Casey Costello: Political Career and Ministerial Portfolios
Casey Costello is a prominent New Zealand politician and a member of the New Zealand First party. Since entering Parliament in 2023, she has held several high-profile ministerial roles, focusing on health, customs, immigration, and the welfare of senior citizens. Her tenure has been marked by significant policy shifts, particularly regarding tobacco regulation and national security.
Key Facts
- Party Affiliation: New Zealand First (currently ranked 3rd on the party list).
- Current Roles: Minister of Customs, Minister for Seniors, and Associate Minister for Health, Immigration, and Police.
- Key Legislative Focus: Repeal of the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Act 2022.
- Parliamentary Entry: Elected as a list MP on October 14, 2023.
- Notable Policy: Introduced a ban on disposable vapes and increased fines for selling vapes to minors.
Early Political Journey
Costello's entry into politics began in 2011 when she stood for Parliament in the Māngere electorate. Encouraged by her brother, Dominic Costello—who was the ACT New Zealand candidate for Te Atatū at the time—she ran under the ACT banner. Although she was ranked 34th on the party list, she was not elected during that cycle.
In 2019, Costello expanded her political involvement by joining the board of the New Conservatives Party, serving alongside David Moffett.
The 2023 General Election and Entry to Parliament
By 2023, Costello shifted her affiliation to New Zealand First, where she was ranked third on the party list and contested the Port Waikato electorate. During the party conference, she proposed removing the exclusive authority of the Waitangi Tribunal (the permanent commission of inquiry that makes recommendations on claims brought by Māori) to determine the meaning and effect of the Treaty of Waitangi. This proposal received support from senior leaders Winston Peters and Shane Jones.
Costello was elected as a list MP on October 14, 2023, following New Zealand First's 6.08% share of the party vote. While the Port Waikato electorate vote was cancelled due to the death of ACT candidate Neil Christensen, Costello contested the subsequent by-election on November 25, 2023, finishing in second place with 2,864 votes.
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Ministerial Portfolios and Policy Impact
Following the formation of a coalition government between New Zealand First, the National Party, and ACT New Zealand, Costello was appointed to several key roles in late November 2023.
Associate Health Minister
As Associate Minister of Health, Costello has focused heavily on tobacco and nicotine regulation. She spearheaded the repeal of the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Act 2022, arguing that the previous regime was an "untested" approach based on prohibition. She has advocated for a "practical, workable, and tested approach," suggesting that vaping could assist in reducing tobacco addiction.
Her tenure has seen several controversial proposals, including a suggested three-year freeze on Consumer Price Index-related excise increases for smoked tobacco. While Prime Minister Christopher Luxon later clarified that the government would not pause these tax increases, Costello continued to push for the decriminalization of oral nicotine products like snus and chewing tobacco.
Other health-related actions include:
- Introducing legislation to ban disposable vapes.
- Increasing the maximum fine for selling vapes to minors from $10,000 to $100,000.
- Sponsoring the repeal of the Therapeutic Products Act 2023.
- Directing Health New Zealand to use "clear language" (specifically regarding biological sex) in official communications.
Customs and Immigration
In her role as Minister of Customs and Associate Minister of Immigration, Costello has focused on border security and refugee support. In May 2025, she allocated NZ$35 million to combat drug smuggling and expand the New Zealand Customs Service's overseas presence. This was followed in May 2026 by a $70 million investment in three unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) to detect maritime smuggling below the waterline.
Additionally, she made the Community Organisation Refugee Sponsorship scheme permanent as of July 2026, expanding it to 200 spaces per year starting in 2027.
Associate Police and National Security
Costello established an Advisory Group in February 2025 to tackle transnational and serious organized crime. The group, funded by the proceeds of crime fund, warned that New Zealand is increasingly vulnerable to criminal networks from China, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Australia. Costello noted with surprise that New Zealand was the only "Five Eyes" country lacking a formal anti-corruption strategy.
Minister for Seniors
As Minister for Seniors, Costello has faced criticism from the opposition regarding her activity level in the portfolio. While critics claimed she was "missing in action," Costello defended her record, stating that the Office for Seniors is a small agency focused on cross-government coordination. She highlighted ongoing work regarding aged-care improvements and the review of the Retirement Villages Act.
In October 2025, she disputed a report by the NZ Nurses Organisation titled Care in Crisis, which alleged widespread neglect in residential aged-care. Costello argued the report provided a "distorted picture" and pointed to $270 million in additional government funding provided over two years.
Summary of Ministerial Activity
| Portfolio | Key Initiatives / Actions | Notable Outcomes/Controversies |
|---|---|---|
| Health | Repeal of Smokefree legislation; Disposable vape ban. | Ombudsman rebukes over OIA information; Tobacco tax freeze debate. |
| Customs | Investment in UUVs and overseas presence. | NZ$105 million total budget allocation (2025-2026). |
| Police | Organised Crime Advisory Group. | Identification of lack of anti-corruption strategy. |
| Seniors | Aged-care funding and Retirement Villages Act review. | Dispute over Care in Crisis report findings. |
| Immigration | Community Organisation Refugee Sponsorship. | Scheme made permanent and expanded to 200 spaces. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Casey Costello's current political party?
Casey Costello is a member of the New Zealand First party and currently serves as a list MP.
What changes did Costello implement regarding vaping?
She announced legislation to ban disposable vapes and significantly increased the maximum fine for selling vaping products to minors from $10,000 to $100,000.
Why was Costello rebuked by the Chief Ombudsman?
The Chief Ombudsman, Judge Peter Boshier, rebuked her for failing to provide Official Information Act (OIA) information regarding tobacco and vaping policies to RNZ and Professor Janet Hoek, calling the withholding of information "unreasonable and contrary to law."
What is Costello's stance on the Smokefree 2025 target?
While she has repealed several components of the previous government's smokefree legislation, she has maintained that the Smokefree 2025 target remains ambitious but achievable.
How has Costello addressed maritime smuggling?
She allocated $70 million in the 2026 budget to purchase three unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) to conduct checks below the waterline, reducing the reliance on diving crews.