Ron Mark returns to NZ First for election
Former New Zealand Defence Minister Ron Mark has announced his return to politics, seeking to represent New Zealand First in the Wairarapa electorate. He expressed a strong desire to reclaim the defence portfolio, citing concerns over current military leadership and personnel retention.
Why it matters
The return of a high-profile former minister signals potential shifts in New Zealand's defence policy and coalition negotiation dynamics ahead of the upcoming election.
New Zealand First has confirmed former MP Ron Mark will stand again at this year's election.
And the former defence minister says if he returns to Parliament, he wants the defence job once again.
Mark, who served as an MP from 1996 to 2008, and again from 2014 to 2020, served as defence minister in the Labour-led coalition. He has also been the minister for veterans' affairs and the minister for state-owned enterprises.
He told RNZ he decided to run again after conversations with his partner and late mother-in-law, as well as a big conversation inside his own head.
Mark said he "absolutely" wanted to be defence minister again, and that would "without a doubt" be on the table for any coalition negotiations.
The role is currently held by National's Chris Penk.
Mark said Penk was a "damn good man," but "you can't win and be a nice guy".
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