Tim Costley

Costley was raised in Palmerston North by his parents, who were both teachers. He has one sister and one brother and was educated at Palmerston North Boys' High School. He studied at Massey University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematical physics, and at Cranfield University in the United Kingdom where he earned a master's degree in international defence and security. He also has a Diploma in Business.

Costley joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) in 2001 as a pilot. He operated Bell UH-1 Iroquois and NHIndustries NH90 helicopters. He saw operational flying service in the Solomon Islands and East Timor. He also completed a tour of duty in Afghanistan and was involved in numerous rescue missions in New Zealand and humanitarian missions in both Fiji and Papua New Guinea. Costley was second-in-command of pilot training and command of the NH90 helicopters for the RNZAF. In 2014, Costley was seconded as an equerry to Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, as an officer of the British royal household assisting members of the royal family. He later achieved the rank of wing commander and finished his career as Commanding Officer of the Flying Training Wing at Ohakea airbase.

In 2007, while Costley was stationed in East Timor, he featured in a tongue-in-cheek video that went viral online and was later used for RNZAF recruitment.

Costley founded The Missing Wingman Trust, a charity that supports the families of RNZAF families where someone is killed, wounded, injured or ill.

In November 2019, Costley was selected as the National Party candidate for the Ōtaki electorate at the 2020 general election. He lost to Labour Party candidate Terisa Ngobi by 2,988 votes.

Costley was again selected to run as the National Party candidate in the Ōtaki electorate during the 2023 New Zealand general election. Final results showed a "commanding win", with Costley receiving over 22,145 votes, a lead of more than 6,271 votes over Ngobi. Costley gave his maiden statement in Parliament on 12 December 2023. He currently sits on the foreign affairs, defence and trade committee and the governance and administration committee.

Controversies

In June 2024, Costley attracted media attention after claiming over NZ$36,000 worth of housing allowance to live in a Wellington apartment that he owned. In response to criticism, Prime Minister and National Party leader Christopher Luxon defended Costley, stating that Members of Parliament often left late at night and that his 58 km (36 mi) commute to his home in Waikanae was impractical.

In March 2025, Costley made a controversial remark in Parliament referencing the openly gay former Finance Minister, Grant Robertson. Costley stated: "Geez, we had it during the last one, you were getting told how long you're allowed to stay in the shower. I don't like the thought of Grant Robertson inspecting me in the shower, quite frankly. But this is the attitude they've just purveyed from that side of the House." The comment was widely criticised as being inappropriate and he was required to apologise by party leadership.

Costley and his wife Emma have three daughters.