Hon Peeni Henare

Hon Peeni Henare is the Member of Parliament for Tāmaki Makaurau, and is of Ngāti Hine and Ngāpuhi descent. Peeni has had the privilege of being the Minister of Defence and Minister for Whānau Ora, as well as several Associate Minister roles. Prior to politics Peeni worked as a businessman, broadcaster and teacher.

Politics and public service is in his blood: his father was Erima Henare, who was head of the Māori Language Commission; his grandfather was Sir James Henare, a lieutenant colonel in the Māori Battalion, member of Te Rūnanga o te Tiriti o Waitangi, and Commander of the British Empire (CBE); and his great-grandfather Taurekareka (Tau) Henare was also a Member of Parliament, for the former electorate Northern Māori from 1914 to 1938.