Introduction
Barbara Joan Kuriger is a New Zealand politician who was elected to the New Zealand parliament at the 2014 general election as a representative of the New Zealand National Party.
Farming career
Kuriger is a farmer and is a former Dairy Woman of the Year.
Kuriger is a former director of Oxbow Dairies Ltd which was charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty and neglect. Kuriger ceased being a director in 2014, while her Husband Louis was still a director until late 2018 during which period the bulk of the charges were laid and offences committed, her son, Tony, pleaded guilty in January 2020 for causing "prolonged and severe pain" to the animals in his care.
Political career
| New Zealand Parliament | ||||
| Years | Term | Electorate | List | Party |
| 2014–2017 | 51st | Taranaki-King Country | 58 | National |
| 2017–present | 52nd | Taranaki-King Country | 28 | National |
She was selected as National's representative in Taranaki-King Country to replace Shane Ardern.
She is Deputy Chairperson of the Health Committee, a member of the Primary Production Committee, and the National Party's Senior Whip.
In 2015, David Cunliffe called out Kuriger for "ignorance" over the funding rorts at Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre while she was on its board.
Other activities
She currently sits on the board of the NZ Rural Sports Trust.