[3] He has also worked in the motor vehicle, property and insurance industries, including with Farmers’ Mutual Group,[2] and served as national president of the Royal Agricultural Society for four years until 2002.
[6] As at June 2020, McKelvie served as the Patron of the Manawatū chapter of the equestrian charity Riding for the Disabled.
[7] McKelvie was named as the National Party candidate for the Rangitīkei electorate following the announcement by sitting member Simon Power of his retirement from politics.
[11] Following the formation of a Labour-led coalition government, McKelvie served as the National Party's spokesperson on seniors' and veterans' issues between 3 November 2017 and 12 March 2018.
This amendment means that low-level offences involving dogs including animal cruelty will be heard by a justice of the peace or community magistrate rather than going through the district courts.
[9] He was also chairperson of the governance and administration committee and, on 1 March 2022, was appointed as an additional Assistant Speaker, to serve while the House is sitting with MPs participating remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic.
[22][23] His successor in Rangitikei was the National Party candidate Suze Redmayne, who had been a staff member in McKelvie's office.
[24] McKelvie has generally conservative views but has on occasion adopted more liberal positions on legislation that required a conscience vote.