Wikipedia:WikiProject New Zealand/politics/New MPs/Mark Hutchinson (politician)

Mark Alan Hutchinson (born 1971) is a New Zealand politician and Member of Parliament in the House of Representatives for the Labour Party.

Early life
Hutchinson grew up in the Napier suburb of Taradale, later attending the University of Otago. He worked as a clinical psychologist and worked for a time in the United Kingdom. He moved back to Napier in 2009 and ran his own business as an organisational development and leadership consultant, Divergent and co.

Political career
After Stuart Nash announced his intention to retire at the, Hutchinson was selected by the Labour Party to run in the electorate to replace him. Initially Hutchinson declined to attend a candidates debate in Napier co-hosted by the New Zealand Taxpayers' Union and the Working Group podcast hosted by left-wing blogger Martyn "Bomber" Bradbury, saying it was a 'beltway thing' organised by people hostile to Labour. However, after debate organisers gave assurances that the Taxpayers' Union had no part in shaping the format or questions Hutchinson reversed his decision and took part in the debate. At the debate a poll of the Napier electorate was revealed with Hutchinson polling second to National's candidate Katie Nimon. Hutchinson said he was 'enormously heartened' with the result and thought he still had a chance of winning the seat.

During the campaign he was critical of Air New Zealand's domestic air prices after having to pay $600 for a flight to Auckland which he thought to be excessive.

Personal life
He has three children.