Latest news with #Unkovich
1News
2 days ago
- Politics
- 1News
NZ First MP suddenly quits Parliament
NZ First MP Tanya Unkovich will resign from Parliament, 1News can reveal. It's understood the surprise decision was formalised this week after careful consideration and is set to be announced publicly later today. Unkovich entered Parliament as a new MP following the general election in 2023. According to her biography on the NZ First website, before entering politics she was self-employed and worked as a public speaker, having published several books as an international life and business coach. It's believed the MP's departure comes in part as a result of her coaching and consultancy work with a view to heading back to the private sector. ADVERTISEMENT She caused controversy early in her term after being linked to an anti-Covid vaccine channel, and has faced attacks after introducing NZ First's 'Fair Access to Bathrooms Bill'. The law would, if it had become law, required separate, unisex and single sex bathrooms. She later dropped that bill, introducing a bill to improve access to palliative care. In a statement, Unkovich said she had made the decision to resign after "careful consideration". "Serving in the public sector has been a great honour and a unique opportunity, for this I am grateful for the trust placed into me. "I do believe, however, I can personally be of more service to New Zealanders through various avenues in the private sector, as well as coaching and consultancy." She said it had always been her "deepest desire to serve mankind" and that she had been privileged to be a voice to many in the community. "I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the New Zealand First caucus, party members, and in particular the Rt Hon Winston Peters for his strong leadership and commitment towards a greater New Zealand." Tanya Unkovich with copies of her book. (Source: Supplied) ADVERTISEMENT In a post on her Instagram page today Unkovich said she had intended to travel to the US this Sunday to take part in a podcast with her publisher, however, due to 'situations worldwide' the decision was made to delay the trip. Unkovich is promoting the republishing of her book Grief to Greatness which aims to help readers rediscover joy after loss, grief and hardship. The MP has spoken publicly about her own struggles with eating issues and body dysmorphia when she was young, as well as the grief of losing her first husband to cancer at the age of 40. Replacement aims to be 'good parliamentarian' Replacing Unkovich in the NZ First list will be David Wilson, a former chief executive from Whangārei who's worked in various roles across economic and regional development. Speaking exclusively to 1News Wilson said he was preparing to make his way to the capital over the coming weeks to 'learn the rules' of Parliament. 'I want to be a good parliamentarian that works for the party's values and policies and put my head down and use what skills and experience I have to that end,' Wilson said. ADVERTISEMENT Wilson has stood as a candidate for NZ First in the past three general elections. Dr David Wilson becomes NZ First's new MP. (Source: Supplied) Now with Unkovich moving on the soon-to-be MP is excited for what's ahead. 'I'll have my head down over the next couple of weeks looking at all of the policies we're covering and getting an understanding of what's in front of us,' he said. He said Unkovich was leaving for 'legitimate' reasons and wished her well. 'Tanya is a lovely, lovely person,' he said. 'You know what it's like being a parliamentarian, it's not easy, and of course she has a very strong private career and so I wish her well.'
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
NZ First list MP quits Parliament
New Zealand First MP Tanya Unkovich. Photo: VNP / Phil Smith New Zealand First List MP Tanya Unkovich has resigned, saying she serves New Zealanders better in the private sector. In a statement, the Auckland-based MP said serving in the public sector had been a great honour, but she believed she could serve better in the private sector, as well as coaching and consultancy. Before becoming an MP, Unkovich was a self-employed international life and business coach. "It has always been my deepest desire to serve mankind, and in my work as a Member of Parliament I have been privileged to be a voice to many in the community who need it the most," Unkovich said. "I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the New Zealand First caucus, party members, and in particular the Rt Hon Winston Peters for his strong leadership and commitment towards a greater New Zealand." Economic development consultant David Wilson from Upper Harbour was next on the party's list. Unkovich was a member of select committees for social services, economic development, science and innovation. RNZ requested interviews with both Peters and Unkovich, but a spokesperson for the party said they had "no further comment at this stage".
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
NZ First MP Tanya Unkovich quits Parliament
New Zealand First MP Tanya Unkovich. Photo: VNP / Phil Smith New Zealand First List MP Tanya Unkovich has resigned, saying she serves New Zealanders better in the private sector. In a statement, the Auckland-based MP said serving in the public sector had been a great honour, but she believed she could serve better in the private sector, as well as coaching and consultancy. Before becoming an MP, Unkovich was a self-employed international life and business coach. "It has always been my deepest desire to serve mankind, and in my work as a Member of Parliament I have been privileged to be a voice to many in the community who need it the most," Unkovich said. "I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the New Zealand First caucus, party members, and in particular the Rt Hon Winston Peters for his strong leadership and commitment towards a greater New Zealand." Economic development consultant David Wilson from Upper Harbour was next on the party's list. Unkovich was a member of select committees for social services, economic development, science and innovation. RNZ requested interviews with both Peters and Unkovich, but a spokesperson for the party said they had "no further comment at this stage".
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Everybody's Got a Story: Dive-In Arcade
PEORIA, Ill (WMBD) — Behind a 'secret entrance' is a three-for-one special over on North Orange Prairie Road in Peoria. 'We were excited about providing a destination for families to come. You can do your swim lessons, you can get pizza and then hop over for some fun at the arcade,' co-owner of 'Dive-In Arcade' Alison Unkovich said. Unkovich and her husband Matt opened Aqua Tots last year and with Brienzo's joining the business strip, opening the 'Dive-In Arcade' adds another piece to the entertainment puzzle. 'It is fun for all ages. Teenagers, young kiddos, parents, grandparents. It just really provides an atmosphere where you can come and have a good time with your family,' Unkovich said. Of course, while I was at the arcade, I had to play some of the games! My Skee ball skills, not the greatest. My basketball skills though, still pure! There's an arcade game for everyone. 'We wanted to provide a nice mix of games. There are some popular Jurassic Park games, the racing games or there's a surf game for the kiddos, but also some fun games where you can win prizes,' Unkovich said. We wanted to make sure to include Papa shot basketball challenges that you can do with a buddy or a parent or a sibling.' The reward of winning big on the games means there are some excellent prizes to choose from. All of it culminates in a great time for the community. 'It's been fun to come in here with my own kids and some fun together and compete with each other. It's just been nice way to spend time together as a family and then to see other families in the community enjoying that and making memories together,' Unkovich said. The 'Dive-In Arcade' has some exciting promotions coming up. You can find them here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
