Erica Stanford: Biography, Age, Office, Education, Children, Husband

May 27, 2024 Off By Chloe Lee

Erica Stanford (born 14 August 1978) is a New Zealand politician. She is a Member of Parliament in the House of Representatives for the National Party. She is the 49th Minister of Education and the 60th Minister of Immigration.

Stanford worked for former New Zealand politician Murray McCully for four years. She has produced many local television shows, including Piha Rescue. She also worked in export sales roles for New Zealand manufacturers.

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Erica Stanford
Hon. Erica Stanford has been the Minister of Education of New Zealand since 2023.
Quick Facts
Name:	Erica Louise Stanford
Born:	14 August 1978 (age 45 years old), East Coast Bays
Nationality:	New Zealander
Education:	Politics
Alma mater:	University of Auckland
Occupation:	Politician
Political party:	National
Position:	Member of the New Zealand Parliament for East Coast Bays
Spouse:	Kane Stanford
Children:	Holly, Alex
Residence:	Okura, Auckland
Website:	www.ericastanfordmp.co.nz

Early Life

Erica Louise Stanford, née Poppelbaum, was born on 14 August 1978 in the East Coast Bays to a Dutch immigrant father. She grew up on the Okura estuary, a part of the Long Bay-Okura Marine Reserve. Her mother worked in their family business, growing hothouse grapes for export, while her father was an Air New Zealand jumbo pilot.

Education

Hon. Erica Stanford completed a Bachelor of Arts with First Class Honours in politics at the University of Auckland. She says Dr Raymond Miller, a lecturer, is the reason for her passion for politics.

Stanford studied at a prestigious New Zealand secondary school, Rangitoto College.

Career

Erica Stanford MP — *Stanford was honoured to help open the new Pinehurst School library.*

Stanford was an export manager for two iconic New Zealand manufacturers – Jason’s (placemats) and Autex (acoustic products).

Hon. Stanford has also worked as a producer of local TV shows. She produced the reality television show Noise Control and another show, Last Chance Dog. She worked on shows involving noise control officers, dog control teams, and the lifeguards of Piha Rescue.

After studying at the university, Stanford returned to politics. She got a job in the office of Murray McCully in 2013 and spent four years working for the former MP. About the same time, she joined the National Party.

Erica says Murray is her mentor and calls him a political master. Before running for Parliament, she served as Senior MP Support.

Stanford has represented the East Coast Bays as a Member of Parliament since 2017. She has supported East Coast Bays through many tough times. She supported clean-ups, grocery shopping during lockdown, and delivering food after floods.

After Hon. Murray McCully retired from Parliament in 2017, the Nats chose Stanford to replace him for East Coast Bays. She won the electorate with 66% of the vote in the 2017 general election,

During the 2020 election, Erica stood again and retained East Coast Bays by a margin of 8,764 votes. In the 2023 election, she retained East Coast Bays after winning Naisi Chen with 20,353 votes.

Erica assumed the portfolios of Education Minister and Immigration Minister after the formation of a National-led coalition government. She has advocated for the rights of migrants since Covid-19 closed New Zealand’s borders.

Personal Life

Erica Stanford is married to Kane Stanford. The duo met at the secondary school Rangitoto College. She has two children, Holly and Alex.

Hon. Stanford lives in Okura, Auckland. She has played hockey at East Coast Bays for over 20 years and is chair of the Browns Bay Business Association.