Angela Roberts

Angela Susan Roberts is a New Zealand teacher, unionist and politician.

Early life and career
Roberts spent 20 years in the education sector teaching economics and drama. In 2013 Roberts became President of the Post Primary Teachers' Association (PPTA) union. As President she was critical of then-Education Minister Hekia Parata on teaching issues including Novopay and charter schools. In 2017 she took up a teaching position at Stratford High School, resigning as PPTA president, instead becoming senior vice president of the PPTA.

Subsequently, Roberts was involved in the Just Transition Summit conversations in Taranaki. She took a particular interest in the role of education and training in sustaining future businesses and workforce.

Member of Parliament
There was speculation she would run as a Labour Party candidate in the 2017 election, a notion Roberts did not rule out. However, at the last minute, she decided against running.

Roberts entered Parliament in the. She ran for the electorate of, coming second behind the incumbent National MP Barbara Kuriger by a margin of 3,134 votes. Since she was ranked 50th on Labour's party list, Roberts was elected to Parliament.

On 29 September 2023, Roberts was physically assaulted at a surgery at the Rotary club in Inglewood, Taranaki, while canvassing for Taranaki-King Country. The man reportedly confronted Roberts before he “grabbed [her] shoulders" and shook her violently "in order to emphasise the point he was making" before slapping her across the face. Roberts later said to Radio New Zealand "It feels like, incrementally, there is a growing acceptance of aggression in politics and our democratic processes. This must change." She thanked National MP Barbara Kuriger for reaching out to her after the incident.

During the 2023 New Zealand general election held on 14 October, Roberts contested Taranaki-King Country a second time. She lost to incumbent Kuriger by a margin of 14,355 votes.

Personal life
Roberts lives in Tariki with her husband Ian Anglesey, who is also a teacher, and their two children. She enjoys beach walking, tramping and community theatre.