Steven Joyce

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New Zealand politician

title: "Steven Joyce" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1963-births", "living-people", "massey-university-alumni", "members-of-the-cabinet-of-new-zealand", "members-of-the-new-zealand-house-of-representatives", "new-zealand-businesspeople", "new-zealand-national-party-mps", "new-zealand-radio-presenters", "people-from-new-plymouth", "people-educated-at-francis-douglas-memorial-college", "new-zealand-list-mps", "ministers-of-finance-of-new-zealand", "candidates-in-the-2017-new-zealand-general-election", "people-educated-at-kāpiti-college", "companions-of-the-new-zealand-order-of-merit", "new-zealand-media-and-entertainment", "new-zealand-mass-media-owners"] description: "New Zealand politician" topic_path: "economics" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Joyce" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary New Zealand politician ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox officeholder"]

FieldValue
honorific-prefixThe Honourable
nameSteven Joyce
honorific-suffix
imageSteven Joyce in Estonia, March 2016.jpg
captionJoyce in 2016
order41st Minister of Finance
term_start20 December 2016
term_end26 October 2017
primeministerBill English
predecessorBill English
successorGrant Robertson
order12nd Minister for Infrastructure
term_start120 December 2016
term_end126 October 2017
primeminister1Bill English
predecessor1Position created (last held by Bill English)
successor1Shane Jones
order25th Minister for Economic Development
term_start214 December 2011
term_end220 December 2016
primeminister2John Key
Bill English
predecessor2Gerry Brownlee
successor2Simon Bridges
order324th Minister for Science and Innovation
term_start314 December 2011
term_end320 December 2016
primeminister3John Key
Bill English
predecessor3Wayne Mapp
successor3Paul Goldsmith
order4Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment
term_start427 January 2010
term_end420 December 2016
primeminister4John Key
Bill English
predecessor4Anne Tolley
successor4Paul Goldsmith
order524th Minister of Transport
term_start519 November 2008
term_end514 December 2011
primeminister5John Key
predecessor5Annette King
successor5Gerry Brownlee
order6Minister for Communications and Information Technology
term_start619 November 2008
term_end614 December 2011
primeminister6John Key
predecessor6David Cunliffe
successor6Amy Adams
constituency_MP7National party list
parliament7New Zealand
term_start78 November 2008
term_end72 April 2018
successor7Nicola Willis
birth_date
birth_placeNew Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand
nationalityNew Zealand
spouseSuzanne Joyce
partyNational Party
children2
alma_materMassey University
occupationBroadcasting entrepreneur
::

| honorific-prefix =The Honourable | name = Steven Joyce | honorific-suffix = | image = Steven Joyce in Estonia, March 2016.jpg | caption = Joyce in 2016 | imagesize= | order = 41st Minister of Finance | term_start = 20 December 2016 | term_end = 26 October 2017 | primeminister = Bill English | predecessor = Bill English | successor = Grant Robertson | order1 = 2nd Minister for Infrastructure | term_start1 = 20 December 2016 | term_end1 = 26 October 2017 | primeminister1 = Bill English | predecessor1 = Position created (last held by Bill English) | successor1 = Shane Jones | order2 = 5th Minister for Economic Development | term_start2 = 14 December 2011 | term_end2 = 20 December 2016 | primeminister2 = John Key Bill English | predecessor2 = Gerry Brownlee | successor2 = Simon Bridges | order3 = 24th Minister for Science and Innovation | term_start3 = 14 December 2011 | term_end3 = 20 December 2016 | primeminister3 = John Key Bill English | predecessor3 = Wayne Mapp | successor3 = Paul Goldsmith | order4 = Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment | term_start4 = 27 January 2010 | term_end4 = 20 December 2016 | primeminister4 = John Key Bill English | predecessor4 = Anne Tolley | successor4 = Paul Goldsmith | order5 = 24th Minister of Transport | term_start5 = 19 November 2008 | term_end5 = 14 December 2011 | primeminister5 = John Key | predecessor5 = Annette King | successor5 = Gerry Brownlee | order6 = Minister for Communications and Information Technology | term_start6 = 19 November 2008 | term_end6 = 14 December 2011 | primeminister6 = John Key | predecessor6 = David Cunliffe | successor6 = Amy Adams | constituency_MP7 = National party list | parliament7 = New Zealand | term_start7 = 8 November 2008 | term_end7 = 2 April 2018 | successor7 = Nicola Willis | birth_date = | birth_place = New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand | death_date = | death_place = | nationality = New Zealand | spouse = Suzanne Joyce | party = National Party | relations = | children = 2 | alma_mater = Massey University | occupation = Broadcasting entrepreneur}}

Steven Leonard Joyce (born 7 April 1963) is a New Zealand former politician, who entered the New Zealand House of Representatives in 2008 as a member of the New Zealand National Party. As a broadcasting entrepreneur with RadioWorks, he was a millionaire before he entered politics. In 2008 he became Minister of Transport and Minister for Communications and Information Technology. He later became Minister of Science and Innovation, and then served as Minister of Finance and Minister for Infrastructure.

On 6 March 2018, he announced his resignation from politics, after losing his bid for the leadership of the party. Joyce subsequently established a consultancy firm called Joyce Advisory, which developed close ties with the National Party. In 2023, Joyce Advisory was rumoured to have played a role in influencing the National Party's support for the University of Waikato to host New Zealand's proposed third medical school, but the university said that Joyce had not provided government relations or lobbying support. In June 2025, Joyce was appointed as the chairman of media company New Zealand Media and Entertainment, which owns The New Zealand Herald newspaper and the radio station Newstalk ZB.

Early life

Joyce's parents worked as grocers. He went to school at Francis Douglas Memorial College, before enrolling at Massey University, applying to study veterinary science. However he "missed the cut", graduating instead with a BSc in zoology. While at university he worked as a presenter and programme director on Radio Massey. He also took fifteen economics papers at Massey from 1982 to 1986, withdrew or did not complete seven of them and failed one through insufficient grade.

Broadcasting career

After leaving university Joyce and a group of friends (including radio presenter Jeremy Corbett) started their own radio station, Energy FM, in New Plymouth. With business partners, he built up RadioWorks over the next seventeen years, both organically and by acquisition, to a network of 22 radio stations and 650 staff. He retired as Managing Director of RadioWorks in April 2001, when CanWest purchased it, Joyce receiving $6 million for the sale.

After RadioWorks he joined the New Zealand National Party, working as their campaign manager in both the 2005 and the 2008 general elections. He was announced as a list only candidate for the party in the 2002 general election, but did not appear on the final list. He also served as CEO of Jasons Travel Media for two years until 2008.

In 2010 while Minister of Transport, Joyce admitted to two prior driving convictions, careless driving resulting in a fine in 1988, and careless driving causing injury resulting in a fine and loss of licence in 1989.

Member of Parliament

|term = 49th |start = |end = 2011 |electorate = List |party = New Zealand National Party |list = 16 |party = New Zealand National Party |list = 13 |electorate = List |term = 50th |start = |end = 2014 |party = New Zealand National Party |list = 5 |electorate = List |term = 51st |start = |end = 2017 |party = New Zealand National Party |list = 4 |electorate = List |term = 52nd |start = |end = 2018

First term, 2008–2011

On 8 November 2008, Joyce was elected as a list-only candidate (ranked 16th on the party list) at the 2008 election in the Fifth National Government of New Zealand of the 49th Parliament of New Zealand representing the New Zealand National Party.

As a first term member of parliament, Joyce was appointed to the office of the Minister of Transport and the office of the Communications and Information Technology. Joyce was also appointed as a member of the Executive Council and was titled as The Honourable Steven Leonard Joyce, MP. During his tenure as Minister of Transport a number of changes were introduced. In November 2009 a ban on using cellphones while driving came into effect.

In 2010, New Zealand's unique right-hand rule at intersections was reversed. The minimum driving age was also raised from 15 to 16. Both measures were subject to cabinet approval and public consultation, and eventually passed into law.

This minimum driving age proposal was criticised by the editorial board of The New Zealand Herald for being too hesitant after experts and the public had favoured raising the driving age as high as 18 and in the opinion of the newspaper, Joyce "had not shown the resolve to follow the recommendations".

He helped create Auckland Transport as a council-controlled organisation for Auckland. Joyce stated that "Auckland will need a good agency focused on delivering the projects that have been agreed by council" and noting that Council had a number of ways of ensuring that the entity was accountable.

Joyce was also appointed to the Office of Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment replacing Anne Tolley, effective 27 January 2010.

Second term, 2011–2014

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c3/CE_-_Comissão_de_Educação,Cultura_e_Esporte(16680551223).jpg" caption="Joyce speaking in Brazil, April 2015"] ::

In the 2011 election for the 50th New Zealand Parliament Joyce retained his seat in Parliament (as a list candidate, now rated 13th on the party list) and was appointed to the office of Minister for Economic Development. in the Fifth National Government of New Zealand. His previous role as Minister of Transport passed to Gerry Brownlee.

In May 2013, he signed a deal with casino Skycity Auckland, allowing it to install an additional 230 pokie machines and 40 new gambling tables, in exchange for building a $402 million convention centre.

In August 2013, he was given responsibility to investigate both the Novopay debacle and the 2013 Fonterra recall.

Third term, 2014–2017

In what became known as the Waitangi dildo incident, a rubber sex toy was thrown at Joyce during an anti-TPPA protest at the 2016 Waitangi Day celebrations while he was speaking to media. The protester responsible, Josie Butler, a nurse from Christchurch, shouted "That’s for raping our sovereignty". She claimed she was protesting against the TPPA. She was taken away by police, but not charged.

On 20 December 2016, Joyce was appointed as Minister of Finance and Infrastructure. During the lead-up to the 2017 general election, Joyce alleged that there was an NZ$11 billion hole in the opposition Labour Party's fiscal plan. These charges were disputed by Labour politicians including Opposition Leader Jacinda Ardern and Deputy Leader Kelvin Davis.

During the 2017 election, Joyce stood on the National Party list and was re-elected. National won 44% of the popular vote and 56 seats; maintaining its plurality in the New Zealand House of Representatives. However, National fell short of the majority needed to govern alone. Following post-election negotiations, Labour formed a coalition government with the opposition New Zealand First and Green parties.

In Opposition, 2017–2018

Following the formation of a Labour-led coalition government, Joyce became the National Party's Spokesperson for Finance and Infrastructure. He was also allocated a seat on the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee. However, on 6 March 2018, Joyce announced he would resign from Parliament, reportedly after not being offered the Finance portfolio under new National leader Simon Bridges, who had replaced Bill English.

Post-parliamentary life

Consultancy career

In 2018, Joyce established a consultancy firm called "Joyce Advisory," which specialises in business strategy development and execution, brand development and consumer preferences, reputation and crisis management, and regulatory issues. He has been retained by various businesses including property development and engineering. According to political scientist Bryce Edwards, Joyce maintains close ties with the National Party and provided advice in the area of policy development.

In June 2023, Radio New Zealand (RNZ) reported that the University of Waikato had paid nearly NZ$1 million in consultancy fees to Joyce Advisory. In July 2023, National pledged to establish a third medical school at Waikato University while campaigning for the 2023 New Zealand general election. Waikato University then hired Joyce's former press secretary and political advisor Anna Lillis to promote the school. However the university said that Joyce had no involvement in conducting government relations or lobbying work for the institution. In response, Tertiary Education Union's Waikato University organiser Shane Vugler criticised the university leadership for compromising its political independence. In early May 2024, the Auditor-General John Ryan criticised Waikato University for not engaging in a competitive procurement process when contracting the services of Joyce Advisory. The University paid NZ$1.1 million in public funds to Joyce Advisory between 2019 and 2023.

NZME chairman, 2025– present

In early May 2025, Joyce expressed interest in replacing media company NZME's chairman Barbara Chapman in anticipation of a shareholders meeting scheduled for 3 June 2025. On 3 June 2025, Joyce was appointed as NZME's chairman following a board meeting.

Honours and awards

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2d/Steven_Joyce_CNZM_investiture.jpg" caption="Dame Cindy Kiro]], at [[Government House, Auckland]], on 30 September 2025"] ::

In the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours, Joyce was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services as a Member of Parliament.

Personal life

Joyce lives in Albany with his wife Suzanne; they have two children.

References

  1. Young, Audrey. (20 March 2010). "Steven Joyce becomes Govt's 'everywhere man'". [[New Zealand Herald]].
  2. Gower, Patrick. (3 October 2009). "Key lieutenant makes most of a fast start". [[The New Zealand Herald]].
  3. (6 March 2018). "Steven Joyce resigns from Parliament". [[Newshub]].
  4. Joyce, Steven. (May 2018). "Joyce Advisory".
  5. (27 October 2023). "The Vested Interests Shaping National Party Policies". [[Scoop (website).
  6. (2023-06-13). "Cash-strapped Waikato University has paid former cabinet minister Steven Joyce nearly $1 million".
  7. (5 September 2023). "University of Waikato boss referred to new medical school as a 'present' for future National government". [[Radio New Zealand]].
  8. (3 June 2025). "NZME board reshuffle: Steven Joyce chair, Jim Grenon director". [[The New Zealand Herald]].
  9. (17 November 2008). "Former campaign boss the bolter in Key's Cabinet". [[New Zealand Herald]].
  10. Roughan, John. (16 October 2008). "A word with... Steven Joyce". [[New Zealand Herald]].
  11. Dudding, Adam. (16 November 2008). "Key's six million dollar man – Steven Joyce". Sunday Star Times.
  12. eleven https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Massey_University_Academic_Record_-_Steven_Leonard_Joyce.pdf
  13. "Finance Minister Steven Joyce confirms he dropped out of uni economics papers". [[The New Zealand Herald]].
  14. "Candidates' Bios, Alphabetically By Constituencies".
  15. "Party Lists of Successful Registered Parties". [[Electoral Commission (New Zealand).
  16. "New face at helm of Jasons Travel Media".
  17. Bennett, Adam. (16 September 2010). "Minister admits driving offences". [[The New Zealand Herald]].
  18. "Appointment of Ministers" (21 November 2008), 179 [http://www.dia.govt.nz/MSOS118/On-Line/NZGazette.nsf/6cee7698a9bbc7cfcc256d510059ed0b/8155efb9e8df9c7ecc25750f0047784d!OpenDocument ''New Zealand Gazette''], pg. 4635.
  19. "Members of Executive Council Appointed" (21 November 2008), 179 [http://www.dia.govt.nz/MSOS118/On-Line/NZGazette.nsf/6cee7698a9bbc7cfcc256d510059ed0b/f0b26c54c2b6dd0ecc25750f00477759!OpenDocument ''New Zealand Gazette''], pg. 4634.
  20. Williams, David. (14 August 2009). "Cellphone ban comes with fines". [[The Press]].
  21. (3 March 2010). "NZ's right-hand rule set for change". [[The New Zealand Herald]].
  22. (March 2010). "Safer Journeys, First Actions". Ministry of Transport.
  23. (3 March 2010). "Editorial: Cabinet keeps to slow lane on driving age". [[The New Zealand Herald]].
  24. Orsman, Bernard. "Joyce adamant on city transport giant". [[The New Zealand Herald]].
  25. "Appointment of Ministers" (27 January 2010) 5 [http://www.dia.govt.nz/MSOS118/On-Line/NZGazette.nsf/658bf950ed55760ccc256ce40072801f/e6113ed4e16f69d9cc2576bb00005bcb!OpenDocument ''New Zealand Gazette''], pg. 221.
  26. "Vice Regal: Appointment of Ministers" (15 December 2011) 193 [http://www.dia.govt.nz/MSOS118/On-Line/NZGazette.nsf/6cee7698a9bbc7cfcc256d510059ed0b/70c282b39a4e2bb2cc2579670056d474!OpenDocument ''New Zealand Gazette''], pg. 5651; accessed 25 January 2016.
  27. "Resignation of Ministers" (14 December 2011), 193 [http://www.dia.govt.nz/MSOS118/On-Line/NZGazette.nsf/6cee7698a9bbc7cfcc256d510059ed0b/cfb97492cb44db4fcc2579670056d217!OpenDocument ''New Zealand Gazette''], pg. 5650.
  28. (13 May 2013). "SkyCity convention centre set to create 800 jobs – Joyce". TV NZ.
  29. (13 May 2013). "SkyCity's pokie full house". [[Stuff (website).
  30. Espiner, Colin. (7 August 2013). "Mr Fixit in charge of dairy scare". Fairfax.
  31. Elle Hunt. "New Zealand MP 'Dildo Baggins' cops sex toy in the face and takes ribbing on the chin". [[The Guardian]].
  32. "Hon Steven Joyce". [[New Zealand Parliament]].
  33. (5 September 2017). "An '$11 billion hole': Expert analysis of Labour's fiscal plan after Steven Joyce called it a 'fiscal hole'". [[The New Zealand Herald]].
  34. (8 September 2017). "Steven Joyce's 'big fat lie' has backfired – Kelvin Davis". [[Newshub]].
  35. "2017 General Election – Successful candidates". [[Electoral Commission (New Zealand).
  36. "2017 General Election – Official Results". Electoral Commission.
  37. Chapman, Grant. (19 October 2017). "Full video: NZ First leader Winston Peters announces next Government". [[Newshub]].
  38. Hurley, Emma. (19 October 2017). "An 'historic moment' for the Green Party – James Shaw". [[Newshub]].
  39. (13 June 2023). "Waikato University pays firm nearly $1million for advice". [[Radio New Zealand]].
  40. (5 July 2023). "National backs third medical school in Waikato". [[Stuff (website).
  41. (7 July 2023). "National pledges Dunedin hospital budget boost". [[Otago Daily Times]].
  42. (3 May 2024). "Auditor-General criticises way University of Waikato contracted Steven Joyce". [[Radio New Zealand]].
  43. (6 May 2025). "Media Insider: NZME board battle – former National Party minister Steven Joyce in line to be director and chair amid raft of confirmed and new board nominations". [[The New Zealand Herald]].
  44. (2 June 2025). "King's Birthday Honours: Dai Henwood, Tim Southee and Jude Dobson among those recognised". [[RNZ News]].

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