Todd was born in Te Aroha and was raised in Te Puna, north of Tauranga. He attended Tauranga Boys College before earning his Master’s Degree from the University of Waikato. He joined the National Party in 1989 and from 1994 to 1997 he served as Executive Assistant to Jim Bolger during his second term as Prime Minister. He is a former University of Waikato Councillor and sat on the Boards of Plant & Food Research and the Sustainable Business Council. He was also the General Manager for Zespri, Chief Executive of Bay of Plenty company Apata, and most recently Group Director of Co-operative Affairs for Fonterra.

During his time in Parliament, Todd has served as the Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Select Committee, and as the Deputy Chairperson of the Education and Science Select Committee. Todd currently sits on the Maori Affairs Select Committee. In the 53rd Parliament, he has been allocated the roles of Opposition Spokesperson for Trade and Export Growth and Internal Affairs. He announced in March this year that he would not seek a seat in parliament at the 2023 general election.

Todd and his wife Michelle have three children.

Todd was born in Te Aroha and was raised in Te Puna, north of Tauranga. He attended Tauranga Boys College before earning his Master’s Degree from the University of Waikato. He joined the National Party in 1989 and from 1994 to 1997 he served as Executive Assistant to Jim Bolger during his second term as Prime Minister. He is a former University of Waikato Councillor and sat on the Boards of Plant &amp; Food Research and the Sustainable Business Council. He was also the General Manager for Zespri, Chief Executive of Bay of Plenty company Apata, and most recently Group Director of Co-operative Affairs for Fonterra. During his time in Parliament, Todd has served as the Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Select Committee, and as the Deputy Chairperson of the Education and Science Select Committee. Todd currently sits on the Maori Affairs Select Committee. In the 53rd Parliament, he has been allocated the roles of Opposition Spokesperson for Trade and Export Growth and Internal Affairs. He announced in March this year that he would not seek a seat in parliament at the 2023 general election. Todd and his wife Michelle have three children.

John Cowan hosts ‘Real Life’, a weekly nationwide chat show on Newstalk ZB featuring a different high-profile guest every week. John talks with them about their life, their upbringing, their passions and their view of the world.

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