Tim Costley
MP
Costley in 2023
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Ōtaki
Assumed office
14 October 2023
Preceded byTerisa Ngobi
Personal details
Political partyNational
Children3
Alma mater
Military service
AllegianceNew Zealand
Branch/serviceRoyal New Zealand Air Force
Years of service2001–2023
RankWing commander

Timothy John Costley is a New Zealand politician and Member of Parliament in the House of Representatives for the National Party. He was previously a pilot with the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF).

Biography

Education

Costley was educated at Palmerston North Boys' High School.[1] He studied at Massey University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematical physics, and at Cranfield University in the United Kingdom where he earned a master's degree in international defence and security.[2] He also has a Diploma in Business.[3]

Military career

Costley joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) in 2001 as a pilot. He operated Bell UH-1 Iroquois and NHIndustries NH90 helicopters. He saw operational flying service in the Solomon Islands and East Timor. He also completed a tour of duty in Afghanistan and was involved in numerous rescue missions in New Zealand and humanitarian missions in both Fiji and Papua New Guinea. Costley was second-in-command of pilot training and command of the NH90 helicopters for the RNZAF. In 2014, Costley was seconded as an equerry to Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, as an officer of the British royal household assisting members of the royal family. He later achieved the rank of wing commander and finished his career as Commanding Officer of the Flying Training Wing at Ohakea airbase.[3]

In 2007, while Costley was stationed in East Timor, he featured in a tongue-in-cheek video that went viral online, gaining over a million views. The video was even used for RNZAF recruitment.[4]

Costley founded The Missing Wingman Trust, a charity that supports the families of RNZAF families where someone is killed, wounded, injured or ill.[3]

Political career

New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate List Party
2023–present 54th Ōtaki 64 National

In November 2019, Costley was selected as the National Party candidate for the Ōtaki electorate at the 2020 general election.[3][4] He lost to Labour Party candidate Terisa Ngobi by 2,988 votes.[5]

Costley was again selected to run as the National Party candidate in the Ōtaki electorate during the 2023 New Zealand general election. Final results showed a "commanding win", with Costley receiving over 22,145 votes, a lead of more than 6,271 votes over Ngobi.[6] During the 2023 New Zealand general election, Ngobi was unseated by National candidate Tim Costley, who won by a margin of 6,271 votes.[7]

Personal life

Costley and his wife Emma have three daughters. He enjoys long-distance running and music.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Galuszka, Jono (19 May 2020). "Ōtaki candidates hit the campaign trail in effort to fill empty seat". Stuff. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  2. ↑ "Andy Foster, Tamatha Paul, Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke: Host of new faces on track to enter New Zealand's 54th Parliament". The New Zealand Herald. 15 October 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Tim Costley National's new candidate in Otaki" (Press release). New Zealand National Party. Scoop. 17 November 2019. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  4. 1 2 Fyfe, James (28 January 2020). "Tim Costley goes from Air Force rocker to National candidate for Ōtaki". Newshub. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  5. ↑ "Ōtaki – Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  6. ↑ Haxton, David (26 October 2023). "New Ōtaki MP Tim Costley humbled by result". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  7. ↑ "Ōtaki - Official Result". Electoral Commission. 3 November 2023. Archived from the original on 23 November 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
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