[2] In February 2022 van de Molen fell from a platform, resulting in two broken arms and a fractured spine and rib.

[7][8] From 2009, van de Molen began working as an agribusiness manager with the National Bank of New Zealand, ANZ, and Rabobank.

At the 2017 general election van de Molen sought to replace Lindsay Tisch, who was retiring, as the National Party candidate in the Waikato electorate.

[15] He has been the National Party opposition spokesperson for building and construction, biosecurity, animal welfare, oceans and fisheries, defence, horticulture, veterans, and ACC.

Van de Molen was found in contempt of Parliament and censured; in addition, National leader Christopher Luxon removed him from his portfolios.

[18][19][20] Van de Molen voted in favour of the final reading for the End of Life Choice Bill in 2019, unlike most of his National MP colleagues.