Genter has worked as a transportation planner since coming to New Zealand in 2006. She was initially employed by Sinclair Knight Merz in Auckland before starting with McCormick Rankin Cagney in Auckland in 2008. She is recognised within the transportation industry as an expert on parking policy and the economic and transport effects thereof, and has advised numerous councils in Australasia on this topic. She has given many presentations at conferences on the subject matter, and appeared on TVNZ's Breakfast programme and Kim Hill's Saturday Morning programme on Radio New Zealand National.
Member of Parliament
Placed in 13th place on the Green Party list for the, Genter entered Parliament, with the Greens gaining 14 List Members of Parliament. In July 2015 Genter became the third ever female MP to hold a finance portfolio, alongside the Transport and Youth portfolios. The departure of long-standing Health Spokesperson Kevin Hague in September 2016 led to her taking on the Health portfolio, keeping Transport, Youth, Auckland Issues, and Associate Finance. As an MP, Genter criticised the 2008–2017 National government for spending billions of dollars on motorways, called for a nationwide mental health inquiry, and questioned Health Minister Jonathan Coleman on his use of a Coca-Cola funded study. In January 2017 Genter criticised former Green Party issues director Laila Harré, stating that the reason Harré gave for resigning from the Greens was not factual. Genter quickly apologised to Harré stating "regret any slight to your integrity". In late 2016 Genter announced that she would be putting her name forward for the Green Party nomination for the Mount Albert by-election, to be held in February 2017. On 12 January 2017 it was announced that Genter would indeed be her party's nominee. Genter came second in the election, with 11.5% of the vote. Genter stated that she rebuffed an approach by Gareth Morgan to waka-jump to his The Opportunities Party in July 2017, though TOP denied any "formal" approach had been made. At the, Genter was re-elected to parliament via the Green Party list.
Ministerial portfolio
Following the formation of a Labour–New Zealand First coalition government with the support of the Greens, Genter was appointed Minister for Women and Associate Minister of both Health and Transport. Genter chose to take her oath to the Crown in the Māori language, along with other members, for which she was praised by political colleagues and members of the public. On 24 May 2018 Genter was given responsibility for Civil Aviation after Transport Minister Phil Twyford violated civil aviation law by making an unauthorized phone call on a domestic flight during takeoff.
Personal life
Genter lives in Auckland with her partner Peter Nunns. On 18 February 2018, she announced that she was pregnant. Previously Genter had publicly revealed that she suffered a series of miscarriages. On 21 August, Genter gave birth to a baby boy, announcing the news on her social media. She made international headlines after she—accompanied by her partner—cycled to Auckland Hospital to be induced.
