Gregory Wray Fleming[1] (born 1970 or 1971)[2] is a New Zealand politician and Member of Parliament in the House of Representatives for the National Party. First elected in the 2023 election in the Maungakiekie electorate, he beat the incumbent Priyanca Radhakrishnan. He is a co-founder of the conservative think tank Maxim Institute and is involved in a number of Christian-based charities.
Greg Fleming MP | |
|---|---|
.png) Fleming in 2023 | |
| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Maungakiekie | |
| Assumed office 14 October 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Priyanca Radhakrishnan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Gregory Wray Fleming 1970 or 1971 (age 52–53) Masterton, New Zealand |
| Political party | National |
| Spouse | Kirstin |
| Children | 5 |
| Alma mater | Victoria University of Wellington |
Early life and career
Fleming was born in Masterton and attended Wairarapa College. He received a Bachelor of Commerce from Victoria University of Wellington. Fleming co-founded the conservative think tank Maxim Institute[3] alongside Bruce Logan in 2001[4] and served as CEO after Logan retired in 2005. During his time at the Maxim Institute he campaigned against the Prostitution Reform Act 2003[5] and the Civil Union Act 2004, comparing civil unions to polygamy and incest; he clarified that his views have since changed.[6][7]
Fleming was general manager of Parenting with Confidence before founding the Maxim Institute.[8] The organisation's name changed to Parents Inc.,[9] and then The Parenting Place.[10] Fleming became involved again and was chief executive of The Parenting Place family charity between 2015 and 2020.[6][11][12]
Te Whakaora Tangata
He was the founding Chair and trustee of Te Whakaora Tangata, a Christian-based charity based in Manurewa aimed at addressing intergenerational poverty. They work with hundreds of people in poverty, rebuilding their lives through counselling and practical support.[13]
Venn Foundation
Fleming is a co-founder of the Venn Foundation, a Christian educational institution.[6][14][15]
Political career
| Years | Term | Electorate | List | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023–present | 54th | Maungakiekie | 65 | National | |
Fleming was announced as National's Maungakiekie electorate candidate for the 2023 general election on 26 March 2023.[16] After his previous comments on civil unions resurfaced in April 2023, Fleming clarified that his position had changed since then.[6][7] Fleming defeated incumbent MP Priyanca Radhakrishnan by a margin of 4,617.[17]
Ceasefire
In November 2023, shortly after his election to the Maungakiekie seat, Fleming responded to an email from a constituent about the situation in Gaza by saying he shared their "horror and grief".[18] "While it is an absolute privilege to serve the community of Maungakiekie one of the many things I'm fast learning is the limits of my authority due to being part of a big machine," he wrote in an email shared on Twitter. "Whilst I can't speak publicly on matters of foreign policy I can certainly advocate internally for causes. Hence you can be sure that I'm urging those who speak for our government to call for an immediate ceasefire."
Maiden Speech
Fleming gave his maiden speech in Parliament on Tuesday 19 December 2023.[19] He spoke reflectively, using a mixture of English and Te Reo Māori.
A number of community organisations in his electorate were mentioned: "Mana motuhake—it's not a silver bullet. It has its own complexities and challenges, but it is, I believe, a measurably better approach than that of centralisation. It's why I asked Maungakiekie to send me to Parliament—to champion that sector, those platoons of civil society, those thousand points of light that bring life and hope to people's lives: organisations like Tō Wāhi and the Oranga Community Centre, like the Mount Wellington community network and Connect the Dots, like Elevate Disabilities Trust and the Hearing House in One Tree Hill, like the Ellerslie, Mount Wellington, and Onehunga community patrols, like the Salvation Army in Royal Oak, like the Onehunga and Ellerslie business associations, and like every school and club and family in Maungakiekie. It's why I've come to this place."[19]