Parekura Horomia | |
|---|---|
 Parekura Horomia in 2008 | |
| 40thMinister of Māori Affairs | |
| In office 26 July 2000 – 19 November 2008 | |
| Prime Minister | Helen Clark |
| Preceded by | Dover Samuels |
| Succeeded by | Pita Sharples |
| Member of theNew Zealand Parliament forIkaroa-Rāwhiti | |
| In office 27 November 1999 – 29 April 2013[1] | |
| Preceded by | New constituency |
| Succeeded by | Meka Whaitiri |
| Majority | 6,541 (60.71%) (at2011 election) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Parekura Tureia Horomia (1950-11-09)9 November 1950 Tolaga Bay, New Zealand |
| Died | 29 April 2013(2013-04-29) (aged 62) Tolaga Bay, New Zealand |
| Party | Labour |
| Committees | Māori Affairs Committee |
Parekura Tureia Horomia (9 November 1950 – 29 April 2013[1]) was aNew Zealand Labour Party politician who served asMinister of Māori Affairs between 2000 and 2008.[2]
Horomia was born inTolaga Bay ofNgāti Porou,Te Aitanga Hauiti,Ngāti Kahungunu andNgāi Tahu descent. He had seven brothers and sisters. As a schoolboy he used to walk five kilometres to school and back without shoes.[3]
In his early life, he worked as amanual labourer, then as aprinter in the newspaper industry. Later, Horomia became involved in the Department of Labour'sEast Coast work schemes and was appointed to supervisory positions—rising to general manager of the Community Employment Group by 1992.[citation needed] At the same time, he began to take on a number of prominent positions with Māori community organisations.[citation needed] In 1990, Horomia was awarded theNew Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal.[4]
| Years | Term | Electorate | List | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999–2002 | 46th | Ikaroa-Rāwhiti | 25 | Labour | |
| 2002–2005 | 47th | Ikaroa-Rāwhiti | 5 | Labour | |
| 2005–2008 | 48th | Ikaroa-Rāwhiti | 5 | Labour | |
| 2008–2011 | 49th | Ikaroa-Rāwhiti | 5 | Labour | |
| 2011–2013 | 50th | Ikaroa-Rāwhiti | 6 | Labour | |
In the1999 election, Horomia stood as theLabour Party candidate for theIkaroa-Rāwhiti electorate, aMāori electorate on the east coast of theNorth Island, stretching fromGisborne toUpper Hutt. He defeatedDerek Fox, a prominent figure in Māori politics, who was standing as an independent candidate.[5]
In the new Labour government formed after that election, Horomia became a minister outside cabinet, being Associate Minister of Māori Affairs, Associate Minister for Economic Development, Associate Minister of Employment, and Associate Minister of Education. In 2000,Dover Samuels was forced to step down as Minister of Māori Affairs after criminal allegations were made against him, and Horomia was appointed in his place. Although Samuels was cleared, it was decided that Horomia would retain the Māori Affairs portfolio.
Labour was defeated in the2008 general election, but Horomia retained his seat – increasing his majority to about 1600. This was despite a challenge from well-known broadcaster Derek Fox.[6]
Horomia played a significant role in setting up Māori Television and expanding the role ofiwi radio in New Zealand. Former Prime Minister Helen Clark said she had frequently relied on his knowledge of Māoridom andMāoritanga and his input was crucial to theForeshore and Seabed legislation, which Labour passed in 2004 while he was minister. After the controversial bill became law, Associate Māori Affairs MinisterTariana Turia resigned from Labour to form theMāori Party. The law was repealed by the National Government in 2011.[7]
Horomia was overweight for much of his life. He talked about his health battles and tried to lose weight many times. In 2004, he went on a public diet to encourage others to do the same.[8] He died at his home on 29 April 2013 at the age of 62.[1][9] As Horomia was an electorate MP,a by-election was held on 29 June 2013 to elect a replacement.[10]
Tributes after his death[1] came from not only his Labour MP colleagues,[11] but also from theNational Government.[12] Labour leader David Shearer cut short a trip to Washington to attend his funeral and said he had "an incredible work ethic, travelling to all parts of the country. He was accepted at pretty much every marae in the country, he was incredibly well-liked, had enormous heart, who worked so hard for his people."[8]
Histangi was held the following week, and the funeral on 4 May.[13]
| New Zealand Parliament | ||
|---|---|---|
| New constituency | Member of Parliament for Ikaroa-Rāwhiti 1999–2013 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Minister of Māori Affairs 2000–2008 | Succeeded by |