Raf Manji
Raf Manji | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1966 London, England |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, former investment banker |
| Years active | 2013–2023 (politics) |
| Known for | Leader of The Opportunities Party (2022–2023), Christchurch City Councillor (2013–2019) |
Raf Alfred Manji (born 1966) is a former politician from New Zealand, recognized for his knowledge in governance, finance, and social enterprise sectors. He served as the leader of The Opportunities Party (TOP) from 27 January 2022 until 3 December 2023.
Early life
Manji was born in London to a father of Indian Muslim heritage who worked as a banker and a mother of Irish Catholic background. He completed his undergraduate studies in economics and social studies at the University of Manchester. Following travels across Asia, he married a New Zealander and relocated to New Zealand in 2002. His academic qualifications also include a Graduate Diploma in Politics and a Master's degree in International Law and Politics from the University of Canterbury. Prior to his political career, Manji was employed as an investment banker and actively participated in charitable organizations, notably contributing to the Volunteer Army Foundation.
Political career
Encouraged by then-mayor Lianne Dalziel, Manji was elected to represent the Fendalton-Waimairi ward on the Christchurch City Council in 2013. He became a principal financial advisor to Dalziel, with support from Deputy Mayor Andrew Turner, taking on the role of deputy chair for financial committees and assisting with post-earthquake reconstruction efforts. He secured re-election in 2016.
In the 2017 New Zealand general election, Manji stood as an independent candidate for the Ilam seat, which has traditionally been held by the National Party. His campaign emphasized Christchurch’s recovery following the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, advocating for the establishment of a local housing investment fund and supporting Christchurch’s bid to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games. He finished second behind the incumbent National MP Gerry Brownlee, outperforming the candidate from the Labour Party.
Manji stepped down from his council position at the 2019 New Zealand local elections. In response to the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings, he connected issues of inequality stemming from financial deregulation to processes of radicalization and was appointed chair of an advisory panel overseeing funds raised for the victims. He launched a "listening project" that involved months-long engagement with affected individuals, and in 2020 he advocated for a government compensation package totaling $34.8 million.
On 27 January 2022, Manji assumed leadership of The Opportunities Party. He contested Ilam once more during the 2023 New Zealand general election, where he again placed second with 10,863 votes, trailing National’s Hamish Campbell. TOP garnered 2.22% of the party vote, falling short of the 5% threshold required for parliamentary representation.
Following TOP’s failure to win seats in Parliament at the 2023 election, Manji announced his resignation as party leader on 3 December 2023.