Louise Upston

{{Infobox officeholder

| honorific-prefix = The Honourable

| name = Louise Upston

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

| image = UPSTON, Louise - Taupo (cropped).png

| caption = Upston in 2023

| order = 28th Minister for Social Development and Employment

| primeminister = Christopher Luxon

| term_start = 27 November 2023

| term_end =

| predecessor = Carmel Sepuloni

| successor =

| order1 = 40th Minister for Tourism and Hospitality

| term_start1 = 24 January 2025

| term_end1 =

| primeminister1 = Christopher Luxon

| predecessor1 = Matt Doocey

| successor1 =

| order2 = 13th Minister of Corrections

| term_start2 = 20 December 2016

| term_end2 = 26 October 2017

| primeminister2 = Bill English

| predecessor2 = Judith Collins

| successor2 = Kelvin Davis

| order3 = 14th Minister for Land Information

| term_start3 = 6 October 2014

| term_end3 = 20 December 2016

| primeminister3 = John Key
Bill English

| predecessor3 = Michael Woodhouse

| successor3 = Mark Mitchell

| order6 = 13th Minister for Women

| term_start6 = 8 October 2014

| term_end6 = 20 December 2016

| primeminister6 = John Key
Bill English

| predecessor6 = Jo Goodhew

| successor6 = Paula Bennett

| order7 = Senior Government Whip

| primeminister7 = John Key

| term_start7 = 29 January 2013

| term_end7 = 7 October 2014

| predecessor7 = Michael Woodhouse

| successor7 = Tim Macindoe

| constituency_MP9 = Taupō

| parliament9 = New Zealand

| majority9 =

| predecessor9 = Mark Burton

| successor9 =

| term_start9 = 8 November 2008

| term_end9 =

| birth_name = Louise Claire McGill

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1971|3|14|df=yes}}{{cite web |last1=Upston |first1=Louise |title=Video Update – 15 March 2011 |url= http://www.louiseupston.co.nz/index.php?/archives/147-Video-Update-15-March-2011.html |publisher=louiseupston.co.nz |access-date=10 October 2014}}

| birth_place = North Shore, New Zealand

| spouse =

| party = National

| relations =

| children = 3

| residence =

| alma_mater =

| occupation =

| profession =

| religion =

| signature =

| website = {{url|http://www.louiseupston.co.nz/}}

| footnotes =

}}

Louise Claire Upston {{post-nominals|country=NZL|MP}} (née McGill, born 14 March 1971) is a New Zealand politician. She was elected as a Member of the New Zealand House of Representatives for Taupō, representing the National Party, in the 2008 general election.

She was Minister for Women and Minister of Corrections in the Fifth National Government. She currently serves as the Minister for Social Development and Employment.

Early life

Louise McGill was born in North Shore to parents Ian and Norma McGill. The youngest of four children, she grew up in East Coast Bays.{{cite news |date=17 December 2008 |title=Louise Upston's maiden speech |work=Waikato Times |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/archived-sections/vote-08/waikato-mps-maiden-speeches-29282/765695/Louise-Upstons-maiden-speech |access-date=10 October 2014}} She attended Rangitoto College, from which she graduated in 1988, and where she was friends with Amy Adams.{{cite news |last1=Vance |first1=Andrea |title=Amy not afraid to speak her mind |url= http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/7323958/Amy-not-afraid-to-speak-her-mind |access-date=10 October 2014 |work=Sunday Star-Times |date=22 July 2012}} Since before the age of ten, she had wanted to become a member of parliament and intended to become a lawyer to further her political ambitions.{{cite news |url= http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10537297 |title=National's big push paints Rotorua blue |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=14 October 2008 |first=Martha |last=McKenzie-Minifie |access-date=10 October 2014}}{{Cite web |last=Lang |first=Sarah |date=14 August 2015 |title=Politically correct |url=https://www.nowtolove.co.nz/celebrity/celeb-news/politically-correct-3230 |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=Now To Love |language=en}}

McGill began law school but did not achieve the minimum grades to enter the second year. When her mother died, she dropped out of university at the age of 19 and instead founded a management consultancy firm, McGill Manning. The firm provided event and project management services and its clients included Air New Zealand, Russell McVeagh, and Datacom Group. She then studied at the Waikato Management School and graduated with a Master of Business Administration.{{cite web |title=Louise Upston (MBA) |url= http://cms.mngt.waikato.ac.nz/departments/execed/Alumni/Welcome.aspx |publisher=University of Waikato |access-date=10 October 2014}}

In the 1990s, McGill became a single mother to her first child. She later described this experience as "the hardest time of my life."{{Cite web |last=McCallum |first=Hanna |date=2023-05-02 |title='Bloody hard': Tears shed as landmark report reveals stark reality of being a single parent |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/131918247/bloody-hard-tears-shed-as-landmark-report-reveals-stark-reality-of-being-a-single-parent |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=Stuff |language=en}} She later married Craig Upston, with whom she had two more children. They separated in 2012. As of 2015, she had a new partner called Hamish. Upston lives in Karapiro.{{cite web |title=Hon Louise Upston |url=https://www.national.org.nz/team/mps/detail/louise.upston |publisher=New Zealand National Party |access-date=10 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016140405/https://www.national.org.nz/team/mps/detail/louise.upston |archive-date=16 October 2014 |url-status=dead }}

Member of Parliament

{{NZ parlbox

|start= {{NZ election link year|2008}}

|end=2011

|term=49th

|electorate=Taupō

|list=53

|party=New Zealand National Party

}}

{{NZ parlbox

|start= {{NZ election link year|2011}}

|end=2014

|term=50th

|electorate=Taupō

|list=44

|party=New Zealand National Party

}}

{{NZ parlbox

|start= {{NZ election link year|2014}}

|end=2017

|term=51st

|electorate=Taupō

|list=27

|party=New Zealand National Party

}}

{{NZ parlbox

|start= {{NZ election link year|2017}}

|end=2020

|term=52nd

|electorate=Taupō

|list=19

|party=New Zealand National Party

}}

{{NZ parlbox

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

|end=2023

|term=53rd

|electorate=Taupō

|list=9

|party=New Zealand National Party

}}

{{NZ parlbox

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

|end=present

|term=54th

|electorate=Taupō

|list=6

|party=New Zealand National Party

}}

=Early years, 2008–2014=

Upston unsuccessfully sought a National Party candidacy in 2005. She was selected as the party's {{NZ electorate link|Taupō}} electorate candidate in 2008 where she unseated Mark Burton, a Labour cabinet minister who had represented the area for 15 years.{{cite news |date=10 November 2008 |title=MP keen to get cracking |work=Waikato Times |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/712065/MP-keen-to-get-cracking |access-date=10 October 2014}}{{cite web |date=22 November 2008 |title=Official Count Results – Taupō |url=http://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2008/electorate-50.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200120204021/https://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2008/electorate-50.html |archive-date=20 January 2020 |access-date=10 October 2014 |publisher=Chief Electoral Office}}

Upston entered parliament at the beginning of the Fifth National Government. In her first term, Upston was appointed to the local government and environment committee, the government administration committee, and the education and science committee.{{Cite web |title=Upston, Louise - New Zealand Parliament |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/mps-and-electorates/members-of-parliament/upston-louise/ |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=www.parliament.nz |language=en}} She gave her maiden speech on 16 December 2008, where she stated her priorities were education and "making New Zealand safe again."{{Cite web |title=Maiden Statements - New Zealand Parliament |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/document/49HansD_20081217_00001100/maiden-statements |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=www.parliament.nz |language=en}} She received attention in the media for her comments on harsher sentences and sloganised approach to crime: "The police are good. The criminals are bad. It's that simple."{{cite news |url= http://www.stuff.co.nz/4796247a6160.html |title=Support the police, says Taupo's new MP |date=17 December 2008 |work=Stuff |agency=New Zealand Press Association |access-date=15 October 2011}} Eventually she would soften her views and state her support for investments in prisoner rehabilitation.{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Nicholas |date=20 December 2016 |title=Corrections Minister: my views have changed |work=The New Zealand Herald |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/corrections-minister-my-views-have-changed/LQ6HXRR4MOB6PRFTDCJPWGJT74/ |url-status=live |access-date=3 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103101529/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/corrections-minister-my-views-have-changed/LQ6HXRR4MOB6PRFTDCJPWGJT74/ |archive-date=3 November 2020}}

During the 2011 New Zealand general election, Upston retained Taupō by a margin of 14,115 votes, defeating Labour candidate Frances Campbell.{{cite web |date=10 December 2011 |title=Official Count Results – Taupō |url=http://electionresults.org.nz/electionresults_2011/electorate-50.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200123125713/https://electionresults.org.nz/electionresults_2011/electorate-50.html |archive-date=23 January 2020 |access-date=10 October 2014 |publisher=Electoral Commission}}

In her second term, Upston was appointed the government's junior whip.{{cite news| url= http://www.rotoruadailypost.co.nz/news/upston-appointed-junior-whip/1215955/ |title=Louise Upston appointed junior whip |date=21 December 2011 |first=Rebecca |last=Malcolm |work=The Daily Post |access-date=10 October 2014}} Following the February 2013 Cabinet reshuffle, she became chief whip.{{Cite web |date=2013-01-29 |title=National names three new party whips |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/126733/national-names-three-new-party-whips |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz}} She was also a member of the Māori affairs committee and the local government and environment committee.

= Minister in Fifth National Government, 2014–2017 =

During the 2014 New Zealand general election, Upston retained Taupō by a margin of 15,406 votes, defeating Labour candidate Jamie Strange.{{cite web |date=10 October 2014 |title=Official Count Results – Taupō |url=http://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2014/electorate-51.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200122143908/https://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2014/electorate-51.html |archive-date=22 January 2020 |access-date=10 October 2014 |publisher=Electoral Commission}} Upston was promoted into the executive after the 2014 election, as minister outside of Cabinet. She was Minister for Land Information, Minister for Women, Associate Minister for Local Government, and Associate Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment from October 2014 until December 2016. At the same time, she was a member of the justice and electoral select committee.

As Minister for Women, Upston addressed the 59th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women on 11 March 2015. She used the speech to set out her goals in the portfolio, including supporting women in the workplace and preventing violence against women.{{Cite web |title=National Statement – 59th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/national-statement-%E2%80%93-59th-session-united-nations-commission-status-women |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=The Beehive |language=en}} The following month, she attracted criticism for refusing to comment on women's rights in the workplace after it was revealed Prime Minister John Key was forced to apologise to a Parnell cafe worker for repeatedly pulling her hair.{{Cite news |last=Kirk |first=Stacey |date=24 April 2015 |title=Female ministers close ranks around ponytail-pulling Prime Minister |work=Stuff |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/68007208/female-ministers-close-ranks-around-ponytailpulling-prime-minister |access-date=9 May 2016}} She attracted further scrutiny in the portfolio for rejecting calls to remove GST on menstrual products and for refusing to comment on an incident involving the mistreatment of a stripper by Chiefs ruby players.{{cite news |date=18 December 2016 |title=Heavily criticised Louise Upston loses women's affairs portfolio to new minister Paula Bennett |work=1News |url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/heavily-criticised-louise-upston-loses-womens-affairs-portfolio-new-minister-paula-bennett |access-date=3 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009004033/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/heavily-criticised-louise-upston-loses-womens-affairs-portfolio-new-minister-paula-bennett |archive-date=9 October 2020}}

As Minister for Land Information, Upston oversaw the correction of several Māori placenames, including Whanganui and Waiotahe.{{Cite web |title=Bay of Plenty place names corrected |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/bay-plenty-place-names-corrected |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=The Beehive |language=en}}{{Cite web |title='H' to be added to Wanganui District name |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/%E2%80%98h%E2%80%99-be-added-wanganui-district-name |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=The Beehive |language=en}} She also introduced replacement legislation for the Land Transfer Act 1952.{{Cite web |title=Land Transfer Bill passes first reading |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/land-transfer-bill-passes-first-reading |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=The Beehive |language=en}} In the local government portfolio, she oversaw but later postponed a trial of online voting in the 2016 local elections.{{Cite web |title=Work to continue on trialling online voting |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/work-continue-trialling-online-voting |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=The Beehive |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Online voting trial requirements set |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/online-voting-trial-requirements-set |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=The Beehive |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Further work before online voting proceeds |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/further-work-online-voting-proceeds |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=The Beehive |language=en}} She was also involved in governance reviews and the appointment of commissioners at Kaipara District Council {{Cite web |title=Kaipara District Council Commissioners reappointed |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/kaipara-district-council-commissioners-reappointed |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=The Beehive |language=en}} and Canterbury Regional Council.{{Cite web |title=Timeline set for ECAN review |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/timeline-set-ecan-review |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=The Beehive |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Environment Canterbury transition plan announced |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/environment-canterbury-transition-plan-announced |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=The Beehive |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=ECan Bill ensures smooth transition for Canterbury |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/ecan-bill-ensures-smooth-transition-canterbury |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=The Beehive |language=en}} In the tertiary education, skills and employment portfolio, she had responsibility for industry training, private training establishments, and adult and community education.{{Cite web |date=2015-01-13 |title=Schedule of Responsibilities Delegated to Associate Ministers {{!}} DPMC |url=http://www.dpmc.govt.nz/cabinet/ministers/delegated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113114850/http://www.dpmc.govt.nz/cabinet/ministers/delegated |archive-date=2015-01-13 |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=Department for the Prime Minister and Cabinet}}

Upston was promoted into Cabinet by new prime minister Bill English in December 2016. She became Minister of Corrections and an associate minister for primary industries (with responsibility for forestry),{{Cite web |date=2017-04-08 |title=Schedule of Responsibilities Delegated to Associate Ministers {{!}} DPMC |url=http://www.dpmc.govt.nz/cabinet/ministers/delegated |access-date=2023-11-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170408175800/http://www.dpmc.govt.nz/cabinet/ministers/delegated |archive-date=8 April 2017 }} education, and tertiary education, skills and employment.{{Cite web |date=2023-11-24 |title=Bridges and Adams on the rise in Cabinet |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/bill-english-reveals-his-reshuffled-cabinet-in-wellington/HZS43Q7UGQEKKHGWR34APXPZZU/ |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}} She held these positions until the government changed in October 2017. As corrections minister, Upston announced that all corrections officers would be required to carry pepper spray, launched mental health pilot programmes for prisoners,{{Cite web |title=New Corrections mental health initiatives begin |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new-corrections-mental-health-initiatives-begin |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=The Beehive |language=en}} and launched a new strategy to manage women offenders.{{Cite web |title=New strategy for managing women offenders |url=http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new-strategy-managing-women-offenders |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=The Beehive |language=en}}

=Opposition years, 2017–2023=

National lost the 2017 and 2020 elections. Upston became a senior member in the successive National shadow cabinets, serving as social development spokesperson under each of Bill English, Simon Bridges, Todd Muller, Judith Collins, and Christopher Luxon, and sitting on the social services and community committee. She was also spokesperson for land information, social investment and whānau ora (2020–2021), employment (2020–2023), regional economic development (2021), child poverty reduction (2021–2023), and family violence prevention (2023). During the 2017 New Zealand general election, Upston retained Taupō by a margin of 14,335 votes, defeating Labour candidate Ala' Al-Bustanji.{{cite web |title=Taupō – Official Result |url=https://archive.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2017/electorate-details-51.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200117212859/http://archive.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2017/electorate-details-51.html |archive-date=17 January 2020 |access-date=3 November 2020 |publisher=Electoral Commission}}

In April 2019, Upston's private member's bill, the Rights for Victims of Insane Offenders Bill, was drawn from the ballot and introduced to Parliament. Upston began working on the bill in 2010 after being contacted by a constituent whose brother was murdered and whose killer was found not guilty by reason of insanity.{{Cite web |date=2021-12-09 |title=Lento, presto, repeat: Louise Upston's member's bill |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/the-house/audio/2018823912/lento-presto-repeat-louise-upston-s-member-s-bill |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz}}{{Cite web |date=2023-11-24 |title=Loophole on mental offender release recognised |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/graeme-moyle-wants-victims-and-families-notified-when-an-insane-offender-is-released/LGMNZYZA7NCCEAMQHNECPTOJNQ/ |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}} The bill proposed that, even if they unable to be found guilty of a crime, the court may find an offender has been proven to have acted grievously.{{Cite web |title=Rights for Victims of Insane Offenders Bill |url=https://bills.parliament.nz/v/6/837e6ad9-3534-4af4-b1dc-8fb97fc12555?Tab=hansard |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=New Zealand Parliament |language=en}} Although the bill received unanimous support from all parties, it was sent back to the justice committee for further consideration after the Chief Justice raised concerns. The concerns were ultimately addressed and the bill passed unanimously in December 2021.

During the 2020 New Zealand general election, Upston retained Taupō by a margin of 5,119 votes, defeating Labour candidate Ala' Al-Bustanji.{{cite web |title=Taupō – Official Result |url=https://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2020/electorate-details-51.html |access-date=13 November 2020 |publisher=Electoral Commission}}

As social development spokesperson, Upston promoted National's policy of harsher penalties for unemployed people on the jobseeker benefit including a mandatory reapplications every six months, increased use of stand-downs from receiving welfare, and greater direct management of beneficiaries' incomes by the Ministry of Social Development.{{Cite web |date=26 September 2023 |title=National plans crackdown on people on benefits |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/national-plans-crackdown-people-benefits |access-date=14 November 2023 |website=Otago Daily Times |language=en}} She claimed that the 2019 report of the Labour Government's Welfare Expert Advisory Group (WEAG) provided evidence that supported sanctions as being "effective in encouraging movement from benefits to work;" this was rejected by WEAG.{{Cite web |date=27 September 2023 |title=Welfare experts group members criticise National's beneficiary policy |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/election-2023/498834/welfare-experts-group-members-criticise-national-s-beneficiary-policy |access-date=24 November 2023 |work=Radio New Zealand |language=en-nz}}

= Minister in Sixth National Government, 2023–present =

During the 2023 election, Upston retained the Taupō electorate by a margin of 16,505 votes.{{cite web |title=Taupō - Official Result |url=https://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2023/electorate-details-51.html |publisher=Electoral Commission |access-date=16 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210215712/https://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2023/electorate-details-51.html |archive-date=10 December 2023 |date=3 November 2023 |url-status=live}}

In late November 2023, Upston was appointed as Minister of Social Development and Employment, Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, and Minister for Child Poverty Reduction.{{cite news |last1=Palmer |first1=Russell |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=16 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}}

In mid February 2024, Upston as Social Development Minister announced that the Government would ramp up benefit sanctions from June 2024 including "work check-ins" for jobseekers who have been on a benefit for at least six months. These check-ins would not apply to those on a sole parent or supported living benefits.{{cite news |title=Benefit sanctions to ramp up with 'work check-ins' – Minister Louise Upston |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/509590/benefit-sanctions-to-ramp-up-with-work-check-ins-minister-louise-upston |access-date=20 February 2024 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=19 February 2024 |language=en-nz|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220204922/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/509590/benefit-sanctions-to-ramp-up-with-work-check-ins-minister-louise-upston|archive-date=20 February 2024|url-status=live}} Following a Child Poverty Action Group report about high schoolers working long part-time jobs that affected their schooling, Upston attributed the problem to the high cost of living. While ruling out minimum wage increases and student allowances for high schoolers, Upston advocated tax cuts, rebates and helping their parents find work as a means of improving school attendance and educational performance.{{cite news |title=Fixing cost-of-living crisis will help children out of poverty - Minister Louise Upston |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/509295/fixing-cost-of-living-crisis-will-help-children-out-of-poverty-minister-louise-upston |access-date=22 February 2024 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=15 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240215082253/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/509295/fixing-cost-of-living-crisis-will-help-children-out-of-poverty-minister-louise-upston |archive-date=15 February 2024|url-status=live}}

In early April 2024, Upston confirmed that the Government and the University of Auckland were exploring options to continue funding the Growing Up in New Zealand longitudinal study.{{cite news |last1=Gerritsen |first1=John |title=Government funding ends for 15-year long Growing Up in New Zealand project |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/513461/government-funding-ends-for-15-year-long-growing-up-in-new-zealand-project |access-date=10 April 2024 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=5 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240407041819/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/513461/government-funding-ends-for-15-year-long-growing-up-in-new-zealand-project |archive-date=7 April 2024|url-status=live}} In mid-September 2024, Upston confirmed that the Government would be investing NZ$16.8 million into the longitudinal study over the next four years.{{cite web |last1=Upston |first1=Louise |title=More funding for Growing Up in New Zealand study |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/more-funding-growing-new-zealand-study |website=Beehive.govt.nz |publisher=New Zealand Government |access-date=27 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240926005234/https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/more-funding-growing-new-zealand-study |archive-date=26 September 2024 |date=26 September 2024 |url-status=live}}

On 24 April, Upston assumed Penny Simmonds' Disability Issues portfolio following a cabinet reshuffle. The Ministry for Disabled People falls under the oversight of the Ministry of Social Development, which Upston heads.{{cite news |title=Media Minister Melissa Lee demoted from Cabinet, Penny Simmonds stripped of portfolio |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/515100/media-minister-melissa-lee-demoted-from-cabinet-penny-simmonds-stripped-of-portfolio |access-date=24 April 2024 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=24 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424032409/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/515100/media-minister-melissa-lee-demoted-from-cabinet-penny-simmonds-stripped-of-portfolio |archive-date=24 April 2024|url-status=live}}

On 24 July, Upston's absence from a Parliamentary sitting led to the withdrawal of the Government's Regulatory Systems (Social Security) Amendment Bill. The Bill was scheduled to have its first debate that morning. Assistant Speaker Maureen Pugh withdrew the bill after Melissa Lee, who was the duty minister in the House of Representatives, declined to speak and motion that the bill be read for the first time. Following the incident, Upston confirmed that the Regulatory Systems (Social Security) Amendment Bill would be taken back to the Business select committee and reintroduced at a later stage.{{cite news |last1=Coughlan |first1=Thomas |title=Bill dumped after chaos in Parliament sees Government caught without minister |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/bill-dumped-after-chaos-in-parliament-sees-government-caught-without-minister/SNPYPJYYAZATBLPHHGERROTXWM/ |access-date=1 August 2024 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=24 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240729075321/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/bill-dumped-after-chaos-in-parliament-sees-government-caught-without-minister/SNPYPJYYAZATBLPHHGERROTXWM/ |archive-date=29 July 2024|url-status=live}}

On 12 August 2024, Upston confirmed the introduction of a traffic light system for the Jobseeker Support benefit, effective immediately, with legislation to expand the system to be introduced in November and expected to come into force in early 2025. Key changes have included extending the benefit sanctions period from one year to two years, requiring Jobseeker beneficiaries to apply every six months, requiring beneficiaries with work obligations to create a jobseeker profile, creating a special payment card for accessing a limited ranges of products and services and new community work sanctions. Upston also promised that the rule of preventing sanctions from cutting benefit pay by more than 50 per cent of job seekers who had children would remain in place.{{cite news |title=Watch: Government further increases sanctions for beneficiaries |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/524919/watch-government-further-increases-sanctions-for-beneficiaries |access-date=13 August 2024 |date=12 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240814211327/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/524919/watch-government-further-increases-sanctions-for-beneficiaries|archive-date=14 August 2024|url-status=live}}

On 15 August, Upston announced that Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People would be restructured as a policy and advisory department and that its support service delivery functions would be assumed by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD).{{cite news |last1=Palmer |first1=Russell |title=Watch: Disability services to shift from Whaikaha to MSD after budget |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/525212/watch-disability-services-to-shift-from-whaikaha-to-msd-after-budget |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=RNZ |date=15 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240815101959/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/525212/watch-disability-services-to-shift-from-whaikaha-to-msd-after-budget |archive-date=15 August 2024|url-status=live}} Disabled Persons Assembly chief executive and former Green Party MP Mojo Mathers, disability advocate Blake Forbes-Gentle, CCS Disability Action national policy analyst Phoebe Eden-Mann and Green Party disability spokesperson Kahurangi Carter criticised the government decision, saying that it would adversely affect the ability of disabled people to access support services due to MSD's poor track record of serving the disabled community.{{cite news |last1=Desmarais |first1=Felix |title=Disability community 'shell-shocked' by ministry changes |url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/08/15/disability-community-shell-shocked-by-ministry-changes/ |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=1News |date=15 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240815143936/https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/08/15/disability-community-shell-shocked-by-ministry-changes/ |archive-date=15 August 2024}}

On 29 August, Upston announced that the Government would raise fines for people illegally parking in disabled car parks from NZ$150 to NZ$750 effective 1 October 2024.{{cite news |last1=Ensor |first1=Jamie |title=Disability parking fines: Government to ‘get tough’ on rule-breakers, hikes fine by 400% |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/disability-parking-fines-government-to-get-tough-on-rule-breakers-hikes-fine-by-400/YCMMPJIS4ZBXNNLRGTDKBWGF7Q/ |access-date=1 September 2024 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=29 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240830170055/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/disability-parking-fines-government-to-get-tough-on-rule-breakers-hikes-fine-by-400/YCMMPJIS4ZBXNNLRGTDKBWGF7Q/ |archive-date=30 August 2024|url-status=live}}

During a cabinet reshuffle on 19 January 2025, Upston assumed the tourism and hospitality ministerial portfolio.{{cite news |title=As it happened: Luxon announces Cabinet reshuffle, Shane Reti loses health portfolio to Simeon Brown |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/539370/as-it-happened-luxon-announces-cabinet-reshuffle-shane-reti-loses-health-portfolio-to-simeon-brown |access-date=21 January 2025 |work=RNZ |date=19 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250119031900/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/539370/as-it-happened-luxon-announces-cabinet-reshuffle-shane-reti-loses-health-portfolio-to-simeon-brown |archive-date=19 January 2025}} On 14 April, Upston announced that the New Zealand Government would invest NZ$13.5 million in state tourism agency Tourism New Zealand to boost international tourism.{{cite news |title=Government invests $13.5m to 'turbocharge' tourism marketing |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/558139/government-invests-13-point-5m-to-turbocharge-tourism-marketing |access-date=15 April 2025 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=14 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250415100118/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/558139/government-invests-13-point-5m-to-turbocharge-tourism-marketing |archive-date=15 April 2025}}

On 7 May, Upston and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced that the Government would end the requirement for overseas visitors to provide certified translations of supporting documents in a bid to boost tourism.{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Laura |title=Trenz Rotorua 2025: Barrier removed for overseas visitors as Government targets tourism growth |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/barrier-removed-for-overseas-visitors-as-government-targets-tourism-growth/OMRRCNZWS5F7ZBWRDHEQHRFUJI/ |access-date=8 May 2025 |work=Rotorua Daily Post |publisher=The New Zealand Herald |date=7 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250507025055/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/barrier-removed-for-overseas-visitors-as-government-targets-tourism-growth/OMRRCNZWS5F7ZBWRDHEQHRFUJI/ |archive-date=7 May 2025 |url-status=live}}

Political and social views

Upston has a conservative voting record on conscience issues. In 2012, she voted to raise the purchase age of alcohol to 20.{{cite news |last1=Hartevelt |first1=John |title=No age rise for alcohol sales |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/7579040/No-age-rise-for-alcohol-sales |access-date=3 November 2020 |work=Stuff |date=30 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190915074521/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/7579040/No-age-rise-for-alcohol-sales |archive-date=15 September 2019|url-status=live}} She voted against the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill in 2013.{{cite news| url= http://www.stuff.co.nz/data/8564068/Marriage-equality-bill-How-MPs-voted |title=Marriage equality bill – How MPs voted |date=17 April 2013 |first1=Harkanwal |last1=Singh |first2=Andy |last2=Ball |work=Stuff |access-date=10 October 2014}} She voted against the Abortion Legislation Bill in 2019 and 2020.{{Cite web |date=2023-11-24 |title=MPs open up, fight back tears during abortion debate |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/mps-open-up-fight-back-tears-during-abortion-legislation-bill-in-parliament/A2GKJEBNJANE5JJ7FGIKLOJJLE/ |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}} She voted against the End of Life Choice Bill in 2017 and 2019, including voting against a proposal to hold a referendum on the issue.{{Cite web |date=2023-11-24 |title=MPs open up, fight back tears during abortion debate |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/mps-open-up-fight-back-tears-during-abortion-legislation-bill-in-parliament/A2GKJEBNJANE5JJ7FGIKLOJJLE/ |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}} She was one of only seven MPs to vote against the second reading of the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Act 2022, but voting in favour of it at its third and final reading.{{cite news |last1=Whyte |first1=Anna |date=9 February 2022 |title=Bill to ban conversion practices passes second hurdle |work=1News |url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/02/08/bill-to-ban-conversion-practices-passes-second-hurdle/ |url-status=live |access-date=21 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220212141659/https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/02/08/bill-to-ban-conversion-practices-passes-second-hurdle/ |archive-date=12 February 2022}}{{Cite news |date=15 February 2022 |title=Politicians react as bill to ban conversion therapy passes |language=en-nz |work=Radio New Zealand |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/461599/politicians-react-as-bill-to-ban-conversion-therapy-passes |url-status=live |access-date=17 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218050733/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/461599/politicians-react-as-bill-to-ban-conversion-therapy-passes |archive-date=18 February 2022}} After that vote, she described herself as a "proud supporter of the LGBTQI+ community."{{Cite web |date=21 February 2022 |title=Media Statement - Louise Upston MP: Conversion Practices Prohibition Bill |url=https://louiseupston.national.org.nz/louise_upston_mp_conversion_practices_prohibition_bill |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124050632/https://louiseupston.national.org.nz/louise_upston_mp_conversion_practices_prohibition_bill |archive-date=24 November 2023 |access-date=24 November 2023 |website=National Party |language=en}}

In November 2014, Upston stated she is not a feminist when she sang praises of beauty pageants.{{Cite news|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/63676478/beauty-pageants-great-for-women-minister|title=Beauty pageants great for women – minister|date=30 November 2014 |first=Andrea |last=O'Neil |work=Sunday Star-Times|access-date=12 September 2016}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/opinion/63768030/is-the-pope-a-catholic|title=Is the Pope a Catholic?|date=3 December 2014 |first=Michele |last=A'Court |work=The Press|access-date=9 May 2016}}