Introduction
Munokoa Poto Williams MP (born 7 January 1962) is a member of Parliament for the New Zealand Labour Party since the 2013 Christchurch East by-election. After Alfred Ngaro she is the second Cook Islander elected to the Parliament.
Early life and education
Williams, who is of Cook Island descent, was born in Wellington and grew up in Auckland, where she attended Beresford Street School and Auckland Girls' Grammar. Williams graduated from Southern Cross University in New South Wales, Australia with an MBA and as of the start of 2014 was completing a doctorate on Pacific women's leadership.
Professional career
Williams has worked for the Ministry of Education, BirthRight, Healthcare NZ and disability agencies. She moved from Auckland to Christchurch's suburb of New Brighton in January 2013 to take up a position as regional manager of the St John of God Hauora Trust. She resigned from that role during the election campaign so that she could focus "110%" on the election.
Political career
| Parliament of New Zealand | ||||
| Years | Term | Electorate | List | Party |
| 2013–2014 | 50th | Christchurch East | Labour | |
| 2014–present | 51st | Christchurch East | 28 | Labour |
Williams first got politically involved through making submissions on family violence and child welfare issues, which she has a strong interest in. She has served as a member of the Community Child Protection Review Panel, was involved in the Waitakere Community Law Service and Community Waitakere, and was part of the Living Wage Campaign and the LIFEWISE Big Sleepout.
Williams won the 2013 Christchurch East by-election with a "whopping" 61 per cent of the vote, delivering a "crushing victory". On 28 January 2014, Williams was sworn in as a Member of the House of Representatives.