Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki
Anahila Lose Kanongata'a-Suisuiki JP (born 1969) is a New Zealand politician and Member of Parliament in the House of Representatives for the Labour Party.
Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki | |
|---|---|
 Kanongata'a-Suisuiki in August 2017 | |
| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Labour party list | |
| Assumed office 23 September 2017 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1969 (age 51–52) Tonga |
| Political party | Labour |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | University of Auckland |
Early life and career
Kanongata'a-Suisuiki was born in Tonga. When she was a child her single mother went to work in New Zealand, leaving her children in the custody of her father. When her mother and stepfather became permanent residents, she came to New Zealand in 1980 and settled in a state house in Onehunga.[1] Kanongata'a-Suisuiki later worked as a senior executive at the Ministry of Social Development and was on the national executive of P.A.C.I.F.I.C.A Incorporated.[2]
Political career
| New Zealand Parliament | ||||
| Years | Term | Electorate | List | Party |
| 2017–2020 | 52nd | List | 37 | Labour |
| 2020–present | 53rd | List | 44 | Labour |
Kanongata'a-Suisuiki stood for election unsuccessfully at both the 2011 election and 2014 election as a list-only candidate.[3][4] She stood again at the 2017 election and was elected via Labour's party list. She was placed 37 on the party list.[5]
In the 2020 New Zealand general election, she contested the Papakura electorate, challenging Judith Collins, the Leader of the Opposition.[6] Kanongata'a-Suisuiki lost to Collins by a final margin of 5,583 votes.[7] However, she returned to Parliament on the Labour Party list.[8]
References
- "Meet the backbencher: Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki". The New Zealand Herald. 2 January 2018. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
- "National Executive". P.A.C.I.F.I.C.A Inc. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
- "Labour Party List 2011" (Press release). New Zealand Labour Party. Scoop. 10 April 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2011.
- "Labour List for the 2014 Election Announced" (Press release). New Zealand Labour Party. Scoop. 23 June 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
- "Revised Labour Party List for the 2017 Election". Scoop. 15 August 2017. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
- Forbes, Steve (27 July 2020). "Election 2020: Labour backbencher's David and Goliath battle with 'Crusher' Collins". The New Zealand Herald.
- "Papakura – Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
- "2020 General Election and Referendums – Official Result Successful Candidates". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 12 November 2020.