Labour Party

Former parliamentary roles

• Member, Commerce Committee
• Associate Spokesperson, Education 1990-1993
• Associate Spokesperson, Employment 1990-1993
• Spokesperson, Broadcasting and Communications 1990-1993
• Member, Standing Orders Committee 29 November 1990-27 January 1992
• Member, Broadcasting Committee 29 November 1990-30 September 1993
• Member, Education and Science Committee 1 March 1991-30 September 1993
• Member, Justice and Law Reform Committee 17 February 1993-30 September 1993
• Member, Labour Committee 22 December 1993-6 September 1996
• Spokesperson, Labour Relations 1994-1996
• Associate Spokesperson, Education (Tertiary Education) 1996-1999
• Spokesperson, Social Welfare and Employment 1996-1999
• Member, Social Services Committee 4 March 1997-18 October 1999
• Minister Responsible for the Community and Voluntary Sector 10 December 1999-15 August 2002
• Minister of Social Services and Employment 10 December 1999-19 May 2003
• Associate Minister of Education (Tertiary Education) 10 December 1999-21 December 2004
• Acting Minister of Broadcasting 23 February 2001-27 March 2001
• Member, Cabinet Education and Health Committee 2002-2005
• Chairperson, Cabinet Social Equity Committee 2002-2005
• Minister Responsible for the Tertiary Education Commission 15 August 2002-21 December 2004
• Acting Minister of Housing 3 February 2003-19 May 2003
• Minister of Housing 19 May 2003-19 October 2005
• Minister for Social Development and Employment 19 May 2003-19 October 2005
• Minister of Youth Affairs 21 December 2004-19 October 2005
• Minister of Broadcasting 15 October 2002-31 October 2007
• Minister of Research, Science and Technology 21 December 2004-31 October 2007
• Minister for Crown Research Institutes 21 December 2004-31 October 2007
• Minister of Education 19 October 2005-31 December 2007
• Minister responsible for the Education Review Office 19 October 2005-31 October 2007
• Member, Primary Production Committee 7 November 2007-3 October 2008
• Member, Social Services Committee 7 November 2007-3 October 2008

Education/qualifications

• BA
• MA (Hons) in Sociology

Career

• Author, media and cultural studies, social change
• Former Lecturer, Business Administration
• Former Senior Lecturer in Sociology, Massey University
• Member for Palmerston North 27 October 1990-3 October 2008

Party activities

• Chairperson, Labour Electorate Committee, Palmerston North
• Member, Labour Party Policy Council

Leisure activities

Road cycling, music, social and political theory, travel, spectator sports