Judith Collins is a highly qualified and experienced lawyer and was a company director prior to being elected to the constituency seat of Clevedon in 2002. Following electorate boundary changes, Judith was elected MP for Papakura in 2008.
Judith has been awarded Bachelor of Laws, Master of Laws (with Honours) and Master of Taxation Studies degrees by the University of Auckland.
She has over 20 years professional experience as a lawyer. Prior to becoming an MP, she had been Chair of the Casino Control Authority, President of the Auckland District Law Society, Vice-President of the New Zealand Law Society and a public company director and chairperson.
In the area of Veterans' Affairs, Judith campaigned successfully to force an Inquiry into the effect of Agent Orange on War Veterans.
Judith is married and lives with her family in South Auckland. She is formerly a member of Rotary and Zonta International, an honourary member of the Royal New Zealand Naval Association (Counties Branch) and an Associate member of the Papakura, RNZRSA.
She was awarded the Ex-Vietnam Services Association Pin in 2004.