Politicians older and brighter

WELLINGTON - It may not ever become apparent, but the members of the Parliament about to convene are wiser than the lot we have just voted out.

Or so says Government relations specialist Mark Unsworth, who produces a guide to the age, ethnicity, gender, education and past occupations of MPs.

He found members of the new Parliament were:

* Smarter: about 79 per cent of MPs elected for the next term have a tertiary qualification. In 1996 the percentage was 70.

* Older: the average age of MPs was 47 in 1996. Now it is 48.6. The average age of the 32 new members is 45.

At least 20 MPs (17 per cent) were born overseas, The number of women (35) and Maori (16) is the same as three years ago. Parliament has one more Pacific Islander, Labour's Winnie Laban, making a total of four.

And the number who have owned their own businesses has changed little, rising to 57 per cent from 55 per cent.

The guide, sadly, has no measure of rat-like cunning and political nous, both vital ingredients for a long and successful parliamentary career.

Mr Unsworth says there is no simple answer to whether an MP needs a tertiary qualification - former Prime Minister Jim Bolger had none.

But he believes a qualification helps ministers to better understand complex portfolios.

The guide shows all the parties have "upskilled" since 1996, although United simply maintained 100 per cent - leader Peter Dunne is its only MP.

About 90 per cent of National MPs hold tertiary qualifications: Act (89 per cent), New Zealand First (83 per cent, five of its six MPs), the Alliance (73 per cent) and Labour (69 per cent).

In 1996, 49 per cent had a university degree, while now 61 per cent have been capped.

National leads the way with 71 per cent of its MPs having a degree.

About 33 per cent of the 120 have a masters/honours degree or higher. - NZPA