Background

Andrew Bayly - Chartered Accountant, former Member of Parliament and Government Minister

Profile

Andrew Bayly's experience represents a unique combination of deep government expertise and extensive commercial acumen. As a Member of Parliament for over eleven years and a former Government Minister, he possesses an intimate understanding of the mechanics of government, policy development, and legislative processes.

Before entering Parliament, Andrew built a successful 30-year business career spanning merchant banking, corporate advisory, and private enterprise. He co-founded Cranleigh Merchant Bank in 1997, which provided investment banking services to government, local authorities, and corporate clients across Australasia and Asia.

Andrew is entrepreneurial with an outstanding background in business development. He has the ability to synthesise complex information and situations, make decisions in a dispassionate fashion, and drive timely results. His track record demonstrates strong team leadership and the ability to attract and develop talent.

Government Experience

Ministerial Appointments

In the National-led Coalition Government (2023–2025), Andrew held the following ministerial portfolios:

  • Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
  • Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing (New Zealand's first Minister of Manufacturing)
  • Minister of Statistics
  • Minister for ACC (Accident Compensation Commission)

Key Ministerial Achievements

  • Clarified the roles of the Financial Markets Authority, Commerce Commission, and Reserve Bank of New Zealand
  • Initiated the first review of New Zealand's competition settings in 20 years
  • Led reforms to the insurance industry resulting in the first substantial legislative upgrade in 30 years
  • Drove reforms to facilitate open banking through the Customer and Product Data Act 2025
  • Undertook work to modernise and digitalise the Companies Act 1993
  • Developed the Government's response to financial scams, negotiating new codes with banks
  • Led policy development resulting in financial literacy being added to the school curriculum
  • Introduced accelerated depreciation on plant and equipment in Budget 2025
  • Imposed requirements on government entities to pay creditors within 10 working days

Parliamentary Experience

  • Member of Parliament for Port Waikato (2020–present) and Hunua (2014–2020)
  • Chair of the Justice Select Committee (current)
  • Former Chair of the Environment and Local Government Select Committee
  • Longest serving member of the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee (2014–2023)
  • Successfully passed two members' bills: Arbitration Amendment Bill (2019) and New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Income (Fair Residency) Amendment Bill (2021)
  • Chair of the 3rd Antarctic Parliamentarians Assembly (December 2025)
  • Elected Chair of the Steering Group for APA 2027

Shadow Cabinet Roles

In Opposition, Andrew held portfolios including Shadow Treasurer, Revenue, Infrastructure, Commerce & Consumer Affairs, State Owned Enterprises, Building & Construction, Small Business and Manufacturing, and Statistics.

Business Career

Banking & Advisory

  • Managing Director & Co-Founder Cranleigh Merchant Bankers (Auckland, Wellington, Sydney, Melbourne, Singapore) 1997 – 2014

    Provided corporate advisory and investment banking services to government, local authorities and corporate clients. Led the Mergers & Acquisitions team. Specialised in health, infrastructure, property, food and agriculture, economic development, and tertiary sectors.

  • Corporate Finance Banker Southpac Merchant Finance (Auckland) & Lloyds Merchant Bank (London) 1986 – 1995

    Managed the listing of over 25 companies on London and New Zealand stock markets. Executed mergers and acquisitions and provided strategic advice to governments, SOEs, councils, and corporates.

  • Auditor Peat Marwick (now KPMG) 1984 – 1986

Governance Roles

  • Chair Reef Group (shipping, gas & fuel, horticulture across the Pacific)
  • Chair Financial Planning New Zealand
  • Director Enterprise Franklin (economic development, south Auckland)

Business Ownership

  • Envirofert – 100-acre composting and 40-acre cleanfill operation. Winner of 2006 Franklin Business of the Year and Ministry for Environment's 2010 Green Ribbon Award for Large Scale Diversion from Landfill
  • Agriculture – 4,500 acre hill country farm south of Taumarunui
  • Manufacturing & Print – Dataprint (electronic mail), Dexterity Print Finishers
  • Various enterprises including waste management, school clothing, café, and property development

Qualifications

Education

  • Bachelor of Business Studies (Accounting & Finance), Massey University
  • Wanganui Collegiate School

Professional Memberships

FCA Fellow Chartered Accountant of New Zealand and Australia
FCCA Fellow of the UK Chartered Association of Certified Accountants
FCGNZ Fellow of the Chartered Governance Institute New Zealand
FCCM Fellow of the NZ Chartered Institute of Corporate Management
FRGS Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, London

Military Service

  • Former Officer, New Zealand Territorial Army
  • Former Officer, British Parachute Regiment (TA)

Sector Expertise

Over a 30-year career, Andrew has gained deep understanding of:

Financial Services

Banking, capital markets, investment, mergers & acquisitions

Utilities & Infrastructure

Water, wastewater, electricity, waste management

Primary Industries

Agriculture, agritech, environmental services

Property & Construction

Building, construction, property development

Manufacturing

Manufacturing, defence, print and media

Government & Policy

Legislative reform, regulatory frameworks, policy development