Tim Costley

Tim Costley MP
Costley in 2023
Member of theNew Zealand Parliament forŌtaki
Incumbent
Assumed office 14 October 2023
Preceded by	Terisa Ngobi
Personal details
Born	1979 or 1980 (age 44–45)
Political party	National
Children	3
Alma mater	Massey University Cranfield University
Military service
Allegiance	New Zealand
Branch/service	Royal New Zealand Air Force
Years of service	2001–2023
Rank	Wing commander

Timothy John Costley(born 1979/1980) is a New Zealand politician. He was elected as theMember of Parliamentin theHouse of RepresentativesforŌtaki,representing theNational Party,in the2023 general election.He was previously a pilot with theRoyal New Zealand Air Force(RNZAF).

Early life and education

Costley was raised inPalmerston Northby his parents, who were both teachers. He has one sister and one brother and was educated atPalmerston North Boys' High School.He studied atMassey University,graduating with aBachelor of Sciencedegree in mathematical physics, and atCranfield Universityin the United Kingdom where he earned a master's degree in international defence and security.He also has a Diploma in Business.

Military career

Costley joined theRoyal New Zealand Air Force(RNZAF) in 2001 as a pilot. He operatedBell UH-1 IroquoisandNHIndustries NH90helicopters. He saw operational flying service in theSolomon IslandsandEast Timor.He also completed a tour of duty inAfghanistanand was involved in numerous rescue missions in New Zealand and humanitarian missions in bothFijiandPapua 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 anequerrytoPrince William, Duke of Cambridge,as an officer of the British royal household assisting members of the royal family. He later achieved the rank ofwing commanderand finished his career as Commanding Officer of the Flying Training Wing atOhakea airbase.

In 2007, while Costley was stationed in East Timor, he featured in a tongue-in-cheek video that went viral online and was later used for RNZAF recruitment.

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

Member of Parliament

New Zealand Parliament

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

In November 2019, Costley was selected as theNational Partycandidate for theŌtaki electorateat the2020 general election.He lost to Labour Party candidateTerisa Ngobiby 2,988 votes.

Costley was again selected to run as the National Party candidate in the Ōtaki electorate during the2023 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.Costley gave his maiden statement in Parliament on 12 December 2023.He currently sits on the foreign affairs, defence and trade committee and the governance and administration committee.

In June 2024, Costley attracted media attention after claiming over NZ$36,000 worth of housing allowance to live in aWellingtonapartment that he owned. In response to criticism,Prime Ministerand National Party leaderChristopher Luxondefended Costley, stating that Members of Parliament often left late at night and that his 58km commute to his home inWaikanaewas impractical.

Personal life

Costley and his wife Emma have three daughters.