Tama Potaka
MP | |
---|---|
Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Hamilton West | |
Assumed office 10 December 2022 | |
Preceded by | Gaurav Sharma |
Majority | 2,433 |
17th Minister of Conservation | |
Assumed office 27 November 2023 | |
Prime Minister | Christopher Luxon |
Preceded by | Willow-Jean Prime |
46th Minister for Māori Development | |
Assumed office 27 November 2023 | |
Prime Minister | Christopher Luxon |
Preceded by | Willie Jackson |
Personal details | |
Born | Tama William Potaka 8 January 1976 Raetihi, New Zealand |
Political party | National |
Spouse |
Ariana Paul (m. 2008) |
Children | 3 |
Alma mater | Victoria University of Wellington Columbia University |
Tama William Potaka (born 1976) is a New Zealand politician and
Early life and family
Potaka was born in
Potaka is a graduate of Te Panekiretanga o Te Reo Māori[5]
Potaka married Ariana Paul in 2008, and they have three children.[1][2]
Potaka worked for Rudd, Watts and Stone (now
Political career
Years | Term | Electorate | Party | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022–2023 | 53rd | Hamilton West | National | ||
2023–present | 54th | Hamilton West | 24 | National |
On 6 November 2022, Potaka was selected as the National Party candidate for the 2022 Hamilton West by-election caused by the resignation of independent MP Gaurav Sharma who had been expelled from the Labour Party.[8] During the by-election campaign, Potaka stated that Hamilton had become known as the "ramraid capital of New Zealand" in response to the nationwide surge in ram raids in 2022. He also said that he wanted "Hamilton West to be the best city to grow up and grow old in."[9]
On 10 December 2022, Potaka won the election, beating Labour candidate Georgie Dansey. Potaka gained 6974 votes compared to Dansey's 4541, a margin of 2433.[10]
On 19 January 2023, Potaka was named as National's spokesperson for Māori development and associate spokesperson for housing.[11][12]
During the 2023 New Zealand general election held on 14 October, Potaka retained Hamilton West by a margin of 6,488 votes over Labour candidate Myra Williamson.[13] Following the formation of the Sixth National Government of New Zealand, Potaka was appointed as Minister of Conservation, Minister for Māori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti, Minister for Māori Development, Minister for Whānau Ora, and Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) [14]
On 15 January 2024, Potaka and Prime Minister
References
- ^ a b c d e f Husband, Dale (9 October 2022). "Tama Potaka: For Māori, there's no economy without identity and society". E-Tangata. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
- ^ NZME. Archived from the originalon 25 April 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
- ^ "Our team: Ariana Paul". The Southern Initiative. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
- ^ a b Mathers, Joanna (19 July 2015). "Getting our dux in a row". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
- ^ "Wh2019 Ep36 Panekiretanga Ep2". YouTube.
- ^ "Alumni journeys – Tama Potaka". Leadership New Zealand. 22 September 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
- ^ Jacobsen, Lavinia (19 November 2021). "Negotiators Appointed for Mōkai Pātea Waitangi Claims Trust". Mōkai Pātea Waitangi Claims Trust. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
- ^ Franke-Bowell, Jonah (6 November 2022). "Tama Potaka announced as National's pick to contest Hamilton West by-election". Stuff. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
- ^ Franke-Bowell, Jonah (17 November 2022). "National would bring back military boot camps for young offenders". Stuff. Archived from the original on 19 November 2022. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
- ^ Le Quesne, Karl. "Results of the 2022 Hamilton West By-election Official Count". New Zealand Gazette. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
- ^ Ward, Stephen (19 January 2023). "Hamilton's Tama Potaka picks up Māori development and social housing roles for National". Waikato Times. Stuff. Archived from the original on 19 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ New Zealand National Party (19 January 2023). "Luxon Sets Out Team To Contest The 2023 Election". Scoop. Archived from the original on 19 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ "Hamilton West - Official Result". Electoral Commission. 3 November 2023. Archived from the original on 23 November 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
- ^ "Who gets what? List of New Zealand's new ministers". 1 News. TVNZ. 24 November 2023. Archived from the original on 23 November 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
- ^ Hurihanganui, Te Aniwa (16 January 2024). "More details emerge from Luxon's meeting with Māori King". 1 News. TVNZ. Archived from the original on 16 January 2024. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
- ^ Pearse, Adam (20 January 2024). "Hui's white supremacy claims against government 'premature', says National minister Tama Potaka". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 21 January 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2024.