Kris Faafoi

Kris Faafoi
MP
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Mana
Incumbent
Assumed office
2010
Preceded by Luamanuvao Winnie Laban
Majority 1,406
Personal details
Nationality  New Zealand
Political party Labour
Spouse(s) Gina Faafoi-Rogers
Children one son (born 2008)
Profession Journalist

Kris Faafoi (born 1976) is a New Zealand politician for the Labour Party. He represents the Mana electorate in the New Zealand Parliament.

Contents

Early life and family

Faafoi's parents are from the Tokelau atoll of Fakaofo.[1] He grew up in Christchurch. Faafoi was married to Gina Faafoi-Rogers, who is a producer with Radio New Zealand. They have a son George (born 2008).[2][3]

Professional career

Faafoi trained as a journalist. He worked for the BBC and as a political commentator.[1][4] Prior to the Mana by-election, he was the chief press secretary for Labour leader Phil Goff, and the Rongotai Pacific branch chair of the Labour Party.[5]

Mana by-election

After the resignation of Mana MP Winnie Laban on 10 August 2010,[6] Faafoi was chosen to represent the Labour Party in the resulting by-election, which was set for 20 November.[7][8] Four people contesting the selection, with Faafoi defeating business manager Michael Evans, barrister Peter Foster and communications adviser Josie Pagani.[4] During the campaign, he was criticised for a campaign brochure stating, "I had a great start because my family settled in Mana," implying that he grew up in the electorate despite being raised in Christchurch.[2]

Parliament of New Zealand
Years Term Electorate List Party
2010–2011 49th Mana Labour
2011–present 50th Mana 41 Labour

Faafoi won the by-election with 10,980 votes (46.4%), becoming the first MP of Tokelauan descent.[2] Hekia Parata from the National Party was placed second and received 9,574 (41.6%), giving Faafoi a margin of 1,080 votes (4.82%).[9] This was a significant decrease of Laban's majority of 6,155 (17.7%) at the 2008 general election.[10]

References

  1. ^ a b "About me". Labour Party. http://labour.org.nz/mana. Retrieved 19 November 2010. 
  2. ^ a b c "Labour's Kris Faafoi wins Mana by-election". New Zealand Herald. 20 November 2010. 
  3. ^ Small, Vernon (22 November 2010). "Mana's man Faafoi straight into 2011 campaign". Stuff. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/4370528/Manas-man-Faafoi-straight-into-2011-campaign. Retrieved 22 November 2010. 
  4. ^ a b New Zealand Press Association (18 September 2010). "Labour picks former journalist for Mana seat". Television New Zealand. http://tvnz.co.nz/politics-news/labour-picks-former-journalist-mana-seat-3785060. Retrieved 19 November 2010. 
  5. ^ "Candidate is Kris Faafoi". Newstalk ZB. 18 September 2010. http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdetail1.asp?storyID=182579. Retrieved 19 November 2010. 
  6. ^ Watkins, Tracy (10 August 2010). "By-election as Labour's Winnie Laban leaves Parliament". Stuff.co.nz. Archived from the original on 10 August 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5rs6JqZuX. Retrieved 10 August 2010. 
  7. ^ Phil Goff (10 August 2010). "Luamanuvao Winnie Laban to stand down" (Press release). New Zealand Labour Party. Archived from the original on 10 August 2010. http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1008/S00160/luamanuvao-winnie-laban-to-stand-down.htm. Retrieved 10 August 2010. 
  8. ^ Andrea Vance (4 October 2010). "Mana byelection set for Nov 20". Stuff.co.nz. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/4195724/Mana-byelection-set-for-Nov-20. Retrieved 4 October 2010. 
  9. ^ "By-Election Results -- Mana". Electoral Commission. http://www.electionresults.govt.nz/2010_mana_byelection/electorate-21.html. Retrieved 21 November 2010. 
  10. ^ "Official Count Results – Mana". Elections New Zealand. 22 November 2008. http://www.electionresults.govt.nz/2010_mana_byelection/electorate-21.html. Retrieved 21 November 2010. 
Parliament of New Zealand
Preceded by
Luamanuvao Winnie Laban		 Member of Parliament for Mana
2010–present		 Incumbent
Party leaders
Names in bold served as
prime minister of New Zealand

Harry Holland (1919-33) · Michael Joseph Savage (1933-40) · Peter Fraser (1940-50) · Walter Nash (1950-63) · Arnold Nordmeyer (1963-65) · Norman Kirk (1965-74) · Bill Rowling (1974-82) · David Lange (1982-89) · Geoffrey Palmer (1989-90) · Mike Moore (1990-93) · Helen Clark (1993-2008) · Phil Goff (2008-2011) · David Shearer (2011-)
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Leader: David Shearer (Mount Albert) · Deputy Leader: Grant Robertson (Wellington Central)
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