Steven Joyce

Steven Joyce
Born	Steven Leonard Joyce (1963-04-07) April 7, 1963 New Zealand
Occupation(s)	Politician, businessman
Years active	1980s–present
Known for	New Zealand National Party MP, Minister of Finance, broadcasting entrepreneur
Notable work	Founder of RadioWorks, Ministerial roles in New Zealand government

Steven Leonard Joyce (born 7 April 1963) is a former New Zealand politician who became a member of the New Zealand House of Representatives in 2008, representing the New Zealand National Party. Prior to his political career, he was a successful broadcasting entrepreneur with RadioWorks, having amassed considerable wealth. Upon entering government in 2008, he was named Minister of Transport as well as Minister for Communications and Information Technology. Subsequently, he held portfolios including Minister of Science and Innovation, Minister of Finance, and Minister for Infrastructure.

On 6 March 2018, following an unsuccessful attempt to lead his party, Joyce declared his departure from politics. He then established a consultancy business called Joyce Advisory, which developed strong connections with the National Party. In 2023, reports linked Joyce Advisory to efforts aimed at influencing National Party support for the University of Waikato to become the site of New Zealand’s proposed third medical school; however, the university denied that Joyce provided lobbying or government relations services.

In June 2025, Joyce took on the role of chairman at media company New Zealand Media and Entertainment, which owns The New Zealand Herald and the radio station Newstalk ZB.

Early life

Joyce was raised by parents who worked as grocers. He attended Francis Douglas Memorial College before enrolling at Massey University with an initial focus on veterinary science but did not meet the entry requirements. Instead, he graduated with a BSc in zoology. While studying, he gained experience as a presenter and programme director on student radio. Between 1982 and 1986, he undertook fifteen economics courses at Massey University but withdrew from or failed several.

Broadcasting career

After completing university, Joyce collaborated with friends including radio personality Jeremy Corbett to launch Energy FM in New Plymouth. Over a span of 17 years, he and his partners expanded RadioWorks into a network comprising 22 stations employing around 650 people. Joyce stepped down as Managing Director in April 2001 when CanWest purchased RadioWorks; he earned approximately $6 million from the transaction.

Following this business success, he became involved with the New Zealand National Party, managing election campaigns in both 2005 and 2008. Although initially announced as a list candidate in 2002, he was ultimately not included on the finalized list. Additionally, Joyce served as CEO of Jasons Travel Media until 2008.

In 2010, while serving as Minister of Transport, Joyce publicly revealed two driving convictions from the late 1980s related to careless driving fines and licence suspension.

First term, 2008–2011

On 8 November 2008, Joyce entered Parliament as a list-only candidate ranked sixteenth on the party list during the 2008 election, becoming part of the Fifth National Government of New Zealand within the 49th New Zealand Parliament. He represented the New Zealand National Party.

During his initial term as an MP, Joyce was appointed Minister of Transport and Minister for Communications and Information Technology. He also joined the Executive Council and received the honorific The Honourable Steven Leonard Joyce, MP. His period in office saw significant transport policy changes including the introduction in November 2009 of a ban on cellphone use while driving. In 2010, under his oversight, New Zealand reversed its distinctive right-hand rule at intersections and raised the minimum driving age from 15 to 16 years; both reforms followed cabinet approval and public consultation.

The increase in driving age attracted criticism for being conservative compared to expert advice advocating for raising it to 18 years. Furthermore, Joyce contributed to creating Auckland Transport as a council-controlled organisation aimed at enhancing delivery of regional transport initiatives.

In January 2010, he was additionally appointed Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment, succeeding Anne Tolley.

Second term, 2011–2014

In the 2011 election for the 50th New Zealand Parliament, Joyce secured his position as a list member ranked 13th and was appointed Minister for Economic Development within the Fifth National Government of New Zealand. His prior responsibility as Minister of Transport was transferred to Gerry Brownlee.

In May 2013, Joyce authorized an agreement with casino operator Skycity Auckland that allowed for the installation of an extra 230 pokie machines and 40 gambling tables. This deal included a commitment to develop a $402 million convention centre, expected to generate approximately 800 new jobs.

By August 2013, he was assigned to investigate two major issues: the Novopay payroll system failure and the 2013 Fonterra recall, both of which had significant implications for public confidence and economic stability.

Third term, 2014–2017

During the 2016 Waitangi Day commemorations, Joyce became the focus of the widely covered Waitangi dildo incident amid protests opposing the TPPA, reflecting heightened tensions surrounding trade agreements.

On 20 December 2016, Joyce assumed the roles of Minister of Finance and Minister for Infrastructure. Ahead of the 2017 election, he publicly alleged that Labour’s fiscal strategy contained an NZ$11 billion shortfall—a claim contested by opposition figures such as Jacinda Ardern and Kelvin Davis.

Joyce retained his seat on the National Party list in 2017. Although National garnered 44% of votes and secured 56 seats, it did not achieve a majority. Consequently, Labour formed a coalition government with New Zealand First and the Green Party.

In Opposition, 2017–2018

Following the formation of the Labour-led administration, Joyce took on the role of National Party Spokesperson for Finance and Infrastructure and participated in the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee. On 6 March 2018, he announced his departure from Parliament, reportedly due to being overlooked for the Finance portfolio under new National leader Simon Bridges.

Consultancy career

In 2018, Joyce established Joyce Advisory, a consultancy firm focusing on business strategy, brand development, reputation management, and regulatory compliance. The company has provided services to clients in sectors such as property development and engineering. Political analyst Bryce Edwards observed that Joyce maintained close connections with the National Party by offering policy guidance.

In June 2023, Radio New Zealand revealed that the University of Waikato had paid nearly NZ$1 million in consultancy fees to Joyce Advisory. The following month, during the 2023 New Zealand general election, National committed to creating a third medical school at Waikato University. Subsequently, Waikato University employed Joyce’s former press secretary Anna Lillis to promote this initiative but clarified that Joyce himself was not involved in government relations or lobbying efforts. The Tertiary Education Union criticized university leadership for undermining political independence.

In May 2024, Auditor-General John Ryan censured Waikato University for failing to carry out a competitive procurement process when engaging Joyce Advisory. Between 2019 and 2023, public funds amounting to NZ$1.1 million were paid by the university to the consultancy.

NZME chairman, 2025–present

In May 2025, Joyce announced his plan to succeed Barbara Chapman as chairman of NZME prior to the shareholders' meeting scheduled for 3 June. Subsequently, on 3 June 2025, following the board assembly, he officially assumed the role of NZME chairman.

Honours and awards

During the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours, Joyce was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in recognition of his contributions to parliamentary service.

Personal life

Joyce lives in Albany with his spouse Suzanne; together they have two children.

External links

• MediaWorks repays 'Joyce loan' for radio licences, nzherald.co.nz, 4 October 2012; accessed 26 January 2017.
• Profile, national.org.nz; accessed 26 January 2017.

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