Natalia Albert Llorente

Relationship between policy and social cohesion

Email:  natalia.albertllorente@vuw.ac.nz

Supervisor:  Wonhyuk Cho and Michael Macaulay

Profile

Natalia is a former public servant, currently pursuing a PhD focused on government policies, social cohesion, and the peaceful existence of New Zealand’s growing and diverse populations.

Natalia ran in the Wellington Central electorate during the 2023 election as TOP's Deputy Leader. Passionate about gender equality, Natalia has produced and directed a series of gender-focused events in Wellington, including New Zealand’s first TEDxWomen event. In 2016, she launched an annual event hosted at the National Library of New Zealand profiling the perspectives of gender-diverse individuals and a similar event hosted at the Wellington City Gallery. In 2013, she raised over $48,000 for Oxfam New Zealand by encouraging women to walk in the annual Trailwalker event.

Natalia is the daughter of a Mexican single mother. Before the age of 20 she had lived in Canada, Mexico and the USA, giving her a unique perspective on the needs of different communities. She now lives in Wellington with her husband and three dogs.

Qualifications

Masters of Political Science at Victoria University of Wellington. Her thesis is regarding 'Diversifying Leadership in the New Zealand Pubcli Service.'

B.A, majoring in Politics, Massey University

Postgraduate Diploma in Politics, Massey University

B.A, majoring in Business.

She also has 12 years of professional experience in the New Zealand public service in key roles like the lead and development of the Social Cohesion policy that came out of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into he 15 of March attacks.

Research interest

The New Zealand public service and the impact it has on social cohesion in New Zealand, research methodology, intuitionalism and public policy.