Episode 197: Nancy Lu

Harita interviews Nancy Lu. Nancy is a Member of the New Zealand Parliament representing the National Party, a distinguished chartered accountant, and a dedicated advocate for diverse communities and working families. Bringing a unique blend of high-level corporate expertise, Ivy League public administration training, and deep-rooted bicultural insight to the New Zealand Parliament, Nancy represents a modern generation of leadership focused on building a resilient, prosperous, and economically sound future for all New Zealanders. Born in China, Nancy migrated to New Zealand with her parents in 1997 at the age of nine, settling in Auckland. She grew up within the local kiwi education system, attending Avondale Primary School, Pakuranga Intermediate, and Macleans College. Her stellar academic journey laid a strong foundation for her career, beginning at the University of Auckland, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree, earning First Class Honours in International Business alongside a double major in Accounting. Years later, committed to expanding her governance and policymaking expertise, she advanced her education internationally, completing a Master in Public Administration (MPA) at the prestigious Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Before entering public service, Nancy established herself as a formidable finance professional and commercial strategist. A Chartered Accountant by profession, she spent years working in New Zealand, Hong Kong, and mainland China across premier global auditing firms and major commercial enterprises. Her extensive corporate portfolio includes professional tenures at PwC and Ernst & Young (EY), financial management roles at Fonterra, and strategic expertise within the international shipping and retail trade sectors. Furthermore, she contributed directly to local government development by serving as a chief financial strategist for the Auckland Council, balancing complex public financial management with community-focused growth initiatives. Nancy’s entry into formal politics was preceded by nearly a decade of active, grassroots involvement within the National Party, where she served on the National Professional Committee and contributed to community engagement initiatives. Following her election to Parliament, she has brought her commercial acumen directly to central government, serving diligently on the Finance and Expenditure Committee and taking on roles such as the Deputy Chair of the Regulations Review Committee. Her legislative priorities are heavily focused on reducing the cost of living, optimizing international trade opportunities, cutting unnecessary regulatory red tape, and advocating for impactful investments in education, healthcare, and ethnic community mental health services. As a trilingual leader fluent in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese, Nancy bridges cultural and economic divides, actively strengthening relationships between government bodies, export businesses, and diverse migrant communities. Residing in Auckland with her husband and family, she balances the demands of parliamentary life with the responsibilities of being a proud working mother. Nancy remains deeply committed to ensuring that New Zealand remains a safe, ambitious, and opportunity-rich home capable of nurturing successive generations to achieve their full potential.