Ricardo has led successful campaigns to end benefit sanctions, lift incomes, and better protect migrant workers.

Growing up in Tijuana, Mexico, Ricardo saw first-hand how the climate crisis shapes your local environment, with his hometown now experiencing regular water shortages on top of the politics of hate and division from the other side of the border. Prior to being an MP he worked alongside people receiving income support to fight for liveable incomes for all, better public services, and for migrants to take an active role in supporting tiriti justice, as well as having many years of experience in the hospitality sector. His proudest political achievement before entering Parliament was working on the campaign to remove sanctions on single mothers who had money deducted for not naming the father of their children, despite many being survivors of abuse.

Ricardo entered Parliament in 2020. In his first term of Parliament he successfully shepherded the Human Rights (Disability Assist Dogs Non-Discrimination) Amendment Bill into law, improving the rights of people with disability assist dogs. He also succeeded in having amendments passed to better support rainbow athletes as part of setting up the Sports Integrity Unit, and worked with Government ministers to protect whistleblowers on migrant exploitation. Through working with people at the frontlines he led successful campaigns securing record increases to benefits, granting residency to tens of thousands of migrants and changing the Government’s position on issues of welfare, dental care and immigration.

But there is far more work to do! As a list MP based in Mt Albert Ricardo is committed to centring the communities most affected by climate change in conversations on inequality, health justice and an immigration system that works for everyone. Ricardo believes that a different economic system is possible: one that is centered around constitutional transformation, economic and climate justice.

“Transformative political change that ends poverty and addresses the climate crisis is absolutely possible. By working alongside the communities we all serve we can transform our political system so that it works for all of us, not just the wealthy few”.