Nicola Willis had an interesting road to Parliament - after spending over a decade as a staffer to different members of the National Party, she very nearly got into Parliament in 2017 before the final results saw her just miss out. Coming in a few months later off the back of several resignations, Willis has skyrocketed to the top, becoming Deputy Leader at the end of 2021 - and now holding the prime finance portfolio her once boss Bill English used to hold.

So is she gearing up to potentially be the country's next Finance Minister? This week, Thomas talks to Willis about her time as staffer, her interest in social investment, housing and finance, her liberal views versus the rest of the National Party, and the departing advice Simon Bridges gave her. 

Follow On the Tiles on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes out on Fridays. 

You can find more politics news at nzherald.co.nz/politics
You can follow Thomas Coughlan on Twitter @coughlthom

Nicola Willis had an interesting road to Parliament - after spending over a decade as a staffer to different members of the National Party, she very nearly got into Parliament in 2017 before the final results saw her just miss out. Coming in a few months later off the back of several resignations, Willis has skyrocketed to the top, becoming Deputy Leader at the end of 2021 - and now holding the prime finance portfolio her once boss Bill English used to hold.
So is she gearing up to potentially be the country's next Finance Minister? This week, Thomas talks to Willis about her time as staffer, her interest in social investment, housing and finance, her liberal views versus the rest of the National Party, and the departing advice Simon Bridges gave her.&nbsp;
Follow On the Tiles on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes out on Fridays.&nbsp;
You can find more politics news at nzherald.co.nz/politics You can follow Thomas Coughlan on Twitter @coughlthom

Each Friday, NZ Herald Deputy Political Editor Thomas Coughlan covers off the biggest political news in New Zealand, going behind the headlines and giving the inside perspective direct from the Beehive, featuring interviews with politicians, press gallery reporters and economic and political experts.

And join us every month for a Local Edition episode with Georgina Campbell, looking at the biggest concerns from a local government level. 

You can find more politics news at nzherald.co.nz/politics/

Each Friday, NZ Herald Deputy Political Editor Thomas Coughlan covers off the biggest political news in New Zealand, going behind the headlines and giving the inside perspective direct from the Beehive, featuring interviews with politicians, press gallery reporters and economic and political experts.
And join us every month for a Local Edition episode with Georgina Campbell, looking at the biggest concerns from a local government level.  You can find more politics news at nzherald.co.nz/politics/

Each Friday, NZ Herald Senior Political Reporter Thomas Coughlan covers off the biggest political news in New Zealand, going behind the headlines and giving the inside perspective direct from the Beehive, featuring interviews with politicians, press...