Former FMA boss Craig Stobo joins NZ First, running in Christopher Luxon’s seat
Former Financial Markets Authority chairman Craig Stobo has joined the New Zealand First party to run for the Botany seat. Stobo, who previously resigned from his regulatory role due to his political outspokenness, stated that the move allows him to speak more freely on public issues.
Why it matters
The transition of a high-profile financial regulator into active partisan politics is a notable development in New Zealand's political landscape.
Former Financial Markets Authority chairman Craig Stobo is now an NZ First candidate. Photo / Dean Purcell
Former Financial Markets Authority chairman Craig Stobo is now a New Zealand First candidate and says he is relishing the “opportunity to speak freely on issues of public importance”.
It comes months after Stobo resigned from the country’s financial markets conduct regulator for voicing too many political views for someone in an apolitical public sector role.
NZ First today confirmed Stobo had joined the party and would be standing in Botany, a seat currently held by Prime Minister and National leader Christopher Luxon.
Stobo is understood to be a good friend of broadcaster and fellow NZ First candidate Michael Laws. He was also involved in developing NZ First’s economic policy ahead of the 1996 election.
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