Introduction
Peeni Ereatara Gladwyn Henare is a New Zealand Labour Party politician who has been a member of the New Zealand parliament for the Tāmaki Makaurau Māori electorate since the 2014 general election.
Family
Henare is a great grandson of Taurekareka Henare, who held the Northern Maori seat between 1914 and 1938. His grandfather was James Henare, who had stood for the National Party in five elections between 1946 and 1963. His father was Erima Henare, who was the head of the Māori Language Commission.
Political career
| New Zealand Parliament | ||||
| Years | Term | Electorate | List | Party |
| 2014–2017 | 51st | Tāmaki Makaurau | none | Labour |
| 2017–present | 52nd | Tāmaki Makaurau | none | Labour |
Peeni Henare won the Tāmaki Makaurau electorate ahead of Rangi McLean of the Māori Party in 2014.
Henare was elected as a Minister outside Cabinet by the Labour Party caucus following Labour's formation of a coalition government with New Zealand First and the Greens in 2017. He assumed the portfolio of Minister for Whānau Ora, which falls under the purview of Te Puni Kōkiri (the Ministry for Māori Development).
Following a cabinet reshuffle in late June 2019, Henare was appointed as Minister of Civil Defence.