Natalia Albert | |
|---|---|
| 5th Deputy Leader of The Opportunities Party | |
| Assumed office 4 August 2023 | |
| Leader | Raf Manji |
| Preceded by | Shai Navot and Jessica Hammond |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Mexico City, Mexico |
| Political party | The Opportunities Party (TOP) |
| Alma mater | Victoria University of Wellington ( master's degree) |
Natalia Llorente Albert [1] is a New Zealand politician, former public servant and businesswoman who is currently serving as the Deputy Leader of The Opportunities Party (TOP).
Early life
Albert was born in Mexico City as an only child to her mother who was a Mexican diplomat. She spent most of her life travelling around the world to various different countries including Canada and the United States. Albert grew up speaking fluently in English and Spanish. Albert moved to New Zealand in 2011, to join her parents in Wellington, where they had resided. [2]
Albert had also been the director and founder of TedXWellingtonWomen which was founded in 2013 by Albert in order to promote diversity and women's rights. [3] She had also been the producer of an entertainment firm and served as the Chief Operating Officer of the Inspiring Stories Trust. [4]
Political career
Although Albert had worked within Government agencies and sectors as a public servant, she first entered the political sphere in 2023, running for The Opportunities Party in Wellington Central. [5]
As Wellington Central candidate, Albert had swiftly made a name for herself and quickly climbed up the ranks of The Opportunities Party, quickly reaching Number 2 on the list and being appointed as the Deputy Leader of The Opportunities Party in a candidate list announcement on 4 August 2023, by party leader Raf Manji. [6]
Albert had stated that her party's role in the 2023 general election was that of advocacy and holding some of the more mainstream New Zealand political parties to account, when it came to their engagement within ethnic as well as migrant communities. [7]
Albert had also accounted some of the troubles and fears associated with being a woman and seeking political office in New Zealand. She stated that it was highly likely she would not door knock past 5pm and would travel with a group. [8]
Albert stated during the Aro Valley debate, that she was primarily seeking for the party vote, rather than the electorate vote. She made clear emphasis and spent her speaking time explaining some of the merits of "cross-party solidarity." [9]
During the 2023 election held on 14 October, Albert came fourth place in Wellington Central with 1,554 votes. [10] TOP received 2.22% of the party vote, below the five percent threshold needed to enter Parliament. [11]
Personal life
Albert had completed her Masters of Political Science at Victoria University of Wellington on 18 August 2023. Her thesis was regarding Diversifying leadership within the Public Service Sphere of New Zealand. [1] She is now working towards her Doctoral Degree in political sciences, while actively campaigning for Wellington Central and The Opportunities Party. [5]
Prior to arriving in New Zealand, Albert had held a degree in business and had managerial experience in the hotel sector. [12]
References
- ^ a b Albert, Natalia (14 August 2023). "Diversifying Leadership within the New Zealand Public Service:How institutional will becomes an institutional wall". Victoria University of Wellington. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
- ^ Baker, Glenn (25 April 2016). "The Diplomat's Daughter". NZ Business. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
- ^ "Natalia Albert". Super Diverse Women NZ. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
- ^ "IPANZ Information profile". IPANZ. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
- ^ a b "Wellington Central: Fresh faces in a hotly-contested race". 1 News. 18 July 2023. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
- ^ "TOP Candidate List". The Opportunities Party. 4 August 2023. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
- ^ Menon, Venu (25 August 2023). "Candidates engage with ethnic communities in Wellington". Indian Newslink. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
- ^ Witton, Bridie (8 August 2023). "Death threats, no canvassing after dark: Life on the 2023 election campaign trail". The Post. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
- ^ "Free waters: Political bedlam returns to Aro Valley". Spinoff. 5 September 2023. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
- ^ "Wellington Central - Official Result". Electoral Commission. Archived from the original on 7 November 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
- ^ "2023 General Election - Official Result". Electoral Commission. 3 November 2023. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
- ^ McDonald, Dani (9 March 2018). "Women's forum to speak on diversity in New Zealand". Stuff. Retrieved 4 September 2023.