Preceded by Tutekawa Wyllie Role New Zealand Politician Nationality New Zealand Party New Zealand Labour Party | Political party Labour Succeeded by Rahui Katene Name Mahara Okeroa | |
Profession Teacher, public servant, MP | ||
The New Zealand politician Mahara Okeroa, a member of the Labour Party, represented the voters of the Te Tai Tonga Māori electorate as their Member of Parliament from 1999 to 2008.
Career
Born in Waitara in 1946, Okeroa worked as a teacher before entering politics.
He entered Parliament by defeating the incumbent Tu Wyllie of the New Zealand First Party in the 1999 general election. He served as a Minister of State and Associate Minister of Arts, Culture & Heritage; Conservation and Social Development & Employment in the Clark cabinet.
In the 2008 general election, Rahui Katene of the Māori Party out-polled Okeroa by a margin of 1,049 votes. Okeroa's low party-list placing of 40 meant he did not return as a list Member during the 49th Parliament. Okeroa did not stand in the 2011 General Election and has since been made Chair of the Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust replacing sacked Chair Sir Ngātata Love.