Judith Collins: The Lawyer Who Spent 24 Years in Parliament

Who Is Judith Collins?

Judith Collins is a New Zealand lawyer and former National Party leader who served in Parliament from 2002 until May 2026. As of September 2026, she is President of the New Zealand Law Commission, a job she began on 1 June 2026. She previously served as Attorney-General, Defence Minister and Leader of the Opposition.

Her political career lasted almost 24 years.

But law came first.

Collins had already spent about 21 years practising law before she entered Parliament. She later became one of the most recognisable National Party politicians of her generation.

Quick Facts

Fact	Information
Full name	Judith Anne Collins
Date of birth	24 February 1959
Age	67, as of September 2026
Birthplace	Hamilton, New Zealand
Nationality	New Zealander
Profession	Lawyer and former politician
Current position	President of the New Zealand Law Commission
Current role began	1 June 2026
Political party	New Zealand National Party
Entered Parliament	27 July 2002
Left Parliament	14 May 2026
Former electorates	Clevedon and Papakura
Former party role	Leader of the National Party
Former parliamentary role	Leader of the Opposition
Legal title	King’s Counsel
Husband	David Wong Tung
Son	James
Book	Pull No Punches

Early Life in Waikato

Judith Collins was born on 24 February 1959 in Hamilton, New Zealand.

She grew up on a dairy farm in Waikato.

She was the youngest of six children. Her parents were Percy and Jessie Collins, whom she spoke about during her first speech in Parliament.

It was a rural childhood.

Politics wasn’t the first plan.

Collins attended Matamata College before studying law. Her school years included debating and other academic activities, but her working career would soon centre on legal practice.

Judith Collins’ Education

Collins studied at the University of Auckland.

Her qualifications include:

• Bachelor of Laws
• Master of Taxation Studies
• Master of Laws with Honours

She later returned to formal study while already an experienced politician.

Collins completed a Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety at Massey University.

Her interest in that subject grew after parliamentary work connected with workplace health and safety following the Pike River Mine disaster.

Going back to university after years in law and Parliament added another side to her career.

Her Legal Career Before Politics

Collins was a lawyer long before she became an MP.

She was admitted to the Bar in 1981.

Her legal work covered areas such as commercial law, property, employment and tax.

Then she started her own firm.

From 1990 to 2000, she was principal of Judith Collins & Associates.

She later worked as special counsel at Minter Ellison Rudd Watts from 2000 until 2002.

She also held several professional posts:

• President of the Auckland District Law Society from 1998 to 1999
• Vice-President of the New Zealand Law Society from 1999 to 2000
• Chair of the Casino Control Authority from 1999 to 2002

That experience is easy to miss.

By the time Collins entered Parliament, she had already spent roughly 21 years working in law.

In December 2023, she was appointed King’s Counsel while serving as Attorney-General.

Entering Parliament

Collins entered the New Zealand Parliament after winning the Clevedon electorate in 2002.

Her first day as an MP was 27 July 2002.

Electoral boundaries later changed.

She became MP for Papakura in 2008 and held that seat until her parliamentary resignation took effect in May 2026.

She served across eight Parliaments.

That is a long political run.

How Did Judith Collins Become “Crusher Collins”?

One nickname followed Collins for years.

Crusher Collins.

It came from her time as Police Minister.

She backed rules aimed at repeat illegal street racers. The law allowed vehicles to be destroyed in certain cases involving repeat offenders.

The idea of crushing offenders’ cars made the nickname an obvious one.

It stuck.

Even years later, headlines regularly used “Crusher” when writing about Collins.

Becoming a Cabinet Minister

National returned to government in 2008.

Collins entered Cabinet.

Her early ministerial jobs included Police and Corrections.

Over different National governments, she eventually held 18 ministerial portfolios.

Her jobs included:

• Police
• Corrections
• Justice
• ACC
• Revenue
• Energy and Resources
• Defence
• Space
• Digitising Government
• Public Service
• responsibility for New Zealand’s intelligence and security agencies

Her political career had plenty of changes, though.

She left Cabinet.

She came back.

More than once.

What Happened in 2014?

Collins resigned from Cabinet in August 2014 after allegations connected with discussions about then Serious Fraud Office director Adam Feeley.

She denied acting improperly.

A government inquiry led by former High Court judge Lester Chisholm examined the matter.

The inquiry later found no evidence that Collins had acted improperly in the matter it examined.

That wording matters.

The finding related to the SFO allegations investigated by the inquiry. It wasn’t a blanket ruling on every political dispute involving Collins that year.

The Oravida Issue

Collins also faced questions in 2014 about Oravida, a New Zealand exporter.

Her husband, David Wong Tung, had a connection with the company through its board.

Questions arose after Collins visited Oravida’s Shanghai office during an official trip to China.

Political opponents raised conflict-of-interest concerns.

Collins rejected claims that she had improperly helped the business.

She later accepted that she should have disclosed earlier that she attended a dinner involving Oravida figures and a Chinese official.

The Oravida issue and the later SFO matter were separate political disputes.

They shouldn’t be mixed together.

Judith Collins as National Party Leader

Collins had sought the National Party leadership before.

She finally got the job in July 2020.

National MPs elected her leader on 14 July 2020 following Todd Muller’s resignation.

That made Collins Leader of the Opposition as well.

She led National into the 2020 general election against Labour leader Jacinda Ardern.

National lost.

Collins stayed as leader for another year.

Her leadership ended on 25 November 2021 after she lost a caucus vote of no confidence.

She didn’t leave Parliament.

Instead, she stayed on as Papakura MP.

That decision eventually led to another Cabinet comeback.

Return to Cabinet in 2023

National returned to government after the 2023 general election.

Collins was back in Cabinet.

And she had a lot on her desk.

Her later jobs included:

• Attorney-General
• Minister of Defence
• Minister for Digitising Government
• Minister for Space
• Minister for the Public Service
• responsibility for the Government Communications Security Bureau
• responsibility for the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service

Her final period as Attorney-General and Defence Minister ran from 27 November 2023 until 7 April 2026.

This was one of the biggest political comebacks of her career.

She had lost the party leadership in 2021.

Two years later, she was back holding senior Cabinet jobs.

Leaving Politics in 2026

Collins’ next move was announced on 28 January 2026.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced that she would become President of the New Zealand Law Commission.

That meant leaving politics.

Her ministerial service ended on 7 April 2026.

She later resigned her Papakura seat.

Her resignation took effect at 11:59 p.m. on 14 May 2026.

She had entered Parliament on 27 July 2002.

So her parliamentary career lasted almost 24 years.

Where Is Judith Collins Now?

Judith Collins is now President of Te Aka Matua o te Ture | New Zealand Law Commission.

She took office on 1 June 2026.

This is the current answer for anyone searching where Judith Collins is now.

She isn’t an MP.

She isn’t Defence Minister.

And she isn’t Attorney-General.

Her job now sits much closer to the profession she started in back in 1981: law.

The New Zealand Law Commission works on law reform and gives advice on changes to New Zealand law.

Collins is also attached as Commissioner to work reviewing company directors’ duties and liabilities.

Her move from Parliament to the Commission brought her career back toward legal work after decades inside politics.

Is Judith Collins Still a Lawyer?

Yes.

Collins remains part of New Zealand’s legal profession.

The New Zealand Law Society register lists her as a barrister and King’s Counsel.

She received the KC title in December 2023.

Her current legal standing fits naturally with her Law Commission position.

Judith Collins’ Husband and Son

Judith Collins is married to David Wong Tung.

She has spoken publicly about meeting him while they were at university.

At that time, he was a police officer.

Collins has also publicly spoken about their son, James.

Her husband became part of political reporting during the 2014 Oravida issue because of his connection with the company.

But Collins’ public career has mostly centred on law, Parliament and government.

Judith Collins’ Book

Collins wrote the memoir Pull No Punches.

The book covers parts of her upbringing, legal career and political life.

Its title matches the public persona that followed her through much of her parliamentary career.

She rarely had a reputation for being quiet.

Why Judith Collins Remains Well Known

Her long career explains much of it.

She spent about 21 years practising law before Parliament.

Then came almost 24 years as an MP.

She served as Police Minister, Justice Minister, Defence Minister and Attorney-General. She led the National Party. She fought a general election as Leader of the Opposition.

There were political setbacks too.

And several returns.

Her 2026 move to the New Zealand Law Commission started a very different part of her working life.

Final Thought

Judith Collins has had several careers packed into one public life.

Lawyer first.

Then MP.

Cabinet minister. Opposition leader. Attorney-General. Defence Minister.

Now she is back in law.

Collins left Parliament on 14 May 2026 after almost 24 years and became President of the New Zealand Law Commission on 1 June 2026.

So the answer to the most current question about her is simple.

Judith Collins now heads the New Zealand Law Commission.

FAQ

Who is Judith Collins?

Judith Collins is a New Zealand lawyer, former National Party leader and former Cabinet minister. She now leads the New Zealand Law Commission.

How old is Judith Collins?

Judith Collins was born on 24 February 1959. She is 67 years old as of September 2026.

Where was Judith Collins born?

She was born in Hamilton, New Zealand.

Is Judith Collins still an MP?

No. Collins left Parliament on 14 May 2026 after almost 24 years as an MP.

What does Judith Collins do now?

She is President of the New Zealand Law Commission. She started the job on 1 June 2026.

Is Judith Collins still a lawyer?

Yes. She is a barrister and holds the title of King’s Counsel.

Was Judith Collins Prime Minister?

No. Collins was Leader of the Opposition and National Party leader, but she never served as New Zealand’s prime minister.

When was Judith Collins National Party leader?

She led the National Party from 14 July 2020 until 25 November 2021.

Why is Judith Collins called Crusher Collins?

The nickname came from legislation linked to crushing vehicles belonging to repeat illegal street-racing offenders.

Who is Judith Collins’ husband?

She is married to David Wong Tung.

Does Judith Collins have children?

She has publicly spoken about her son, James.

What is Judith Collins doing after politics?

She moved into law reform and now heads the New Zealand Law Commission.

Nzbeat.com