Hon Tariana Turia
Co-leader of the Māori Party
Member for Te tai Hauauru
Minister for Whanau Ora
Minister for Disability Issues
Associate Minister of Housing
Associate Minister of Social Development
Associate Minister of Health
Parliamentary history: First elected 1996-1999 as a Labour List MP. Labour MP for Te Tai Hauauru July 2002-May 2004. On the 10th July 2004 elected Member of Parliament for Te Tai Hauauru, under the authority of the Maori Party.
Ministerial History:
1999
Tariana was a Minister of State, in these areas: Associate Minister of Maori Affairs (Social Development); Associate Minister of Corrections; Associate Minister of Health; Associate Minister of Housing and Associate Minister of Social Services and Employment (Social Services).
2002
In 2002, Tariana was given the responsibility of Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, as well as retaining Associate Ministerials in Maori Affairs, Health, Housing and Social Services. On 17 May 2004, Tariana resigned from the Labour Government in response to the proposed Foreshore and Seabed Bill.
2008
In 2008 Tariana was made a Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, Associate Minister of Health and Associate Minister of Social Development and Employment. In 2009 Tariana was also made the Minister for Disability Issues
2012
In 2012 Tariana received the delegation of Minister for Whanau Ora.
Other Parliamentary History: Prior to the 1999 elections, Tariana was a List MP with the portfolios of Maori Health and Youth Issues, she was also a permanent member of the Maori Affairs Select Committee. She has also been a member of the Primary Production Select Committee, and the Labour Party Maori Caucus.
Other Professional History: Former Chief Executive of Te Oranganui Iwi Health Authority (the longest and largest Maori Health Service provider in the Central Region); Service broker for Te Puni Kokiri (Whanganui Office) 1993-95; Manager Whaioranga Iwi Social Services Unit, 1991; Manager Whanganui Regional Development Board Trust, 1989. Worked in the head office of Maori Afairs and Southern Regional co-ordinator for Maori Access training programmes. Tariana was also a member of an evaluation team for first pilot cervical screening project for Maori women; a member of two task forces to establish kura kaupapa Maori and member of a team that established the Te Awa Youth Trust (the first marae based training establishment in 1980).
Personal History:
Iwi affiliations: Ngāti Apa, Ngā Rauru, Tūwharetoa, Whanganui
Whānau: Married to Hori for 42 years. Six children, 24 mokopuna, five mokopuna tuarua
Spokesperson Roles:
Community and Voluntary Sector
Disability Issues
Health
Housing
Social Development
Child, Youth and Family
Women's Affairs;
Seniors Citizen's Affairs
Children's Affairs