Damien is originally from Northern Ireland and is an ex-banker, Corporate Structured Finance & Family Office Adviser & Independent Company Director. He has a Master in Business Administration (MBA).
He has worked in Britain, Australia and New Zealand over the past 25 years and been a Director at Macquarie Capital.
He has consulted to Vero/Suncorp, Amalgamated Holdings, Tower Insurance, Allied Security, QUBEdocs and ASX Listed Adherium.
Damien believes in the principles of the ACT party where free markets, government fiscal prudence, freedom of thought, small government serving the people and property rights are at the centre of our democracy and vital to protect.
Damien has a Daughter at King's College, Auckland. They share a love for Arts, Sport & New Zealand.
Latest Press Releases
ACT proposed inquiry into lending rejected by Labour
14 June, 2022
“An inquiry proposed by ACT into the effects of recent changes to the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act has been rejected,” says ACT’s Associate Finance spokesperson Damien Smith....
ACT questions anti-money laundering legislation
14 June, 2022
“ACT is today asking for feedback about the anti-money laundering legislation passed by the National Government in 2009,” says ACT’s Associate Finance spokesperson Damien Smith....
ACT welcomes tax backdown
14 June, 2022
“The ACT Party is welcoming the Government’s backdown on changes to the tax system,” says ACT’s Associate Finance spokesperson Damien Smith....
Adrian drops the R word
14 June, 2022
“Adrian Orr has today admitted there’s a risk of recession for New Zealand,” says ACT’s Associate Finance spokesperson Damien Smith.
Adrian Orr doubles down on summer holiday
24 November, 2022
“Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr insists that three months off is a good idea while inflation is spiralling out of control,” says ACT’s Associate Finance spokesperson Damien Smith.
Auditor-General confirms more investigation needed of COVID fund
14 June, 2022
“The Auditor-General (AG) has this morning expressed his desire to get to the bottom of the Government’s reckless spending of the COVID-19 slush fund,” says ACT’s Associate Finance spokesperson Damien Smith....
Bill drawn to reduce barriers to foreign investment
14 June, 2022
“A Bill in my name drawn from the Ballot today will reduce barriers to investment from other like-minded countries improving the quality of life enjoyed by all New Zealanders,” says ACT MP Damien Smith....
Brain Drain Budget taxes Kiwis hardest, ACT gives relief
14 June, 2022
“Labour must have missed the story of the golden goose, or maybe they just think it doesn’t apply to Kiwis. A key part of the Brain Drain Budget is too much tax on productive people,” says ACT’s Associate Finance spokesperson...
Cost of living up as Govt piles on tax and regulation
14 June, 2022
“If the Government wants to know why inflation is through the roof it should look at the very areas it’s piled taxes on,” says ACT’s Associate Finance spokesperson Damien Smith....
Damien Smith hosts Parliamentary Movember breakfast
31 October, 2022
ACT MP Damien Smith is hosting a breakfast to launch the New Zealand Movember 2023 campaign in Parliament’s Grand Hall.
Food prices increase 4 per cent in 2021
14 June, 2022
“The cost of food in 2021 increased 4 per cent, just one of many areas that’s hitting hard working Kiwi battlers in the pocket,” says ACT’s Associate Finance spokesperson Damien Smith....
Friday drinks provide no relief to Kiwis
03 August, 2022
“Labour’s assault on your back pocket continues tomorrow, as the tax on alcohol will undergo its largest increase in 30 years,” says ACT's Associate Finance spokersperson Damien Smith....
Government keeps up barriers to investment
22 September, 2022
“The Government has this evening rejected a policy that would have reduced barriers to investment from people and businesses in like-minded countries and meant greater prosperity for Kiwis,” says ACT’s Associate Finance spokesperson Damien Smith.
Government needs to do more than point fingers on food prices
03 August, 2022
“The Government needs to admit that it’s policies are the cause of rapid rises in food prices that are making life so difficult for many New Zealanders, or their changes to the grocery sector will be pointless,” says ACT’s Associate...
Government should practice the transparency it preached
14 June, 2022
“The Government should practice some of its long-promised openness and transparency by letting the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee scrutinise Treasury and the Reserve Bank’s house price forecasts,” says ACT Associate Finance Spokesperson Damien Smith....
Government shrugs its shoulders over lending rules
14 June, 2022
“Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister David Clark has shown how out of his depth he is once again – this time on the Credit Contract and Consumer Finance Act,” says ACT’s Associate Finance spokesperson Damien Smith....
Government taxes bite as cost of living rises
14 June, 2022
"It’s no wonder the very areas the Government has piled taxes on are driving the largest increase to inflation in 10 years,” says ACT’s Associate Finance spokesperson Damien Smith....
Jackson fails to explain what media merger will achieve
24 November, 2022
“Broadcasting Minister Willie Jackson has been unable to explain to Parliament what the TVNZ/RNZ merger will be able to provide that doesn’t already exist,” says ACT’s Broadcasting spokesperson Damien Smith.
Misguided market studies a waste of time
14 June, 2022
“The Government’s New Year’s resolution should be to give up on its misguided policy of announcing market studies. They cost millions to find things we already knew,” says ACT’s Associate Finance spokesperson Damien Smith....
New Zealand can’t afford to not allow foreign investment
21 September, 2022
“Today Parliament has the opportunity to support my member’s bill to allow reduced barriers to investment from overseas and improve the quality of life enjoyed by all New Zealanders,” says ACT’s Associate Finance spokesperson Damien Smith.
Price of a pint going up thanks to Labour
03 August, 2022
“Labour is continuing to hammer small businesses and everyday Kiwis, with record inflation leading to the biggest increase in alcohol excise tax in over 30 years,” says ACT’s Associate Finance spokesperson Damien Smith....
Price of chicken clucking outrageous
14 June, 2022
“The cost of living is falling fowl of New Zealanders with chicken prices a sign of what’s to come,” says ACT’s Associate Finance spokesperson Damien Smith....
Reserve Bank in la la land? We hear ya!
09 January, 2023
“Kiwis are experiencing one of the most expensive summers in history partly thanks to the Reserve Bank (RBNZ) getting things completely wrong, ACT would get it back to basics,” says ACT’s Associate Finance spokesperson Damien Smith.
Reserve Bank on holiday when inflation is out of control? We hear ya!
12 January, 2023
“Kiwis are probably wondering why Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr insists that taking three months off is a good idea while inflation is spiralling out of control, ACT hears ya,” says ACT’s Associate Finance spokesperson Damien Smith.
Rising costs slam middle New Zealand
14 June, 2022
“Middle New Zealand is being hit in the pocket because of the Government’s poor policy making decisions,” says ACT’s Associate Finance spokesperson Damien Smith....
Robertson wrong, wage gap with Oz growing
14 June, 2022
“Grant Robertson’s claim that the wage gap between New Zealand and Australia is closing is just plain wrong,” says ACT’s Associate Finance spokesperson Damien Smith....
Statistics Minister mocks Kiwis, should be on his bike
14 June, 2022
“The Statistics Minister has shown how out of touch the Government is with middle New Zealand by making a mockery of serious questions in Parliament,” says ACT’s Associate Finance spokesperson Damien Smith....
Super fund needs to explain shift in portfolio
14 September, 2022
“The NZ Super Fund needs to front up with the workings behind moving $25 billion to climate-related investment and prove to Kiwis it is managing their money well” says ACT’s Associate Finance spokesperson Damien Smith.
Want some tax relief? We hear ya!
09 January, 2023
“As New Zealand inches towards a recession and Kiwis feel the pinch, ACT is the only party that wants New Zealanders to keep more of their own money,” says ACT’s Associate Finance spokesperson Damien Smith.
What is the point of Govt media merger?
03 August, 2022
“The Government has failed to provide a coherent reason to be mucking around in the media with its costly merger,” says ACT’s Associate Finance spokesperson Damien Smith....
ACT delivers hospo solution for RWC, again
18 March, 2023
“With the 2023 Rugby World Cup taking place in the northern hemisphere pubs are having to plead their case to prudish licensing committees just so they can open. ACT has the solution once again in the form of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Rugby World Cup 2023 Extended Trading Hours) Amendment Bill,” says ACT’s Sports and
Labour MPs vote to not do their jobs
14 March, 2023
“Labour MPs have shamefully blocked the Finance and Expenditure Committee from holding an inquiry into the Labour Government’s regulation of the banking sector,” says ACT’s Associate Finance spokesperson Damien Smith.
Stats Minister doesn’t know if Warriors bribe is even working
11 May, 2023
“The Government’s bribe of free Warriors tickets is costing taxpayers $150,000 but the Minister doesn’t know how many people have filled out their census as a result,” says ACT’s Statistics spokesperson Damien Smith.