Luamanuvao Winnie Laban

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The Honourable
Luamanuvao Winnie Laban
QSO
File:Winnie Laban.jpg
Luamanuvao Winnie Laban
Minister of Pacific Island Affairs
In office
5 November 2007 – 19 November 2008
Prime Minister Helen Clark
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Mana
In office
2002 – 15 October 2010
Preceded by Graham Kelly
Succeeded by Kris Faafoi
Majority 6,155 (2008)[1]
Personal details
Born 1955
Wellington
Nationality  New Zealand
Political party Labour

Luamanuvao Winifred "Winnie" Alexandra Laban QSO (born 1955) is a former New Zealand politician. She was the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Mana electorate, representing the Labour Party. She was the Labour Party's spokesperson for Pacific Island Affairs and spokesperson for Interfaith Dialogue.

Early life and family

Laban was born in Wellington to Samoan parents, and was educated at Erskine College, and Wellington Girls' College from 1969 to 1971.[2][3] Before entering politics she was a family therapist and community development worker, focusing particularly on the Pacific Island community of New Zealand.

Laban graduated with a degree in Social Work from the Victoria University of Wellington and later in Development Studies from Massey University. In 1992 she was bestowed the Samoan matai chiefly title Luamanuvao from the village of Vaiala, Vaimauga, in recognition of her work.

Member of Parliament

Parliament of New Zealand
Years Term Electorate List Party
1999–2002 46th List 33 Labour
2002–2005 47th Mana 20 Labour
2005–2008 48th Mana 20 Labour
2008–2010 49th Mana 11 Labour

Laban was first elected to Parliament in the 1999 election as a list MP, becoming New Zealand's first Pacific Island woman MP. In the 2002 election she successfully contested the Mana electorate, formerly held by Labour MP Graham Kelly. In 2005 she was re-elected by a majority of 6,734 votes[4] She was Minister of Pacific Island Affairs (5 November 2007 – 19 November 2008).[5] Labour was defeated in the 2008 election, depriving Laban of her ministerial role, but Laban retained her electorate seat and most of her majority.[1]

In December 2009 her Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Amendment Bill, which would grant greater rights to the families of those seeking or undergoing treatment, was drawn from the member's ballot.[6][7] The bill was defeated at its first reading.[6]

On 10 August 2010 Laban announced she would resign from Parliament to take up a position as an Assistant Vice-Chancellor at Victoria University of Wellington,[8] leading to a by-election in the Mana electorate. She ceased being a member of parliament on 15 October 2010.[5]

External links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ School Ties: Wellington Girls' College alumnae newsletter. Issue 16, December 2012. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Mana
2002–2010		 Succeeded by
Kris Faafoi
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