When asked why she got into politics, Tracey Martin answers simply and sharply, “I was annoyed.”
The Minister for Seniors, Children and Internal Affairs isn’t your average politician – as she admits herself, “you need to be fairly brave to be unpopular”.
Since entering politics in 2008, where she unsuccessfully ran in the Rodney electorate before being elected to Parliament as a New Zealand First list MP in 2011, Tracey has earned a reputation for being somewhat forceful, fierce and blunt – qualities she makes no apologies for.
“I’ve gained a reputation for being fairly straight-talking,” she nods. “I frighten my staff a little bit from the perspective that I’m not your average politician. I don’t do a lot of bluster – if there’s something to be said, let’s just say it and move on!”
Her willingness to ruffle a few feathers in order to get the job done is one of the reasons Tracey (42), a mother-of-three from North Auckland, thinks she was picked by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters for the Children and Seniors portfolios, despite having minimal experience in those areas.
After getting over her surprise, Tracey says she’s been throwing everything at her new roles and is thrilled to be a judge in the Weekly‘s Grandparent of the Year competition.
“My grandparents and great-grandparents were very involved in my life. The value my grandparents have had in my own life is immense – they’re the patient people who taught me life lessons when I was growing up, while Mum and Dad were doing the day-to-day stuff.”
But it’s those seniors who are acting as honorary grandparents that touch Tracey’s heart the most and is the award she is most looking forward to judging.
“I think those people who end up being surrogate grandparents need to be acknowledged more,” she nods.
“I’ve done a bit with the organisation Grandparents Raising Grandchildren too – those grandparents that step up officially or unofficially. If they were to disappear tomorrow, God save us.”
Tracey follows Deputy PM Winston Peters
Despite being a newcomer to the Ministry for Seniors, she’s enjoying her role immensely. While it’s a “very small department, to be frank”, Tracey and her team are responsible for protecting seniors’ interests when they’re impacted by legislation or government practice – and, of course, promoting and protecting the SuperGold card, which Kiwis receive when they turn 65.
“It’s a bit of a badge of honour,” she smiles. “I think it’s in the Kiwi psyche, when you turn 65, the card is a symbol that your country is actually going to give you back something. It acknowledges that, as a New Zealander, you’ve done the hard yards.”
She’s also the Minister for Children – Tracey remarking she’s responsible for Kiwis at the start of their lives and also those in their sunset years. “It’s got a real synergy to it, I love it. It was really humbling to be chosen as the Minister for Children,” she says.
“It’s a portfolio very near and dear to the Prime Minister’s heart and if she didn’t have to give it up because she’s the PM, she wouldn’t have. This is an area that needs someone to be very brave. I’m not going to be popular all the time in this portfolio, because for our children, I’m going to have to make decisions that put them first.”
Tracey’s crusades for our kids and seniors mean she’s a very busy lady these days, but family is still a huge priority, with the politician ensuring every Saturday is free for family time. Her children – Connor (22), Sean (20) and 17-year-old Rose – are incredibly supportive of their mum, as is her husband Ben.
“Sometimes I say I’m just really lucky, but actually, I have very good taste in husbands!” she laughs.
“He is an outstanding man. From the moment I decided to do this, there was never any question that I shouldn’t be. When I got elected in 2011, on the night of the election, he turned to me and said, ‘Right, then. Tomorrow, I’m quitting – this is your time, Trace. I’ll take over the home.’ He’s amazing.
“And he’s a winemaker!” she says, laughing, “An awesome man and he can produce alcohol!”
Ben’s talent at making a decent drop of red has come in handy, especially when she was finding her feet as a new MP.
“I’d leave Warkworth on a Monday morning at 9am and I wouldn’t get back until 10pm on a Thursday,” she tells.
“Every Thursday night, I would walk through the garage, grab a bottle of Ben’s pinot noir, and he’d have blue cheese and crackers waiting. We’d sit down, have a glass of red and catch-up on the week. So, yes, I have brilliant taste!”
