Angela Roberts

For the curler, see Angela Roberts (curler).

Angela Susan Roberts^[2] is a New Zealand teacher, unionist and politician.

Angela Roberts
Roberts in 2023
Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Labour party list
In office 17 October 2020 – 14 October 2023
Personal details
Born	1968 or 1969 (age 55–56)[1]
Political party	Labour
Spouse	Ian Anglesey
Children	2
Profession	Teacher

Early life and career

Roberts spent 20 years in the education sector teaching economics and drama, including at Stratford High School.^[3] She was president of the Post Primary Teachers' Association (PPTA) union from 2013 to 2017. In that role, she was critical of then-Minister of Education Hekia Parata on teaching issues including Novopay and charter schools. When she returned to teaching in 2017, she became senior vice president of the PPTA.^[4]

Roberts was involved in the Just Transition Summit conversations in Taranaki, following the Sixth Labour Government's 2018 decision to ban new offshore oil and gas exploration permits. She took a particular interest in the role of education and training in sustaining future businesses and workforce.^[4]

Member of Parliament

New Zealand Parliament

Years	Term	Electorate	List	Party
2020–2023	53rd	List	50		Labour

There was speculation Roberts would run as a Labour Party candidate in the 2017 election, a notion she did not rule out. However, at the last minute, she decided against running.^[4]

Roberts entered Parliament in the 2020 election. She ran for the electorate of Taranaki-King Country, coming second behind the incumbent National MP Barbara Kuriger by a margin of 3,134 votes.^[5] The Labour Party performed strongly and Roberts was elected to Parliament as a list MP, ranked 50th on the party list.^[6][7]

Roberts gave her maiden statement on 2 December 2020.^[8] She was a member of the education committee from 2 December 2020 until 8 September 2023, a member of the primary production committee from 4 May 2022 to 16 February 2023, and deputy chair of the primary production committee from 16 February to 8 September 2023.^[9]

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.^[10] 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.^[11]

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.^[12]

Personal life

Roberts lives in Tariki with her husband Ian Anglesey, who is also a teacher, and their two children.^[3]