Biography

Darren Hughes's biography

Darren Hughes

Otaki
MP for Otaki, Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment, Deputy Leader of the House, Minister of Statistics

Darren Hughes is MP for Otaki, representing the districts of Horowhenua and Kapiti in the lower North Island.

He was first elected to Parliament at the age of 24 in 2002 and re-elected in 2005. Throughout this time he has been New Zealand’s youngest Member of Parliament. In November 2007 Darren was appointed Minister of Statistics, Deputy Leader of the House and Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment. Prior to his promotion to the Executive, he served as Junior Government Whip for three and a half years. Darren is currently a member of the Commerce and Law and Order Select Committees. Since entering Parliament he has served on the Health, Justice and Officers of Parliament Select Committees.

Darren lives in Levin and was educated at local schools in the Otaki electorate – Coley Street School in Foxton, St Joseph’s in Levin and Horowhenua College. He graduated from Victoria University of Wellington with a BA in public policy and social policy – and lots of politics papers! He was a member of the Students Association Executive while at university.