Carl Michael Bates, born on March 13, 1983, in Whanganui, New Zealand, grew up attending Mosston School, Rutherford Junior High, and Whanganui High School. Leaving school after Year 12, he pursued a Bachelor of Business Studies in Accountancy extramurally at Massey University while working full-time at McDonald’s. A driven entrepreneur, Bates founded Sirdar Global Group, a company training corporate boards, operating in New Zealand and Africa, and sold it upon returning to New Zealand in 2020. Carl Michael Bates Biography, Political Career & Parliamentary Role
He also co-founded the Contribution Compass, a personality profiling tool, and authored two self-published books on business success. His early governance roles included directorships at an aged care facility at 18, Arena Manawatu, and the Universal College of Learning (UCOL). Named Young Business Person of the Year at the 2016 Wellington Regional Business Excellence Awards, Bates became one of the youngest Chartered Fellows of the Institute of Directors in 2022. His international experience spans 10 years in Johannesburg, where he developed expertise in governance and boardroom dynamics.
2. Politician (Carl Michael Bates Biography)
Bates joined the New Zealand National Party at age 13, campaigning for Peter Gresham in 1996. His political career took shape in 2023 when he won the Whanganui electorate candidacy, defeating Labour’s Steph Lewis by 5,070 votes with 16,446 votes in the general election. Motivated by concerns over government spending and economic challenges, Bates aimed to bring his business acumen to politics. His campaign was high-energy, with over 30 visits to Stratford and regular electorate-wide appearances, earning him the nickname “Mr Everywhere.” Bates advocates for National Party values like hard work and reward for achievement, focusing on policies such as repealing Three Waters, reforming the Resource Management Act, and supporting regional deals to boost local economies. His commitment to Whanganui includes fostering business growth and addressing the region’s below-average household income.
3. Parliament
Elected to the 54th New Zealand Parliament on October 14, 2023, Carl Bates serves as the MP for Whanganui, representing National. He is deputy chair of the Education and Workforce Select Committee and a member of the Petitions Committee, roles that align with his focus on education and community engagement. In his maiden speech on January 30, 2024, delivered to over 60 family and friends, Bates emphasized building a “First World economy” to fund healthcare, education, and social services, reflecting his fiscal conservatism. He has been active in legislative debates, supporting bills like the Regulatory Systems (Education) Amendment Bill and advocating for police vetting in childcare facilities, drawing from personal experience as a parent. Bates hosted Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Whanganui in April 2024, highlighting local healthcare and business innovation, and opened electorate offices in Whanganui and Hāwera to serve constituents.
4. Lifestyle
Bates’ lifestyle blends professional intensity with community connection. Living on the outskirts of Whanganui, he values local engagement, frequently attending markets, park runs, and community events. His return to New Zealand in 2020 after a decade in South Africa allowed him to prioritize family time, such as taking his sons to kindergarten and swimming lessons. A self-described “tranquil” election day in 2023 included a park run and market visit. Bates’ governance work previously involved 92 flights annually, but he now uses Zoom for international commitments, balancing board roles in New Zealand, Australia, Africa, and Asia. His passion for youth development is evident in co-founding the United Nations Youth Association of New Zealand in 1999 and opening the 2024 NZ Model United Nations.
5. Wife & Child
Carl Bates is married to Candice, a veterinary surgeon in a rural Whanganui practice. They have two sons, Angus and Logan. Candice’s professional commitments complement Bates’ busy schedule, and their partnership was pivotal in his decision to stand for Parliament, requiring a significant life restructuring. In his maiden speech, Bates acknowledged Candice and their sons, emphasizing family as a cornerstone of his values. He also paid tribute to his grandmothers, Shirley Bates and June Hudson, and noted seven of his eight great-grandparents were alive at his birth, underscoring a strong family legacy. The family’s community involvement, from Christmas parades to local healthcare advocacy, reflects their commitment to Whanganui.
