Peeni Henare

Henare is a great grandson of Taurekareka Henare, who held the Northern Maori seat between 1914 and 1938.[1] His grandfather was James Henare,[1] who had stood for the National Party in five elections between 1946 and 1963.[2] His father was Erima Henare, who was the head of the Māori Language Commission.

Peeni Henare won the Tāmaki Makaurau electorate ahead of Rangi McLean of the Māori Party in 2014.[3]

Henare was elected as a Minister outside Cabinet by the Labour Party caucus following Labour's formation of a coalition government with New Zealand First and the Greens in 2017.[4] He assumed the portfolio of Minister for Whānau Ora, which falls under the purview of Te Puni Kōkiri (the Ministry for Māori Development).[5][6]

Following a cabinet reshuffle in late June 2019, Henare was appointed as Minister of Civil Defence.[7][8]

During the 2020 general election, Henare retained Tāmaki Makaurau, defeating the Māori Party candidate and co-leader John Tamihere and Green co-leader Marama Davidson. When the official results were released, Henare had a majority of 956,[9] but after the Māori Party requested a recount in Tāmaki Makaurau,[10] Henare's majority fell slightly to 927.[11] In November 2020, Henare was announced as Minister of Defence and Minister for Whānau Ora. He also assumed the health, housing and tourism associate porfolios with responsibility for Māori health and housing.[12][13]