Parliamentarians

Auckland

Melissa Lee, National MP

Melissa entered Parliament as a National list MP following Nationals victory in the 2008 election. Her election made her the first Korean women to hold office outside of Korea, and New Zealands first Korean MP.

Born in Korea, and growing up in Malaysia, Melissa moved to New Zealand as a young adult in 1988. Melissas background has ensured her place as a strong advocate for New Zealand's diverse ethnic communities within the National Government.

Melissas parliamentary career follows more than 20 years experience in New Zealand journalism in both print and television.  She also enjoyed fifteen years as the presenter and producer on TVNZs Asia Dynamic and Asia Down Under with 600 episodes to her credit.

Melissa holds an MA with first class Honours in Communication Studies, and has held positions as a Vice President of the Korean Society, Vice-President of the Korean Womens Association, Board member of the Asia-Pacific Producers Network, advisor to the National Unification Council of Korea, and an Asian advisor to the Auckland Police.

Melissa is passionate about creating a safer New Zealand, and has been an advocate of better policing and tougher sentencing for serious crimes in New Zealand.

Her vision is for a country that is safe, secure, and prosperous.

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Melissa Lee MP