Natalia Albert
{{Short description|New Zealand political candidate}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Natalia Albert
| honorific_suffix =
| image =
| caption = Natalia Albert in 2023
| order1 = 5th Deputy Leader of The Opportunities Party
| term_start1 = 4 August 2023
| leader1 = Raf Manji
| term_end1 =
| predecessor1 = Shai Navot and Jessica Hammond
| native_name =
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| birth_place = Mexico City, Mexico
| nationality =
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| education =
| alma_mater = Victoria University of Wellington (master's degree)
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| party = The Opportunities Party (TOP)
}}
Natalia Llorente Albert{{cite thesis |url=https://figshare.com/articles/thesis/Diversifying_Leadership_within_the_New_Zealand_Public_Service_How_institutional_will_becomes_an_institutional_wall/23938233/1/files/41982969.pdf |title=Diversifying Leadership within the New Zealand Public Service:How institutional will becomes an institutional wall |first=Natalia |last=Albert |publisher=Victoria University of Wellington |date=14 August 2023 |doi=10.26686/wgtn.23938233 |access-date=4 September 2023}} is a New Zealand politician, former public servant and businesswoman who is currently serving as the Deputy Leader of The Opportunities Party (TOP).
Early life
Albert was born in Mexico City as an only child to her mother who was a Mexican diplomat. She spent most of her life travelling around the world to various different countries including Canada and the United States. Albert grew up speaking fluently in English and Spanish. Albert moved to New Zealand in 2011, to join her parents in Wellington, where they had resided.{{cite web |url=https://nzbusiness.co.nz/article/diplomat%E2%80%99s-daughter |title=The Diplomat's Daughter |work=NZ Business |first=Glenn |last=Baker |date=25 April 2016 |access-date= 4 September 2023}}
Albert had also been the director and founder of TedXWellingtonWomen which was founded in 2013 by Albert in order to promote diversity and women's rights.{{cite web|url=https://www.superdiversewomen.com/our-members/natalia-albert |title=Natalia Albert |work=Super Diverse Women NZ |access-date=4 September 2023}} She had also been the producer of an entertainment firm and served as the Chief Operating Officer of the Inspiring Stories Trust.{{cite web |url=https://ipanz.org.nz/Event?Action=View&Event_id=423 |title=IPANZ Information profile |work=IPANZ|access-date=4 September 2023}}
Political career
Although Albert had worked within Government agencies and sectors as a public servant, she first entered the political sphere in 2023, running for The Opportunities Party in Wellington Central.{{cite web|url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/06/18/wellington-central-fresh-faces-in-a-hotly-contested-race/ |title=Wellington Central: Fresh faces in a hotly-contested race |work=1 News |date=18 July 2023 |access-date=4 September 2023}}
As Wellington Central candidate, Albert had swiftly made a name for herself and quickly climbed up the ranks of The Opportunities Party, quickly reaching Number 2 on the list and being appointed as the Deputy Leader of The Opportunities Party in a candidate list announcement on 4 August 2023, by party leader Raf Manji.{{cite web |url=https://www.top.org.nz/the_opportunities_party_announces_a_fresh_team_to_bring_new_ideas_to_parliament_at_the_2023_general_election |title=TOP Candidate List |work=The Opportunities Party |date=4 August 2023 |access-date=4 September 2023}}
Albert had stated that her party's role in the 2023 general election was that of advocacy and holding some of the more mainstream New Zealand political parties to account, when it came to their engagement within ethnic as well as migrant communities.{{cite web |url=https://indiannewslink.co.nz/candidates-engage-with-ethnic-communities-in-wellington/ |title=Candidates engage with ethnic communities in Wellington |work=Indian Newslink |first=Venu |last=Menon |date=25 August 2023 |access-date=4 September 2023}}
Albert had also accounted some of the troubles and fears associated with being a woman and seeking political office in New Zealand. She stated that it was highly likely she would not door knock past 5pm and would travel with a group.{{cite web |url=https://www.thepost.co.nz/a/politics/350050105/death-threats-no-canvassing-after-dark-life-2023-election-campaign-trail |title=Death threats, no canvassing after dark: Life on the 2023 election campaign trail |work=The Post |first=Bridie |last=Witton |date=8 August 2023 |access-date=4 September 2023}}
Albert stated during the Aro Valley debate, that she was primarily seeking for the party vote, rather than the electorate vote. She made clear emphasis and spent her speaking time explaining some of the merits of "cross-party solidarity."{{cite web |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/05-09-2023/spree-waters-political-bedlam-returns-to-aro-valley |title=Free waters: Political bedlam returns to Aro Valley |work=Spinoff |date=5 September 2023 |access-date=5 September 2023}}
During the 2023 election held on 14 October, Albert came fourth place in Wellington Central with 1,554 votes.{{cite web |title=Wellington Central - Official Result |url=https://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2023/electorate-details-60.html |publisher=Electoral Commission |access-date=7 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107025912/https://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2023/electorate-details-60.html |archive-date=7 November 2023 |url-status=live}} TOP received 2.22% of the party vote, below the five percent threshold needed to enter Parliament.{{cite web |title=2023 General Election - Official Result |url=https://archive.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2023/index.html |publisher=Electoral Commission |access-date=11 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125022036/https://archive.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2023/index.html |archive-date=25 November 2023 |date=3 November 2023}}
Personal life
Albert had completed her Masters of Political Science at Victoria University of Wellington on 18 August 2023. Her thesis was regarding Diversifying leadership within the Public Service Sphere of New Zealand. She is now working towards her Doctoral Degree in political sciences, while actively campaigning for Wellington Central and The Opportunities Party.
Prior to arriving in New Zealand, Albert had held a degree in business and had managerial experience in the hotel sector.{{cite web |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/stage-and-theatre/102089763/womens-forum-to-speak-on-diversity-in-new-zealand |title=Women's forum to speak on diversity in New Zealand |work=Stuff |first=Dani |last=McDonald |date=9 March 2018 |access-date=4 September 2023}}
References
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Category:The Opportunities Party politicians
Category:Victoria University of Wellington alumni
Category:Politicians from Wellington City
Category:Unsuccessful candidates in the 2023 New Zealand general election