Katrina Shanks is a second-term list MP. She was the National candidate for Ohariu-Belmont in the 2005 election and helped National win the party vote in the seat, before entering parliament as a list MP in February 2007.
Born in 1969, Katrina was raised and educated in Dannevirke and Masterton. She graduated from Massey University with a Bachelor in Business Studies, and became a chartered accountant. She worked for Audit New Zealand, Newton Fund Management in the UK, and WestpacTrust before becoming a sole-practitioner.
Katrina specialised in business advisory services, assessing and managing the impact that regulatory conditions have on companies. She knows what it’s like to be self-employed, and understands the frustrations and triumphs of running a small business.
Katrina also understands the frustrations and triumphs of juggling parenthood with a career. For nine years she worked part-time, at home and in the office, so that she could spend as much time as possible with her three young children before they went to school.
Katrina entered politics to protect the things she treasured when she grew up, and to help make them available for all New Zealanders – a good education, strong families, great opportunities, safe and supportive communities, personal freedom, a healthy environment, and the Kiwi way of life.
