Real Life with John Cowan

Born and raised in Auckland, Nikki attended Corran School where she was Head Prefect. She gained a Bachelor of Science from the University of Otago, majoring in Genetics. She has also completed a Bachelor of Laws in 2009. Nikki has been a keen participant in sporting events completing several marathons including the New York marathon and the Coast to Coast event in both 2008 and 2013 – a 240km multi-sport race from the West Coast to the East Coast of New Zealand’s South Island.

Nikki Kaye was elected as the Member of Parliament for the Auckland Central electorate in 2008, winning the seat for the National Party for the first time in New Zealand’s history. In 2011 and 2014 she was re-elected winning the seat against then Labour list MP Jacinda Ardern. In the 2017 election, she was re-elected with the highest majority that she has had during her time in Parliament. Following her re-election in 2011, Nikki held the role of Chair of the Education and Science select committee.

In 2013, Nikki was promoted to the National Government’s Cabinet by the Rt Hon John Key and given responsibility for Ministerial portfolios of Food Safety, Civil Defence and Youth. She was also made Associate Minister of both Immigration and Education. She was later given responsibility for Ministerial portfolios of ACC, Civil Defence and Youth Affairs and Associate Minister of Education. In 2016, she took leave from Parliament and her ministerial duties while being treated for breast cancer, but returned to Parliament in early 2017 to resume full duties.