Shai Navot
{{Short description|New Zealand lawyer and politician}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Shai Navot
| honorific_suffix =
| image = Shai Navot photo.jpg
| caption = Navot in 2020
| order1 = 3rd Leader of The Opportunities Party
| term_start1 = 3 November 2020
| term_end1 = 27 January 2022
| predecessor1 = Geoff Simmons
| successor1 = Raf Manji
| order2 = 3rd Co-Deputy Leader of The Opportunities Party
| term_start2 = 3 March 2023
| term_end2 = 4 August 2023
| successor2 = Natalia Albert
| leader2 = Raf Manji
| term_start3 = 30 April 2020
| term_end3 = 3 November 2020
| leader3 = Geoff Simmons
| predecessor3 = Teresa Moore
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| birth_date = {{birth based on age as of date|34|2020}}{{cite web |title=Compare the candidates for Ōhāriu —NZ Election 2020 |url=https://policy.nz/candidates/G30#Shai-Navot |website=Policy NZ |access-date=19 March 2021}}
| birth_place =
| nationality =
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| education =
| alma_mater = University of Auckland
| occupation =
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| party = The Opportunities Party
}}
Shai Navot is a New Zealand lawyer,{{cite news |title=The Power Lawyers Who Could Rule: The 42 Lawyers Seeking A Seat in Parliament for the 2020 Election |url=https://www.lawfuel.com/blog/the-power-lawyers-who-could-rule-the-lawyers-seeking-a-seat-in-parliament/ |access-date=17 March 2021 |publisher=Lawfuel}}{{cite news |title=Election 2020: National MP Simon Watts replaces Maggie Barry in North Shore |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300131311/election-2020-national-mp-simon-watts-replaces-maggie-barry-in-north-shore |access-date=17 March 2021 |publisher=Stuff |date=17 October 2020}} former crown prosecutor,{{cite news |last1=Hurley |first1=Sam |title=Kiwi paedophiles: Sex offender confesses to paying $80 to abuse boy in Manila hotel room |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/kiwi-paedophiles-sex-offender-confesses-to-paying-80-to-abuse-boy-in-manila-hotel-room/CEBTY7UMT3NCD24NB32ENPZILA/ |access-date=18 March 2021 |publisher=New Zealand Herald |date=18 March 2020}} and leader of The Opportunities Party (TOP) between 2020 and 2022. She previously served as deputy leader of The Opportunities Party during the 2020 election.{{cite news |title=VOTE 2020: The Opportunities Party |url=https://www.eldernet.co.nz/gazette/vote-2020-the-opportunities-party/ |access-date=17 March 2021 |publisher=Gazette |date=3 August 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Foneska |first1=Dileepa |title=TOP looks to turn the worm |url=https://www.newsroom.co.nz/will-top-turn-the-worm |access-date=18 March 2021 |publisher=Newsroom |date=18 September 2020}}
Political history
=2020 election=
{{See also|The_Opportunities_Party#2020_general_election|label 1=The Opportunities Party § 2020 general election}}
In April 2020, The Opportunities Party announced Navot as their deputy leader.{{cite web |title=TOP – The Opportunities Party on Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/top_nz/status/1255771786043461633 |website=Twitter |access-date=17 March 2021}} Navot ran for The Opportunities Party (TOP) in North Shore.{{cite news |last1=Bhatia |first1=Ripu |title=Election 2020: North Shore candidates for local MP |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300119761/election-2020-north-shore-candidates-for-local-mp |access-date=17 March 2021 |publisher=Stuff |date=30 September 2020}}{{cite news |title=TOP Party Leader Geoff Simmons Will Stand For Rongotai In 2020 Election |url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO2007/S00137/top-party-leader-geoff-simmons-will-stand-for-rongotai-in-2020-election.htm |access-date=18 March 2021 |publisher=Scoop |date=18 March 2020}} This was the first time Navot had run for TOP.{{Cite web|last=The Opportunities Party|date=28 August 2017|title=TOP Announces Party List for 2017 General Election|url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1708/S00554/top-announces-party-list-for-2017-general-election.htm|access-date=24 March 2021|website=www.scoop.co.nz|quote=TOP had only contested one election before 2020, the 2017 general election, and Navot was not a candidate for TOP for that election.}}
During the campaign, Navot called for tax reform to create more wealth and stop the 'poverty trap'.{{cite news |last1=Conchie |first1=Sandra |title=TOP's deputy leader talks tax reform, creating more wealth and stopping the 'poverty trap' |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/tops-deputy-leader-talks-tax-reform-creating-more-wealth-and-stopping-the-poverty-trap/M3K3ZNMSCT5QTNOP5ZYKJ2VY7M/ |access-date=17 March 2021 |publisher=The New Zealand Herald |date=22 July 2020}}{{cite web|title=Foreign Affairs with The Opportunities Party Deputy Leader Shai Navot: 9th October 2020|url=https://95bfm.com/bcast/foreign-affairs-with-the-opportunities-party-deputy-leader-shai-navot-9th-october-2020|access-date=17 March 2021|website=95bFM}}{{cite web|title=#21 Opportunity Knocks Twice: with Opportunities Party leader Shai Navot|url=https://thepodcrastinators.substack.com/p/21-opportunity-knocks-twice-with|access-date=17 March 2021|publisher=The Podcastinators}} Navot said TOP's plan for affordable dental care for low-income earners would also improve long-term health outcomes. She also called setting up fruit and veggie box schemes around the country a "no-brainer"{{cite news |last1=Wade |first1=Amelia |title=Election 2020: TOP wants a 20 per cent tax on junk food to pay for free dental care and $10 doctors' visits |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/election-2020-top-wants-a-20-per-cent-tax-on-junk-food-to-pay-for-free-dental-care-and-10-doctors-visits/O5MAFLIHYD3KNBZDEU64DMHNAU/ |access-date=17 March 2021 |publisher=New Zealand Herald |date=18 March 2020}}{{cite news |title=TOP will tax junk food to pay for cheaper doctors' visits and free dental care for our poorest adults |url=https://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/article/undoctored/top-will-tax-junk-food-pay-cheaper-doctors-visits-and-free-dental-care-our |access-date=18 March 2021 |publisher=NZ Doctor |date=14 October 2020}} and said that community-based responses to food waste (food rescue, food banks, community gardens and compost) were successful models.{{cite news |last1=Darling |first1=Hamish |title=Election 2020: Part 4: Waste of Thyme |url=https://foodtruths.org/blog/election-2020-part-4-waste-thyme |access-date=18 March 2021 |publisher=Food Truths |date=18 March 2020}} She supported legalisation of cannabis through the 2020 New Zealand cannabis referendum, saying the current system is not working with cannabis widely available and controlled by criminals, and asking, "Why would you continue with policy that is clearly not working?".{{cite news|date=13 October 2020|title=Candidates quizzed in Silverdale youth-focused event|publisher=LocalMatters|url=https://localmatters.co.nz/news/40619-candidates-quizzed-silverdale-youthfocused-event.html|access-date=17 March 2021}} Navot led a group of Opportunities Party candidates to gather at an open home to protest the lack of affordable housing.{{cite news|last1=Sowman-Lund|first1=Stewart|date=15 October 2020|title=Election Live, October 15: Advance NZ Facebook page deleted; Labour steady in final TVNZ poll|publisher=The Spinoff |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/15-10-2020/election-live-october-15-debate-day-last-chance-for-collins-and-ardern-to-impress/|access-date=17 March 2021}} Navot also spoke about possible solutions to child poverty.{{cite news|last1=Hayden|first1=Leonie|date=8 August 2020|title=The rebel MP: Green co-leader Marama Davidson|publisher=The Spinoff |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/08-08-2020/the-rebel-mp-green-co-leader-marama-davidson/|access-date=18 March 2021}}{{cite news|date=12 September 2020|title=The Pitch: Shai Navot|publisher=Newshub Nation|url=https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=317741855962207|access-date=17 March 2021}}{{cite news|date=12 September 2020|title=Newshub Nation: September 12, 2020|publisher=Newshub Nation|url=https://www.audible.com/pd/Newshub-Nation-September-12-2020-Podcast/B08K7VD8W9|access-date=17 March 2021}}
In August 2020, Navot criticised National's calls to push back the election date, following Auckland going into a level 3 lockdown. Navot said her party believed the election should proceed on 19 September as planned. Navot said, "They [the National Party] want to delay in the hope they can boost their performance or undermine the outcome, that’s the truth of the matter. It’s the same tactics Donald Trump is using and it’s dangerous, dirty and unwelcome."{{cite news |title=TOP slams National's 'Trumpian response' to Covid-19 outbreak, says election should remain in September |url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/top-slams-nationals-trumpian-response-covid-19-outbreak-says-election-should-remain-in-september |access-date=17 March 2021 |publisher=1 News |date=13 August 2020}}
Navot did not win the North Shore electorate, coming fifth with 1,493 votes (4% of votes).{{Cite web|title=North Shore – Official Result|url=https://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2020/electorate-details-30.html|website=electionresults.govt.nz}} TOP won no electorates and received 1.5% of the party vote, meaning that neither Navot nor any other TOP candidates won seats in Parliament.{{Cite web|title=2020 General Election and Referendums – Official Result|url=https://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2020/|website=electionresults.govt.nz}}
File:Shai Navot and Hayden Cargo.jpg |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/15-10-2020/election-live-october-15-debate-day-last-chance-for-collins-and-ardern-to-impress/|access-date=31 March 2021}}]]
=After the 2020 election=
In November 2020, at TOP's first AGM after the election, Geoff Simmons resigned as leader of The Opportunities Party and Navot became party leader.{{cite news |title=The Opportunities Party leader Geoff Simmons resigns, interim leader named |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/123287891/the-opportunities-party-leader-geoff-simmons-resigns-interim-leader-named |access-date=17 March 2021 |publisher=Stuff |date=3 November 2020}}{{cite news |title=The Opportunity Party's Geoff Simmons steps down as leader, citing family commitments |url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/opportunity-party-s-geoff-simmons-steps-down-leader-citing-family-commitments |access-date=17 March 2021 |publisher=1 News |date=3 November 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Braae |first1=Alex |title=First post-election leadership casualty: TOP boss Geoff Simmons quits |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/03-11-2020/first-post-election-leadership-casualty-top-boss-geoff-simmons-quits/ |access-date=17 March 2021 |publisher=The Spinoff |date=3 November 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Braae |first1=Alex |title=The Bulletin: Wellington's future being thrashed out |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/the-bulletin/04-11-2020/the-bulletin-wellingtons-future-being-thrashed-out/ |access-date=18 March 2021 |publisher=The Spinoff |date=4 November 2020}}{{cite news |title=The Opportunities Party's departing leader says it's time for fresh blood |url=https://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/article.aspx?id=321576 |access-date=18 March 2021 |publisher=NZ City |date=4 November 2020}} TOP have announced that they intend to contest the 2023 New Zealand general election.{{cite news |last1=Orsman |first1=Bernard |title=The New Conservatives and TOP plan to keep going after failing to make it into Parliament |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/the-new-conservatives-and-top-plan-to-keep-going-after-failing-to-make-it-into-parliament/R23ZD7YTRKYTBEPIWWHGLDVKLE/ |access-date=17 March 2021 |publisher=The New Zealand Herald |date=18 October 2020}}
In December 2020, Navot launched a petition with The Opportunities Party to declare a housing emergency, saying, "The Labour Party has just achieved its best-ever election result in 50 years, and they are the first party to govern alone since MMP was brought in. Despite this huge mandate they are showing political weakness over one of the most pressing issues of our time and one that affects all New Zealanders. It's not good enough."{{cite news |last1=Satherley |first1=Dan |title=TOP calls for 'housing emergency' declaration as prices skyrocket further out of reach |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/12/top-calls-for-housing-emergency-declaration-as-prices-skyrocket-further-out-of-reach.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113203032/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/12/top-calls-for-housing-emergency-declaration-as-prices-skyrocket-further-out-of-reach.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 January 2021 |access-date=17 March 2021 |publisher=Newshub |date=17 December 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Wilkes |first1=Mikaela |title=TOP to Government: Declare housing emergency now |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/homed/housing-affordability/123744776/top-to-government-declare-housing-emergency-now |access-date=17 March 2021 |publisher=Stuff |date=17 December 2020}}
=2023 election=
During the 2023 New Zealand general election, Navot stood as The Opportunities Party's candidate in Upper Harbour. She ranked fifth on the party list.{{cite web |title=The Opportunities Party announces a fresh team to bring new ideas to Parliament at the 2023 General Election |url=https://www.top.org.nz/the_opportunities_party_announces_a_fresh_team_to_bring_new_ideas_to_parliament_at_the_2023_general_election |publisher=The Opportunities Party |access-date=30 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812174253/https://www.top.org.nz/the_opportunities_party_announces_a_fresh_team_to_bring_new_ideas_to_parliament_at_the_2023_general_election |archive-date=12 August 2023 |date=4 August 2023 |url-status=live}} Navot came sixth place, with 1,109 votes.{{cite web |title=Upper Harbour - Official Result |url=https://archive.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2023/electorate-details-55.html |publisher=Electoral Commission |access-date=11 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125012851/https://archive.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2023/electorate-details-55.html |archive-date=25 November 2023 |date=11 December 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
Navot attended Carmel College.{{cite news |title=Candidates meeting: Likely next MP says Shore needs local focus |url=https://rangitoto-observer.co.nz/candidates-meeting-likely-next-mp-says-shore-needs-local-focus/ |access-date=17 March 2021 |publisher=The Rangitoto Observer |date=14 October 2020}}{{cite news |title=16 October 2020 Rangitoto Observer |url=https://issuu.com/devonportflagstaffnewspaper/docs/oct16_roissu__1_ |access-date=17 March 2021 |publisher=Rangitoto Observer |date=16 October 2020}} Navot began studying towards a Master of Public Policy at University of Auckland in 2017, and will continue this study in 2020.{{cn|date=June 2025}}
Navot worked for seven years as a lawyer in both civil litigation and criminal prosecution. Navot initially specialised in pursuing weathertightness claims in the High Court on behalf of the Ministry of Education, and subsequently became a Crown prosecutor in June 2013, where she remained until September 2019. As part of the Crown Specialist team in Auckland, Navot advised on and conducted prosecutions on behalf of various government departments and acted as Crown counsel in criminal prosecutions, including conducting jury trials as lead counsel for the Crown.{{cite web |title=SHAI NAVOT LEADER NORTH SHORE |url=https://www.top.org.nz/candidates-2020_shai-navot |website=The Opportunities Party |access-date=17 March 2021}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [https://www.top.org.nz/candidates-2020_shai-navot Shai Navot candidate profile]
- {{Facebook|shainavot.nz}}
- {{Instagram|shai_navot}}
- {{Twitter|shainavot}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Navot, Shai}}
Category:University of Auckland alumni
Category:The Opportunities Party politicians
Category:Unsuccessful candidates in the 2020 New Zealand general election
Category:Unsuccessful candidates in the 2023 New Zealand general election
Category:Lawyers from Auckland
Category:21st-century New Zealand lawyers
Category:21st-century New Zealand women politicians
Category:People educated at Carmel College, Auckland
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
Category:The Opportunities Party leaders