the relationship between Oranga Tamariki (the Ministry for Children) and the Māori group Te Whānau o Waipareira Trust, which was being investigated for financing Māori Party candidate John Tamihere's campaign during the 2020 New Zealand general election. In response, Davis had made a statement telling Chhour to "enter the Māori world and stop looking at the world through a "vanilla lens." Chhour, who is Māori, was offended by his remarks, stating that Davis had taken away her mana. In response, ACT Party leader David Seymour described Davis' comments as "nasty" and "totally racist."{{cite news |title=Oranga Tamariki minister challenges ACT MP to enter Māori world |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/475678/oranga-tamariki-minister-challenges-act-mp-to-enter-maori-world |access-date=29 September 2022 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=28 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928070228/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/475678/oranga-tamariki-minister-challenges-act-mp-to-enter-maori-world |archive-date=28 September 2022|url-status=live}} The following day, Davis contacted Chhour and apologised for his remarks. Chhour accepted his apology. That same week, Chhour had introduced a member's bill that proposed repealing Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989, which requires Oranga Tamariki's chief executive to recognise and commit to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.

=Second term, 2023–present=

Chhour stood for re-election at the 2023 general election. She finished fourth in the Upper Harbour electorate but was returned for a second term as a list MP.{{cite web |title=Upper Harbour - Official Result |url=https://archive.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2023/electorate-details-55.html |publisher=Electoral Commission |access-date=25 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231123104120/https://archive.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2023/electorate-details-55.html |archive-date=23 November 2023 |date=3 November 2023 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=2023 General Election - Successful Candidates |url=https://archive.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2023/successful-candidates.html |publisher=Electoral Commission |access-date=25 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231122030023/https://archive.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2023/successful-candidates.html |archive-date=22 November 2023 |date=3 November 2023 |url-status=live}}

In late November 2023, Chhour assumed the positions of Minister for Children and Minister for the prevention of Family and Sexual Violence in the Sixth National Government.{{cite news |title=Cabinet lineup for new government unveiled - who gets what? |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/503156/cabinet-lineup-for-new-government-unveiled-who-gets-what |access-date=15 December 2023 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=24 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204122806/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/503156/cabinet-lineup-for-new-government-unveiled-who-gets-what |archive-date=4 December 2023|url-status=live}}

==Section 7AA law change==

On 30 November 2023 Chhour, as Children's Minister, defended the Government's plans to repeal Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989, which requires Oranga Tamariki (Ministry for Children) to ensure that Māori babies who are uplifted from unsafe homes remain in the care of their wider family (whānau). She argued that focusing on race detracted from the ministry's primary focus of protecting "at-risk" children.{{cite news |title=New govt set to scrap parts of Oranga Tamariki reform |url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/11/30/new-govt-set-to-scrap-parts-of-oranga-tamariki-reform/ |access-date=4 December 2023 |work=1News |publisher=TVNZ |date=30 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204115202/https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/11/30/new-govt-set-to-scrap-parts-of-oranga-tamariki-reform/ |archive-date=4 December 2023}}

In mid April 2024, the Waitangi Tribunal summoned Chhour to provide evidence at an urgent inquiry into the repeal of Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. The Tribunal asked the Minister to answer several questions including how many caregivers working with the Ministry had raised concern over the impact of Section 7AA and to provide specific examples of children being placed into unsafe conditions because of Section 7AA. In response, Crown lawyers filed judicial proceedings in the High Court seeking to block the Tribunal's summons. ACT leader Seymour criticised the Waitangi Tribunal's summons, saying that "they're buying a fight with someone with much greater mana."{{cite news |title=Crown lawyers attempt to block Waitangi Tribunal summons to Minister for Children |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/514638/crown-lawyers-attempt-to-block-waitangi-tribunal-summons-to-minister-for-children |access-date=21 April 2024 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=18 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419040722/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/514638/crown-lawyers-attempt-to-block-waitangi-tribunal-summons-to-minister-for-children |archive-date=19 April 2024}} On 24 April, the High Court overturned the Waitangi Tribunal's subpoena to Chhour. In response, Treaty rights activist and lawyer Annette Sykes announced that she would appeal the High Court's decision. Crown Law has indicated Chhour plans to introduce her bill to repeal Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act in mid-May. Once Parliament has the bill, the Tribunal must cease its investigation into the issue.{{cite news |last1=McConnell |first1=Glenn |title=Legal fight to summons children's minister will continue, with appeal lodged |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/350257434/legal-fight-summons-childrens-minister-will-continue-appeal-lodged |access-date=29 April 2024 |work=Stuff |date=25 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425111853/https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/350257434/legal-fight-summons-childrens-minister-will-continue-appeal-lodged |archive-date=25 April 2024|url-status=live}} On 29 April, the Tribunal released an interim report claiming that the proposed repeal of Section 7AA would harm vulnerable children. The Tribunal is expected to release its report by 12 May 2024.{{cite news |last1=Hurihanganui |first1=Te Aniwa |title=Waitangi Tribunal releases scathing interim report on Govt proposal |url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/04/29/waitangi-tribunal-releases-scathing-interim-report-on-govt-proposal/ |access-date=29 April 2024 |work=1News |publisher=TVNZ |date=25 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429110327/https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/04/29/waitangi-tribunal-releases-scathing-interim-report-on-govt-proposal/|archive-date=29 April 2024|url-status=live}}

On 13 May 2024, the New Zealand Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the Waitangi Tribunal and overturned the High Court ruling against Chhour's summons. That same day, the Government's Oranga Tamariki (Repeal of Section 7AA) Amendment Bill was introduced into Parliament.{{cite news |last1=Hurihanganui |first1=Te Aniwa |title=Court of Appeal rules in favour of Waitangi Tribunal summons |url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/05/13/court-of-appeal-rules-in-favour-of-waitangi-tribunal-summons/ |access-date=13 May 2024 |work=1News |date=13 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240513065712/https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/05/13/court-of-appeal-rules-in-favour-of-waitangi-tribunal-summons/ |archive-date=13 May 2024|url-status=live}} On 3 April 2025, the Government's legislation repealing Section 7AA passed its third reading with the support of the governing coalition parties, becoming law. Chhour said she was proud to lead the bill into the final stage in the House and welcomed its repeal, saying that Section 7AA was "well-intended but it resulted in children being put second."{{cite news |last1=Hanly |first1=Lillian |title=Bill unbinding Treaty principles, Oranga Tamariki passes final reading |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/557101/bill-unbinding-treaty-principles-oranga-tamariki-passes-final-reading |access-date=4 April 2025 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=3 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250404014602/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/557101/bill-unbinding-treaty-principles-oranga-tamariki-passes-final-reading |archive-date=4 April 2025}}

==Youth justice==

In early March 2024 Chhour announced that Government would be launching a pilot military-style academy for serious youth offenders in mid 2024. The pilot boot camp would be run by Oranga Tamariki and have a rehabilitative and trauma-informed care approach as well as a military component.{{cite news |title='Military academy' for youth offenders to be trialled from mid-2024 |url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/03/05/military-academy-for-youth-offenders-to-be-trialled-from-mid-2024/ |access-date=6 March 2024 |work=1News |publisher=TVNZ |date=5 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305041217/https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/03/05/military-academy-for-youth-offenders-to-be-trialled-from-mid-2024/ |archive-date=5 March 2024|url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Government confirms plans for youth boot camps |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2024/03/government-confirms-plans-for-youth-boot-camps.html |access-date=6 March 2024 |work=Newshub |date=5 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305003354/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2024/03/government-confirms-plans-for-youth-boot-camps.html |archive-date=5 March 2024|url-status=dead}} The Government's boot camp programme was criticised by Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson, Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, IHC director of advocacy Tania Thomas, Professor Joanna Kidman, Auckland youth development worker Aaron Hendry and human rights law firm Cooper Legal, who argued that boot camps did not address the causes of crime and would have an adverse impact on disadvantaged children and young people, particularly Māori and the intellectually disabled.{{cite news |last1=Desmarais |first1=Felix |title='Reckless, heinous and lazy': Greens on Govt's military-style bootcamps |url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/03/05/reckless-heinous-and-lazy-greens-on-govts-military-style-bootcamps/ |access-date=6 March 2024 |work=1News |date=5 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305092052/https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/03/05/reckless-heinous-and-lazy-greens-on-govts-military-style-bootcamps/ |archive-date=5 March 2024|url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Boot camps for young offenders are expensive and do not work, critics say |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/510938/boot-camps-for-young-offenders-are-expensive-and-do-not-work-critics-say |access-date=7 March 2024 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=5 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240306065034/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/510938/boot-camps-for-young-offenders-are-expensive-and-do-not-work-critics-say|archive-date=6 March 2024|url-status=live}} In response to criticism, Chhour argued that boot camps were needed to show young offenders "there were consequences for their actions but they could benefit from a chance to turn their lives around."{{cite news |title=Minister 'completely disagrees' with boot camp critics |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/510963/minister-completely-disagrees-with-boot-camp-critics |access-date=7 March 2024 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=6 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305214132/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/510963/minister-completely-disagrees-with-boot-camp-critics |archive-date=5 March 2024}} Retail NZ issued a statement expressing cautious support in light of high retail crime in New Zealand.{{cite web |author1=Retail NZ |title=Young Offender Military Academies |url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU2403/S00082/young-offender-military-academies.htm |publisher=Scoop |access-date=7 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240306135035/https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU2403/S00082/young-offender-military-academies.htm |archive-date=6 March 2024 |date=6 March 2024 |url-status=live}}

0n 23 June 2024, Chhour confirmed that the Government was working to introduce a Youth Serious Offender (YSO) declaration as part of its goal of reducing serious youth reoffending by 15 percent. The YSO declaration would give Police and youth courts greater powers including sending serious youth offenders to a military-style academy, expanded use of electronic and judicial monitoring and allowing Police to arrest youth offenders for not complying with bail conditions and other court orders. Young persons that would be covered under the Youth Serious Offender category include those aged between 14 and 17 years at the time of their offending, have had two serious offenses punishable by a ten-year prison sentence proven in court, and have been assessed as likely to reoffend or have failed to respond to intervention programs.{{cite web |title=Government takes action to address youth crime |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government-takes-action-address-youth-crime |website=Beehive.govt.nz |publisher=New Zealand Government |access-date=13 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718002140/https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government-takes-action-address-youth-crime |archive-date=18 July 2024 |date=23 June 2024 |url-status=live}}

On 20 July 2024, Chhour and Acting Prime Minister David Seymour unveiled the Government's "Military-Style Academy Pilot" for youth offenders to the media, who were given a tour of its facilities.{{cite news |title=Children's Minister unveils pilot boot camp in Palmerston North |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/522657/children-s-minister-unveils-pilot-boot-camp-in-palmerston-north |access-date=25 July 2024 |work=RNZ |date=20 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240724021108/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/522657/children-s-minister-unveils-pilot-boot-camp-in-palmerston-north |archive-date=24 July 2024}}

On 22 November 2024, Chhour announced the creation of a new Child Protection Investigation Unit, staffed by independent experts, to investigate cases of harm in state care. Janis Adair, the Chief Inspector of New Zealand's prisons, was appointed as the leader of the unit.{{cite news |title=New Child Protection Investigation Unit announced by Children's Minister |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/534536/new-child-protection-investigation-unit-announced-by-children-s-minister |access-date=1 December 2024 |work=RNZ |date=22 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241123223445/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/534536/new-child-protection-investigation-unit-announced-by-children-s-minister |archive-date=23 November 2024}} In response, the New Zealand Police expressed concern that the new investigation unit could reduce their independence while Chief Children's Commissioner Claire Achmad expressed hope that the unit could ensure better safety for children and young people in the care of Oranga Tamariki.{{cite news |title=Mixed reactions to new unit for investigating safety of children in state care |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/534662/mixed-reactions-to-new-unit-for-investigating-safety-of-children-in-state-care |access-date=1 December 2024 |work=RNZ |date=24 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241126181017/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/534662/mixed-reactions-to-new-unit-for-investigating-safety-of-children-in-state-care |archive-date=26 November 2024}}

==Parliamentary work culture==

During an interview with ThreeNews in early August 2024, Chhour said she faced bullying and an "unsafe work environment" at Parliament due to her ministerial responsibility for the Government's contentious Section 7AA repeal and boot camp policies. In May 2024, Chhour had been the target of Te Pāti Māori (TPM) social media statements attributing her alleged disconnection from Māori culture and family to her uplifting as a child and TPM MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi's remarks denouncing her as a puppet of the ACT party. Chhour and ACT whip Todd Stephenson had complained about these comments to Speaker Gerry Brownlee. Though Brownlee indicated that he would seek an apology from Kapa-Kingi, this was contradicted by Te Pāti Māori. Chhour expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of follow up to her complaint.{{cite news |last1=Lynch |first1=Jenna |title=ACT MP Karen Chhour breaks down in tears over 'unsafe workplace' |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/350362931/act-mp-karen-chhour-breaks-down-tears-over-unsafe-workplace |access-date=9 August 2024 |work=Stuff |date=1 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804144144/https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/350362931/act-mp-karen-chhour-breaks-down-tears-over-unsafe-workplace |archive-date=4 August 2024|url-status=live}} In response to the alleged bullying of Chhour, ACT leader Seymour had accused Brownlee of "greenlighting" racial harassment for not pressing TPM on apologising to Chhour and said he was beginning to lose confidence in Brownlee's role as Speaker.{{cite news |title=Act MP Karen Chhour breaks down over 'bullying behaviour' in Parliament |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/act-mp-karen-chhour-breaks-down-over-bullying-behaviour-in-parliament/4BNOYZG2V5HXTBO2QTOEOGX4D4/ |access-date=9 August 2024 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=1 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806191806/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/act-mp-karen-chhour-breaks-down-over-bullying-behaviour-in-parliament/4BNOYZG2V5HXTBO2QTOEOGX4D4/ |archive-date=6 August 2024|url-status=live}} ACT MPs had also refused to remove their party-branded lapel pins in protest of Brownlee's handling of Chhour's complaints. In response to the controversy, Labour and Green MPs Chris Hipkins, Kelvin Davis and Ricardo Menéndez March said that all MPs had the right to feel safe at Parliament but defended the right of opposition politicians to criticise Chhour's role in rolling out "controversial" and "harmful" government policies.{{cite news |last1=Palmer |first1=Russell |title=Flurry of mishaps puts spotlight on Parliament's culture |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/523882/flurry-of-mishaps-puts-spotlight-on-parliament-s-culture |access-date=9 August 2024 |work=RNZ |date=2 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804193545/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/523882/flurry-of-mishaps-puts-spotlight-on-parliament-s-culture |archive-date=4 August 2024|url-status=live}}

Personal life

Chhour lives on the North Shore. She met her husband Menglin, a Cambodian refugee, in intermediate school. They lost touch when she moved schools, but reconnected when she was 16, working at McDonald's after dropping out of high school. They have four children together.{{cite press release |title=ACT Announces List For 2020 General Election |url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA2006/S00267/act-announces-list-for-2020-general-election.htm |website=Scoop |publisher=ACT Party |access-date=13 October 2020 |date=28 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003060710/https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA2006/S00267/act-announces-list-for-2020-general-election.htm|archive-date=3 October 2020|url-status=live}}

In 2020, Chhour reconnected with her long-lost Australian father and discovered she has two sisters.