Ron Mark | Standing for Wairarapa | New Zealand First

"If you see something that you believe is so wrong and you believe that there are things that can be done to change it, improve it, counter it, correct it, you should do it. There's no point standing on the sidelines."

Hon. Ron Mark is the New Zealand First candidate for Wairarapa in the 2026 General Election. He has served in the New Zealand Army, local government and Parliament, including as Minister of Defence and Minister for Veterans’ Affairs. 

Ron was first elected to Parliament in 1996 and served across six parliamentary terms. From 2017 to 2020 he held the Defence and Veterans’ Affairs portfolios. He also previously served as Deputy Leader of New Zealand First. 

Before and between his periods in Parliament, Ron was closely involved in local government in Wairarapa. He served three terms as Mayor of Carterton and has remained active in regional and community affairs. 

Ron joined the New Zealand Army at 16 and later served overseas, including two tours in the Sinai and service in Oman. More recently, he has taken part in humanitarian aid missions to Ukraine. 

He has also been involved in iwi and Treaty settlement work, including roles with Wairarapa Moana Incorporation and Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki Nui-a-Rua. 

Ron and his partner Christine live in Carterton, where they have a small farm.