Lianne was born and bred in Christchurch, which means the first question she is asked is ‘what school did you go to?’ Unfortunately for Lianne, (but lucky for the service concerned), her school is now a drug and rehab centre. Lianne has since returned to her old school to attend an Odyssey House community dinner, which was a great opportunity to take a trip down memory lane, at the same time as hearing of the achievements of the graduates of their very successful A&D programme.

Lianne completed her law degree at Canterbury University and was admitted to the bar to practise as a Barrister & Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand in 1984. Lianne worked in Christchurch Public Hospital while she was a law student, which is how she became involved in the union movement, first as a union delegate and then as an organiser, leading up to her election as the Canterbury Union Secretary of what is now the Service & Food Workers Union.

Lianne began her active involvement with the Labour Party as an affiliated member to the Christchurch Central LEC when Geoffrey Palmer was the local MP. Lianne stood for selection when he announced his retirement about 2 months before the 1990 General Election. This selection was hotly contested, but having the selection confirmed in the early hours of the morning, meant the selection actually occurred on the 19th September – Women’s Suffrage Day.

Lianne represented Christchurch Central until she decided to stand as a List MP in 1996, in order to hammer home the message that it was the Party Vote that counts under MMP. Although Lianne does not regret prioritising the message, she describes being a List MP as a position she did not enjoy and was very pleased to have been selected to succeed Larry Sutherland when he retired from politics in 1999.

Lianne is in her fourth term as MP for Christchurch East and is passionate about the areas she represents and the difference that a local MP and a government can make.

“I look around Aranui today and describe what has occurred as miraculous. It just shows what a community can do when they have a true partnership with central and local government and when the policies of the government support strong communities.”

After the success in Aranui, Lianne moved her electorate office to New Brighton, believing that there is great potential in this seaside village, which has a rich history, great neighbours and excellent coffee!

Lianne has been proud to serve under the leadership of the Rt Hon Helen Clark and has held a broad range of portfolios as a Minister: Immigration, Commerce, Small Business, Senior Citizens, Women’s Affairs & Food Safety and associate portfolios in Justice and Education.

Lianne is now Labour’s spokesperson for Small Business, Commerce, Electoral Reform & Regulatory Reform.  She chairs the Commerce Select Committee and is a member of the Privileges Committee.

Contact details:

Parliamentary office
Address: Freepost PO Box 18 888, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160
Phone: 04 817 8209
Email: lianne.dalziel@parliament.govt.nz

Electorate office
Address: 126 New Brighton Mall, Christchurch PO Box 18898, Christchurch
Phone: 03 382 0288 Fax: 03 382 0275
Email: lianne.dalziel.mp@parliament.govt.nz