Editing Matt Robson (section)

==Personal life==
Despite having achieved high political office in New Zealand, Robson did not become a [[naturalisation|naturalised]] citizen until 2000. Under the terms of New Zealand's Electoral Act 1993, any permanent resident before August 1975 has the right to vote and stand for election.<ref name="NZ_Herald_128859">{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=128859 |title=No longer a 'foreign' minister |author=Bingham, Eugene |date=5 April 2000 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |accessdate=14 July 2017}}</ref> 

Robson is married to Petronella Townsend who was an influential organisational figure in the Alliance and Progressive parties.{{sfn|Grant|2022|p=259}} At the {{NZ election link|2005}} she was a Progressive list candidate and stood in the seat of {{NZ electorate link|Auckland Central}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2005/electorate-2.html |title=Official Count Results -- Auckland Central |date=1 October 2005 |website=Electoral Commission |access-date=4 March 2020 }}</ref>