Current parliamentary roles

• Member, Health Committee
• Spokesperson, Health

Former parliamentary roles

• Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister of Employment 24 August 1987-14 August 1989
• Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister of Social Welfare 24 August 1987-14 August 1989
• Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister of Tourism 24 August 1987-14 August 1989
• Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister of Youth Affairs 24 August 1987-14 August 1989
• Minister assisting the Prime Minister to liaise between Cabinet and Caucus 14 August 1989-2 November 1990
• Minister of Employment 14 August 1989-2 November 1990
• Minister of Youth Affairs 14 August 1989-2 November 1990
• Minister of Immigration 9 February 1990-2 November 1990
• Minister for Racing 10 December 1999-15 August 2002
• Minister of Health 10 December 1999-19 October 2005
• Minister for Food Safety 1 July 2002-5 November 2007
• Associate Minister of Defence 19 October 2005-5 November 2007
• Coordinating Minister, Race Relations 19 October 2005-5 November 2007
• Associate Minister of Trade 19 October 2005-5 November 2007
• Minister for State Services 19 October 2005-5 November 2007
• Minister of Police 19 October 2005-19 November 2008
• Minister of Transport 3 May 2006-19 November 2008
• Minister of Justice 5 November 2007-19 November 2008
• Minister Responsible for the Law Commission 5 November 2007-19 November 2008
• Member, Social Services Committee 9 December 2008-21 July 2010
• Spokesperson, Social Development 20 November 2008-3 February 2011
• Deputy Leader 28 November 2008-13 December 2011
• Spokesperson, Social Policy 3 February 2011-19 December 2011
• Spokesperson, Housing 19 December 2011-25 February 2013
• Spokesperson, Local Government 19 December 2011-25 February 2013
• Member, Local Government and Environment Committee 21 December 2011-27 February 2013

Personal details

Born in Murchison. Married with one daughter and three step-sons

Education/qualifications

• BA, Waikato University
• Diploma in Dental Nursing
• Post Graduate Diploma in Dental Nursing

Career

• Dental Nurse 1967-1981
• Tutor, School of Dental Nurses, Wellington 1982-1984
• Member for Horowhenua 14 July 1984-10 September 1990
• Chief Executive, Palmerston North Enterprise Board 1991-1993
• Member for Miramar 6 November 1993-12 October 1996
• Member for Rongotai 12 October 1996-

Community activities

• Former Vice President, State Dental Nurses Institute
• Trustee, Disabled Persons Assembly Trust 1989-1991
• Trustee, Olive Tree Retirement Village Trust 1992-

Party activities

• Gold Badge Member, New Zealand Labour Party
• Member, Labour Party Executive 1991-1992
• Caucus member, New Zealand Labour Party Policy Council
• Caucus representative, New Zealand Labour Party Moderating Committee 1996-

Leisure activities

Enjoys reading, films, theatre, walking