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David MacLeod
David MacLeod
David MacLeod
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David Nigel MacLeod[1] (born 1967 or 1968)[2] is a New Zealand businessman and politician. Since 2023, he is the Member of Parliament in the House of Representatives for New Plymouth, representing the National Party. He previously served as chair of the Taranaki Regional Council from 2007 to 2022.

Key Information

Early life and career

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MacLeod, of Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāi Tahu, and Ngāti Porou descent, was born in Hāwera and raised on his family's farm in Manaia. He is the seventh of eight children born to Joy Rangimarie TePoi MacLeod and Thomas Nigel MacLeod.[3][4]

His maternal grandfather was Ned Ellison, a doctor and health administrator.[5] The National Party Member of Parliament for Egmont and Waitotara Venn Young was his godfather.[6] MacLeod is married to Leasa; they share three children.[2]

MacLeod attended Hawera High School and then completed an electrician apprenticeship with Greaves Electrical. He became a partner in the firm in 1991 and became managing director in 1999.[2][7][8] Under his leadership, MacLeod expanded the business to include a lines company. He stepped down from management in 2012 and sold the business in 2023.[9][10]

Local government and governance career

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In 2000, MacLeod was elected to the South Taranaki constituency of the Taranaki Regional Council in a by-election following the death of councillor Ralph Latta.[11] He was re-elected in 2001, 2004, and 2007. After the 2007 election, he was unanimously elected as council chair.[12] MacLeod was returned unopposed at the 2010 election and also reappointed as chair.[13][14]

As a Taranaki district councillor, MacLeod voted against the creation of a Taranaki Māori constituency in 2011, saying it was his preference to foster relationships between the council and local iwi.[15] As chair, MacLeod led on regional co-governance measures including the appointment of iwi representatives to council committees.[16] He changed his mind to support the creation of a Māori constituency in 2021, when the proposal was supported by all eight Taranaki iwi, despite holding a personal view that the Māori constituency system is "flawed".[17]

MacLeod continued on the council, and as chair, until 2022, when he did not run for re-election.[18] After his re-election in 2019, a rival candidate complained to the Auditor-General that council advertising featuring MacLeod's image had given him an unfair advantage.[19] The Auditor-General advised the council that it may wish to reconsider its policy on pre-election advertising.[20]

While holding local government office, MacLeod served as a director of the council-owned Port Taranaki from 2001 to 2023.[21][22] He was also elected as a member of the Fonterra board in 2011. He was the first Māori director of the co-operative.[23] He stepped down from the board in 2017, after completing two terms.[24][25] MacLeod's election to the board was controversial because although he occupied a farmer-representative position he was not a farmer, and because the Taranaki Regional Council he chaired had recently invested in Fonterra bonds.[23][26] He was appointed to the board of Predator Free 2050 in 2016 and became acting chair in 2021, stepping down in 2022 to run for parliament.[27][28]

Member of Parliament

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New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate List Party
2023–present 54th New Plymouth 67 National

On 31 October 2022, MacLeod was selected as National's candidate for New Plymouth at the 2023 New Zealand general election.[2] When his campaign was announced, MacLeod identified Taranaki roads, increasing the number of immigrants available to the workforce, and the oil and gas industry as areas he was keen to work on when in parliament.[6] During the campaign he ran afoul of signage rules by placing his signs outside the designated timeframe and using incorrect font sizes.[29]

MacLeod was listed low on the party list at 67 out of 74, due to the expectation he would win his electorate; it was a placement that former MP and political editor Claudette Hauiti said should have McLeod "fuming", but which he said was "irrelevant" as it showed the party was confident he would win the electoral seat.[30][31] On election night MacLeod beat incumbent Labour MP Glen Bennett by a margin of 6,991 votes.[32][33]

MacLeod was appointed the chair of the environment committee and a member of the finance and expenditure committee.[34] He was stood down from his committee roles on 21 May 2024 after failing to declare 19 donations totalling $178,394.[35][36] On 7 June 2024, the Electoral Commission referred MacLeod to the Police over the undeclared donations. MacLeod maintained that his failure to declare the donations was a genuine mistake and stated that he hope the investigation would make it clear that he did not intend to deceive anyone.[37] On 29 August 2024, the Police concluded their investigation into MacLeod's donations and declined to take further action.[38] Following the Police decision, MacLeod was appointed as a member of the regulations review and Māori affairs committees.[34]

References

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David MacLeod

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David MacLeod (September 21, 1954 – February 24, 2024) was a Canadian film and television producer and production manager known for his extensive work on acclaimed series including Haven, Call Me Fitz, and Pure. Born on September 21, 1954, in North Vancouver, British Columbia, he began his career in catering and kitchen roles before transitioning into motion picture catering and then production management on projects such as the Gemini Award-winning CBC series North of 60. After relocating to Nova Scotia in 1996, he established himself as a key figure in East Coast Canadian production, executive producing or producing numerous television series, mini-series, and television movies through companies like Big Motion Pictures and Two East. MacLeod's career spanned decades and included notable credits such as Black Harbour, Trudeau II: Maverick in the Making, Sex Traffic, Sea Wolf, and the 2011 Moby Dick adaptation, often collaborating with creators like Wayne Grigsby and Michael Amo. Recognized for his calm leadership under pressure, creative budget management, and talent mentorship, he helped nurture a generation of filmmakers in the region while serving on the board of the Canadian Media Producers Association (including as National Chair) and as a founder and board member of Screen Nova Scotia. He passed away on February 24, 2024, in Chester, Nova Scotia.

Early life

Early years

David MacLeod was born on September 21, 1954, in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, to parents Robert A. MacLeod and Patricia R. MacLeod. He grew up as part of a family that included sisters Kathleen and Susan, brothers Douglas and Michael, and a predeceased brother named Alexander (known as Sandy). Little is documented about his childhood activities or education in North Vancouver, with no records indicating formal higher education prior to entering the workforce. MacLeod began his working life at the age of 15. He later relocated to Alberta for early employment.

Entry into the industry

Culinary background and catering services

David MacLeod began his career in the culinary field at the age of 15, working as a kitchen assistant in Banff, Alberta. He spent the next decade gaining experience in commercial kitchens under internationally trained chefs, eventually rising to the position of Executive Chef at Deer Lodge in Lake Louise. He later owned and operated the Magpie and Stump restaurant in Banff. MacLeod subsequently transitioned to motion picture catering in Alberta, where he built a mobile catering operation and assembled a team of Teamster chefs to deliver high-quality meals on film sets. His catering services became known for providing some of the finest meals ever served on Canadian film productions, including a breakfast burrito notably praised by Clint Eastwood. This on-set catering work marked his entry into film and television production environments. This experience in catering eventually led to his first production management credits.

Film and television career

Production management

David MacLeod began his production roles in television as assistant production manager on the series The Ray Bradbury Theater in 1992, where he worked on eight episodes. He subsequently served as production manager on the CBC series North of 60 from 1993 to 1996, overseeing 48 episodes. This position represented his first credit as a member of the Directors Guild of Canada (DGC). In 1996, MacLeod relocated to Nova Scotia with North of 60 creators Wayne Grigsby and Barbara Samuels to work on the CBC series Black Harbour. This move led into his producing partnership with Grigsby. MacLeod remained a card-carrying member of both the DGC and the Teamsters until his death.

Producing credits

David MacLeod established himself as a key figure in Canadian independent television production through his partnerships at production companies dedicated to character-driven and regionally filmed projects. As principal partner at Big Motion Pictures alongside writer-producer Wayne Grigsby, and later at Two East with writer-producer Michael Amo, MacLeod helped develop and deliver numerous acclaimed series and mini-series often shot in Nova Scotia. His most prominent producing credits include executive producer on the satirical comedy series Call Me Fitz (2010–2013, 48 episodes), the supernatural drama Haven (2010–2015, 78 episodes), and the crime drama Pure (2017–2019, 12 episodes). MacLeod also produced or executive produced several high-profile mini-series and television movies, such as the two-part Sex Traffic (2004 mini-series, 2 episodes), the eight-part October 1970 (2006 mini-series), the TV movie Trudeau II: Maverick in the Making (2005), the two-part Sea Wolf (2009 mini-series), and the two-part Moby Dick (2011 mini-series). Additional notable producing credits encompass the series Snakes & Ladders (2004), A Guy and a Girl (2002–2004), Sleep Murder (2004), Whirligig (2010), Lure (2014), and Sea Change (2017). He was widely respected for his creative problem-solving on budgets, steady leadership under production pressures, and commitment to mentoring emerging filmmakers on Canada's East Coast, particularly through projects that highlighted Nova Scotia locations and talent.

Assistant director roles

David MacLeod served as first assistant director on several high-profile television series during the late 2010s and early 2020s, contributing to prominent Amazon Prime and other streaming productions. In 2019, he worked as first assistant director on four episodes of The Boys, including additional photography, four episodes of What We Do in the Shadows, and one episode of The Umbrella Academy (credited as David Macleod). He also served as first assistant director on three episodes of Shadowhunters in 2017, nine episodes of See from 2021 to 2022, and eight episodes of FUBAR from 2023 to 2025. In addition to these first assistant director positions, MacLeod took on second unit director roles on one episode of Pure in 2017 and one episode of The Secret Adventures of Jules Verne in 2000. Earlier in his career, he served as associate director on one episode of General Hospital in 2007 and as second assistant director on two episodes of Matt and Jenny in 1979. These assistant director roles often continued alongside or following his producing work in the industry.

Industry leadership

Professional organizations and advocacy

David MacLeod served on the board of directors of the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA), where he held the position of national chair for two years. He was recognized as a passionate advocate for Canadian film and television production, with particular emphasis on advancing opportunities and infrastructure in Nova Scotia. As a founding member and long-time board member of Screen Nova Scotia, MacLeod was instrumental in promoting the growth of the province's film and television industry through organizational leadership and strategic advocacy. He mentored young filmmakers and became known for inspiring the next generation of industry builders in the region. His organizational efforts supported the broader ecosystem that enabled Nova Scotia-based productions to thrive.

Awards and recognition

Major awards and nominations

David MacLeod has received four wins and seven nominations across major Canadian industry awards for his producing work on television series and mini-series. His wins include two Canadian Screen Awards for Best Comedy Series for Call Me Fitz in 2014 and 2015, the Gemini Award for Best Dramatic Mini-Series for Sex Traffic in 2005, and the Directors Guild of Canada DGC Team Award for Outstanding Achievement in a Television Movie/Mini-Series for Trudeau in 2003.
YearAwardCategoryProjectOutcome
2015Canadian Screen AwardBest Comedy SeriesCall Me FitzWin
2014Canadian Screen AwardBest Comedy SeriesCall Me FitzWin
2005Gemini AwardBest Dramatic Mini-SeriesSex TrafficWin
2003Directors Guild of CanadaDGC Team Award for Outstanding Achievement in a Television Movie/Mini-SeriesTrudeauWin
He has also earned nominations for the Canadian Screen Award for Best Drama Series for Pure in 2018, the Screen Nova Scotia Award for Best Television Series for Haven in 2015 and 2016, the Gemini Award for Best Comedy Program or Series for Call Me Fitz in 2011, the Gemini Award for Best Dramatic Mini-Series for Trudeau II: Maverick in the Making in 2006, the Gemini Award for Best Dramatic Series for Snakes & Ladders in 2004, and the Gemini Award for Best TV Movie for Blessed Stranger: After Flight 111 in 2001. These recognitions highlight his impact on acclaimed Canadian productions across comedy and drama genres.

Personal life and death

Family, interests, and passing

David MacLeod was survived by his loving wife and life partner Victoria McGregor, his son Michael MacLeod (with Jules) and granddaughter Ada Grace, his ex-spouse Cherie MacLeod, his sisters Kathleen (Paul) and Susan (Roy), and his brothers Douglas (Sharon) and Michael (Carol). He had a lifelong passion for food, evident in his baking of perfect sourdough baguettes, curing and smoking meats, and creating what he considered Nova Scotia’s best meatloaf, often hosting family and friends with generous spreads of his smoked meats; he also enjoyed making a rich dark gingerbread cake in earlier years. He played Fender Telecaster guitar, delighting colleagues with solos at wrap parties, and pursued racing his Porsche at the track as a personal hobby. MacLeod died on February 24, 2024, in Chester, Nova Scotia, at the age of 69. The Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) remembered him as a passionate advocate for the Canadian media production industry, particularly in Nova Scotia, who inspired and mentored many young filmmakers. Screen Nova Scotia described him as a visionary whose brilliance, integrity, and generosity touched countless lives. A celebration of his life was planned for a later date, and in lieu of flowers, donations were requested to the South Shore Hospice Care Society or VON.
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