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Scott Willis (politician)
New Zealand politician From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Scott Matthew Willis[1] is a New Zealand energy analyst and politician, representing the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand as a Member of Parliament since the 2023 New Zealand general election.[2]
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Early life
Willis was born in Dunedin and grew up on a farm in Otago.[3][2] He attended the University of Otago from the age of 17 in 1987,[4] and then worked on orchards and farms in the Cévennes region of France.[2] Willis later interned at the European Parliament.[2] He has worked as a consultant on energy resilience, and as an energy analyst.[5][6][7] As general manager of Blueskin Energy Ltd, Willis was involved in attempts to get wind turbines in Blueskin Bay, and in the building of New Zealand's first climate-safe house in 2020.[8][9] He has been involved with a trust working on peer-to-peer energy sharing, and insulating houses.[5]
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Political career
Willis contested the Taieri electorate in the 2020 election, when he came third to Labour MP Ingrid Leary and National Party candidate Liam Kernaghan, with 2207 votes.[10][11]
Willis stood again for Taieri in the 2023 election. He was twelfth on the national list.[12] At the campaign launch in June, Willis said "We need a strong voice on the hospital build and our health services; for all whānau living in cold, damp mouldy homes; for our tertiary education – our University and Te Pukenga. We need a strong voice and forward thinking for South Dunedin and our rural and energy sectors, for decarbonising to deliver climate justice."[10]
During the 2023 election, Willis received 3,898 votes in Taeiri, coming third to incumbent Ingrid Leary and National Party candidate Matthew French.[13] Despite not winning Taieri, Willis entered Parliament on the Green Party list.[14][7]
In late November, Willis assumed the Green Party's energy, regional development, rural communities and Dunedin Issues spokesperson portfolios.[15]
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Views and positions
Climate change mitigation
Willis has advocated environmentally-friendly water management and "blue-green" urban design policies including not building on flood-prone lands and using permeable surfaces to mitigate climate change and flood risk.[16]
During the 2022 Dunedin local elections, Willis advocated degrowth policies in order to combat the effects of climate change. He has also supported the "pedestrianisation" of George Street in Dunedin.[17]
Agriculture
Willis has advocated sustainable agriculture and organic farming as alternatives to intensive agriculture and horticulture.[18][19]
Economy
Willis has advocated transitioning towards a low carbon economy in order to address the impact of climate change and pollution.[20]
Transportation
In September 2023, Willis expressed support for the reintroduction of passenger rail in the South Island.[21]
References
External links
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