Melissa Lee portrait Melissa Lee landscape
NZ Honorary Advisers

Melissa Lee


Melissa Lee was born in Korea and grew up in Malaysia, settling in New Zealand in 1988. She has more than 20 years' journalism experience, including a five-year stint with the Sunday News.

Lee has written for many New Zealand publications including the New Zealand Herald and the NZ Listener. She spent 15 years as a television presenter and producer on TVNZ Asia Dynamic and Asia Down Under programs.

Lee has held many community positions including vice president of the Korean Society and vice president of the Korean Women' s Association.

She was elected as a list MP for the National Party in the 2008 and 2014 elections. She is currently the National Party's spokesperson for broadcasting, communications and digital media, and data and cybersecurity.