Current parliamentary roles

• Whip
• Member, Business Committee
• Member, Commerce Committee
• Member, Privileges Committee
• Member, Standing Orders Committee

Former parliamentary roles

• Member, Business Committee 8 November 2005-3 October 2008
• Member, Education and Science select committee 9 November 2005-16 April 2008
• Member, Standing Orders Committee 15 November 2005-3 October 2008
• Deputy Chairperson, Education and Science Committee 16 April 2008-3 October 2008

Personal details

Born 7 December 1955, Tokoroa, married with five children. Iwi affiliations : Ngapuhi, Ngati Rangiwewehi - Te Arawa

Education/qualifications

• Sunset Intermediate, Rotorua
• St Stephens School, Bombay, Auckland 1969-1973
• Majored in Physical Education and Maori, Auckland Secondary Teachers College 1974-1976
• BA in Maori Studies and Anthropology, University of Auckland 1982-1982
• MA in Maori, Waikato University 1984-1985

Career

• Former Secondary School teacher, Kaikoura High School
• Former Secondary School teacher, Mangere College, Auckland
• Former Secondary School teacher, Fairfield College, Hamilton
• Former Secondary School teacher, Tauhara College, Taupo
• Advisor on Maori Education, Palmerston North College of Education, Taranaki 1989-1990
• Tumu Paetaki, Head of Maori Studies Faculty, Taranaki Polytechnic 1990-1995
• Principal, St. Stephen’s School, Bombay, Auckland 1996-1999
• Chief Executive Officer, Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi 1999-2000
• Dean, Te Pakaro a Ihenga, Faculty of Maori Studies, Design, Health and Education and Social Sciences, Waiariki Institute of Technology, Rotorua 2000-2001
• Contracted Report Writer, Lakeland Health Rotorua 2001-2002
• Director, Te Matakahi Ltd 2001-2004
• Contracted Report Writer, Te Ataarangi Educational Trust 2002-2002
• Contracted Report Writer, Ministry of Education 2002-2003
• Contracted Academic Auditor, New Zealand Polytechnic Programmes Committee 2002-2005
• Contractor, Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi 2003-2003
• Contractor, Te Ataarangi Education Trust 2003-2004
• Contracted Report Writer, Ministry of Education 2003-2004
• Teacher, Bachelor of Teaching programme in te reo Maori and Te Ao Maori papers, Te Wananga o Aotearoa, Rotorua 2004-2004
• Chief Operating Officer, Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi 2004-2005

Community activities

• Participant, Operation Drake International 1979-1979
• Member, Executive Committee, National Association for the Teaching of Maori National 1988-1989
• Member, Working party writing Maori language policy for presentation to Government, Lopdell House, Auckland National 1989-1989
• Chief Examiner, Te Reo Maori - Tuhituhi, School Certificate Maori - Written National 1990-1990
• Kaihautu, Chief Executive Officer, Tino Rangatiratanga Maori Education Authority National 1990-1992
• Executive Member, Tino Rangatiratanga Maori Education Authority National 1990-1995
• Member, Technical Advisory Group, Te Hiringa i te Mahara Project National 1998-1999
• Taranaki delegate, Te Whakaruruhau o Nga Reo Irirangi Maori - National Maori Broadcasters Association National 1992-1995
• Chairperson, Nga Tai i Te Reinga, Hikoi against the Seabed and Foreshore Bill National 2004-2005
• Member, Auckland Teacher's College Maori Club Regional 1974-1976
• Member, Auckland University Maori Club Regional 1974-1976
• Member, Te Roopu Manutaki Regional 1975-1975
• Tutor, Auckland Teachers College Maori Club Regional 1976-1976
• Member, Auckland Anglican Maori Club, NZ Polynesian Festival Regional 1982-1983
• Tutor, Fairfield College Maori Club Regional 1983-1984
• Tutor, Tauhara College Maori Club Regional 1986-1986
• Member, marking panel, School Certificate Maori - Written, Stella Maris, Wellington Regional 1989-1991
• Member, Working party for Te Reo Maori - Tuhituhi Regional 1989-1991
• Coordinator, Tino Rangatiratanga ki Taranaki Regional 1990-1995
• Leader, working party to set up Te Korimako o Taranaki 94.8FM, New Plymouth Regional 1991-1992
• Delegate, North Taranaki Tino Rangatiratanga Unit of Kohanga Reo Regional 1992-1993
• Talkback host, Te Korimako o Taranaki 94.8 FM Regional 1992-1995
• Chairperson, Management Committee of Te Korimako o Taranaki Regional 1993-1995
• Chairperson, Te Pou Tiringa Regional 1994-1995
• CEO, Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi Regional 1998-2000
• Member, Marae Committee, Ngati Rangiwewehi Regional 1999-2002
• Chairperson, Ngati Rangiwewehi Education Trust Regional 1999-2002
• Member, Te Ara ki te Reo Maori Early Childhood Centre Regional 2000-2002
• Judge, Te Arawa Festival of Maori Performing Arts Regional 2001-2001
• Secretary, Te Puna Reo o Te Arawa Working Party Regional 2001-2002
• Community Representative appointed by the Minister of Maori Affairs, Te Ropu Tautoko Regional 2001-2005
• Chairperson, Te Ohu Mangai (Board of Trustees), Te Kura Maori o Te Koutu Regional 2003-2003
• Chairperson, Treaty Claims Committee of Ngati Rangiwewehi Regional 2003-2005
• Chairperson, Te Maru o Ngati Rangiwewehi Tribal Authority Regional 2004-2005

Party activities

• Co-Convenor, Maori Party, Rotorua Branch 2004-2004
• Co-Convenor, Maori Party, Waiariki Electorate 2004-2004