Luamanuvao Winnie Laban

The Honourable Luamanuvao Winnie Laban QSO
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

• Official Labour Party page

References

1. "Official Count Results – Mana". Elections NZ. Retrieved 19 November 2010.
2. Nichols, Mary (27 September 2013). "The road to Erskine College". The Wellingtonian. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
3. School Ties: Wellington Girls' College alumnae newsletter. Issue 16, December 2012. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
4. "Official Count Results – Mana". Chief Electoral Office. 1 October 2005. Archived from the original on 11 October 2007. Retrieved 30 December 2007.
5. "Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban". New Zealand Parliament. Retrieved 19 November 2010.
6. "Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Amendment Bill". New Zealand Parliament. Retrieved 10 December 2009.
7. "Member's Bill a step forward for mental health". Scoop Media. 10 December 2009. Retrieved 10 December 2009.
8. "Laban resignation to force Mana by-election". Three News. 10 August 2010. Retrieved 10 August 2010.